July has felt low-key, but focused. I’ve got my head down in this second draft of my novel (more on that below), and it’s nothing as sensational as seeing The Weeknd at SoFi. That’s okay. This month feels all about sweet and simple summer moments while I work toward my goal of finishing this draft by the end of the season. Here are my July highlights.
The Magic of Signed Books
Author interviews are an easy sell for me; I love a glimpse into how writers make their way to the page and how their books are born. Anyone who has seen an idea through to a published book is a celebrity in my world; to me, it means they’ve put their heart on the line and, depending on their publishing journey, beat the gatekeepers at their own game. That takes guts and savvy.
When a dear friend,
, invited me to see speak about her latest book, Proof of Life, at bookstore, it was an easy yes. Let me tell you, Jennifer Pastiloff is a delight. She is hilarious, but it’s her openness and the way she embraces her human journey that make you want to say, “Can we be friends?” And she writes right here on Substack! Go check her out.At the end of the evening, I went home with a signed copy of Proof of Life, which I found thrilling—because signed books are magical! When an author signs their work, it feels like a full-circle moment, reminding us that, even with all the people it takes to get a book into the world—agents and editors and marketing teams, etc.—the stories we share come from our hearts. In a world with AI, a book signed by the author is a gorgeous reminder that, even if AI can spit out something similar in a fraction of the time, the books written by real people are, and will remain, far more interesting to me.
So far, I own three signed books: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, Dreaming on the Page by
, and now Proof of Life by . I think I’ve realized something about myself: if I ever start a collection, books signed by the author may be my thing, with the caveat that they are books I have either enjoyed or intend to read. Along with Substack subscriptions, a signed copy is a pretty solid strategy to sell me your book.
Books I’ve read recently
I’ve read and listened to a good mix of books since my boys got out of school. I’m trying to make the most of the slow summer days and getting lost in stories. That “just one more page” feeling never gets old.
Garden
I love my summer garden! It has provided gorgeous salads, and the tomatoes are ripening in droves. The cucumbers are a little slower, but we’ve had enough to make a batch of dill pickles. If you’re a fan, I have a wonderful, quick recipe to share with you.
Longest Puzzle Ever
I have been working on this puzzle since before school ended in June. I’ve written before about why I usually have a puzzle going at any given time, but I usually complete them at a faster pace. This one isn’t any harder than the others; I think I’m just in summer mode. Fortunately, I’m still enjoying it.
Novel Updates
I’ve tackled about 60,000 words in my second draft. Ahead of schedule—again! Early morning writing sessions and quiet afternoons are paving the way for steady progress. Currently, my total word count is just under 90,000, so my goal for August is to get through the final 30,000 words.
At that point, I will regroup before diving into a third pass. I’m still not ready to share the manuscript, but it is definitely taking shape, which is very motivating. I would love to have a readable draft before the end of the year to share with beta readers for early feedback.
Creative Reset
If you write here on Substack, you may have noticed a change in the vibe. Growth and discoverability seem slower, which feels appropriate for summer, as if everyone has left the city, bound for the shore. Honestly, this slowdown feels in line with my creative energy.
Recently, one of my favorite Substack writers,
pointed out the difference between procrastination and avoidance, as well as the value of planned breaks from our work. I’m grateful for this reminder because, for me, procrastination is usually a sign that I am burned out on some level and that a break is in order.In the same week, one of my favorite Substackers,
released a mini Creative Reset course. Which is truly mini and very affordable! It feels timely, yet another reminder that it’s good to step back and center ourselves sometimes.In the spirit of this season, I will be taking a tiny break from Dream Big. I’ll still be here on Substack, happily catching up on reading and connecting with some of my favorite creatives. My next post is scheduled for August 15, which is three weeks from now.
In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you! Any July highlights of your own to share? Drop them in the comments.❤️
Thanks for being here.☀️
What a wonderful summery post! You got me thinking of the few signed books in my collection which I also treasure. I did a totally embarrassing fan girl thing when I was lucky enough to briefly met @SusannahCahalan and she kindly signed my copy of Brain on Fire. My toes still curl at the memory of my nervous jabbering while thrusting the book at her. Such a brilliant read and a fascinating medical mystery. And one of the books that inspired me to write my own memoir about my own battle with flesh-eating bacteria.
love this summer sum-up; love you!