This month marks 12 years(!) since The Genesis Code’s original release–and something like 17 years or so since I began writing it. I’d written short stories–had some of them published–before I started on The Genesis Code. I wanted to get a feel for the process with a smaller number of words to wrangle. Even so, I remember plotting/outlining/drafting it. I often felt like I was out on the ocean in a rowboat without any navigation tools! But I finally got it done, wrapped it up right before starting law school. I (correctly) presumed I’d better wrap it up because I’d have time for little else during law school.

Darkfuse originally published The Genesis Code, and I kicked my writing back into gear (I’d done nothing but legal writing during/since law school at that point). Wrote/published a number of novels/novellas with Darkfuse in that time. Darkfuse closed down, then Crossroad Press re-released all my Darkfuse titles and released a couple of new titles as well (Down the Brink and Scorched Earth). Somewhere along the way, I self-published a novella (Moon Over Ruin) that had originally been solicited by another publisher.

I took a little break from writing after my latest novel, Scorched Earth, came out. Started my current work-in-progress in late 2019. Decided to try “pantsing” it for a change (I’m a devout outliner). That was a huge mistake. Between the pandemic and the lack of a roadmap for the plot, the manuscript grew at a snail’s pace. It was hard for me to pick up and work on it when I didn’t have a clue what was happening next. Some writers can do that, and they do it well (I’m looking at you, Allan Leverone). I’m admitting here and now, that ain’t me.

I think it was sometime last summer, I picked the manuscript up yet again and came to that conclusion. I needed to stop and outline or it would never get done. It’s made all the difference. Yeah, it’s not done yet. I retired earlier this year, and am adjusting to a very different rhythm, catching up on neglected tasks around the house and all. Now I am within spitting distance of the end of the first draft, which is the hardest part, so that’s good!

Anniversaries always make me reflect on things, and so Genesis’s 12-year anniversary prompted me to take a look back at its origin, what I’ve done since, and where things are now in my writing life. I’ve been quiet for a while, but I’m not gone!

Thanks for reading…

Lisa