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What I Read in Q1 with Draft #4 Coming Soon!


Each of the seven books I read in the first quarter of 2024 has given me writing insights I will be bringing to the fourth draft of my upcoming novel.


I've never, in my entire life, read seven books in ninety days. Just a few years ago, that would have been absurd for me to even contemplate. One book a month would be have a big accomplishment. More than two; not gonna happen.


Below is the list of the seven books I read, six novels and one non-fiction that read like fiction.


Before you get to my reading list below you may be interested to learn that I had my second coaching session with my editor. After reviewing the answers to her questions and concerns from our first coaching and my updated story plan and plot points, she gave me the go ahead to write the fourth draft. And, to begin getting feedback on my writing prose.


I'm targeting Draft #4 to be complete by April 30th. It's aggressive. To write 85,000 words in thirty days will take a serious daily writing commitment. With the positive feedback from my editor I'm excited to jump in.


What this means for is that if you are in the Beta Reader Program you may be getting a request from me when I reach by first 20,000 words. That's my 25% feedback trigger where I will learn from you what you like and don't like and hear your suggestions to make it an even better, more compelling story with characters you care about. So stay tuned.


If you're not yet in the Beta Reader program yet, and would like to, click here to learn more and join me on the journey.


Here's my Q1 reading list. Have you read any of these? If so, feel free to leave a comment or question below to keep our conversation going:


  1. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (1865)

  2. Prequel by Rachel Maddow (2024)

  3. Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano (2023)

  4. The Bridge by D. Keith Mano (1974)

  5. The Manchurian Candidate by Richard Condon (1959)

  6. The Mothers by Brit Bennett (2016)

  7. When She Woke by Hillary Jordan (2011)


That's my list, what's yours?


Thanks for reading, 'til next time...





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2 Kommentare

Trista Polo
Trista Polo
03. Apr.

I would love to know why you chose these 7 books specifically?

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skipweisman41
03. Apr.
Antwort an

Thanks for your question, each had a different reason behind it:

  1. Alice: In my comprehensive fiction writing coaching program there is a course called "The Classics." There are 90-daily lessons. It was all about the classics of literature and evaluated their impact on fiction over the millenia. A lot was written about mythology and fairy tales. I read little of either as a child and thought I needed some insights. Lewis Carroll's book has had a huge influence on all genres of fiction over the decades so i thought I should read it.

  2. Prequel: I'm fascinated by the rise of Hitler and fascism in Europe after WWI and have studied WWI & WWII extensively. With today's political climate in the…

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