Writing Aside: How I Spend My Time Between Projects by Donna Carbone

I retired from full time teaching in June–my other full time job when I’m not writing. For the past five years, I’ve been anticipating this decision to tip the scale toward writing more and teaching less. 

True to my nature as an organized plotter, I meticulously outline my writing at the onset, always knowing full well where I want the story to end. In life, I’m not much different. As retirement approached, I began building a couple of side businesses that marry my writing and teaching skills. My plan was simple: start slow, establish a solid foundation, and if I found myself with too much time on my hands between writing projects, I could expand them.  

I don’t like to be idle. I thrive on structure, purpose and having meaningful work to do. 

With teaching in the rear view mirror, I find myself between novels. My last, Of Lies and Honey, was published two years ago, and I’m grateful that it continues to find new readers. Currently, I’m awaiting line editing notes for my upcoming novel, The Echoing Past, with a release date still to be determined. At the same time, I also finished the first draft of book four.

Typically, I write for a couple of hours each weekday morning. These mornings have been focused on revising and strengthening book four before it heads to my critique partners and beta readers. Once I’ve finished my writing for the day, I shift into my other author roles.

Just after releasing my debut novel All That is Sacred in 2023, another debut author and I decided to start a podcast. Our goal was to teach writers what we learned the hard way to clear their path for success. I had no idea, then, that Authors Talking Bookish would grow into its fourth season, become monetized, earn outstanding ratings and receive three awards. 

During the hours I now designate as my workday, I connect with potential podcast guests, plan future episodes and write show notes. I especially enjoy creating the more instructional episodes because it allows me to call upon my teacher skills. We’ve even incorporated a “Do Now” segment for each episode–a term I borrowed from teaching. Essentially, each activity encourages writers to take something they learned from the episode to implement into their own writing.

Because I enjoy the teaching aspect so much, I decided to launch my own book coach and editing business, The Writer’s Page. I love to meet writers where they are in their work and help them move confidently to the next level.

Sometimes that means hosting a brainstorm session over Zoom; sometimes it’s providing detailed editorial feedback in a report or directly on a draft. Having walked the path myself, I’m able to offer more than technical guidance. I can also provide encouragement, reassurance, and perspective from someone who understands the emotional arc of writing a book. 

Paying it forward has become very important to me throughout my journey to publication. Writing can be a solitary endeavor, but it doesn’t have to be. Building a strong writing community is essential at every stage of a writer’s career, especially for those just beginning. If I can help another writer find confidence in their voice and move one step closer to their publishing dream, then I’m spending my time between projects exactly as I intend.

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Donna Norman-Carbone is the author of two award-winning novels, Of Lies and Honey and All That is Sacred, both published by Red Adept Publishing. Known for crafting emotionally resonant women’s fiction, she explores the lives of women navigating life’s most difficult seasons and emerging stronger on the other side. In addition to her novels, Donna’s poetry and articles on the craft of writing have appeared in various publications.

Beyond her own writing, Donna is passionate about helping others tell their stories. She is the creator and co-host of Authors Talking Bookish, a podcast for writers and readers alike, and works as a writing coach, guiding aspiring and established writers through the writing process. A proud member of WFWA, CAPA, and the Authors Guild, Donna is deeply connected to the writing community.

OF LIES AND HONEY

Winner: Jack Eadon Memorial Award for Best Book in Contemporary Drama, 2024 Reader Views
1st place: Women’s Fiction and Women’s Historical Fiction, 2024 The BookFest Awards
1st place: Women’s Fiction, 2024 Literary Global Book Awards

“Norman-Carbone has her finger on the pulse of women’s fiction and its long-lasting appeal. Her writing encompasses generational and cultural trends, expectations, and choices. The author’s gift for creating realistic characters with descriptive detail keeps you deeply involved in the women’s stories as they unfold individually and then converge at The Covenant House.” Reader Views

Harper Alexander is devastated by a miscarriage even though she thought she never wanted to be a mother. Because of her husband’s determination to create a family and her inability to carry a child to term, they consider alternative options.

As the result of a secret love affair, Callie Sebastian becomes pregnant. Her socialite mother is appalled by her teenage daughter’s behavior. To protect the family’s reputation, she sends Callie to a Catholic boarding school for wayward girls.

When Raina Edwin’s third child starts school, leaving her with an empty house, she begins to long for another baby. Unfortunately, their farm will not support a new addition to their family. To fill the void, Raina starts a new business: selling honey.

As Harper, Callie, and Raina deal with their strife, their lives collide in unexpected ways. A revealed secret forces each of them to make choices that will alter their roles as mothers and daughters forever.

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Tags: featured, women writers

Category: On Writing