Weekly Note: Ten Ways a Puppy Stops You Writing
Plus... well honestly this newsletter is mainly about the puppy
Greetings from my couch where I am sitting with a new coworker by my feet who is dreaming and making cute noises.
Here are the ten ways she has interrupted my writing so far:
Chewing my slipper. Then I had to get up and find her a toy to distract her so she stops chewing my slipper.
Holding her toy for me to throw. This resulted in thirty minutes of playing instead of writing.
Sit lessons. She’s very smart and will definitely learn how to sit on command in a matter of days. What a perfect angel puppy.
Hey what’s that you’re chewing on, May? May!
Frequent potty breaks.
Ah she rests, so now I need to take 71 photos of her to find her best angle. Look how good her black coat looks against this blanket. (donut collar thing so she doesn’t attack her stitches)
Is she okay? Is she breathing? (flashbacks to newborn phase)
She’s moving! Follow her to make sure she’s not about to pee on the rug.
Google essential supplies for puppies.
She sleeps. Time for me to eat lunch. And maybe do some work!
So that’s how my morning with a puppy went!
(P.S. Her name from the rescue was Maybelline and she was definitely born with cuteness).
Also in the last few weeks we went skiing in Utah, my eldest daughter had a gym competition, and I went to a fabulous launch event for Misa Sugiura’s latest book, Momo Arashima Duels the Queen of Death.
p.s. some of the links are bookshop.org affiliate links so I might earn a small commission if you buy from them, but as always I encourage you to visit your local independent bookstore instead. This month I’ll be donating any affiliate earnings to Doggie Protective Services (the rescue where we adopted May).
On Kidlit Survival Guide recently I talked more about imposter syndrome and Vicky covered writing authentically.
Fluid goal setting for writers by
.Public speaking advice for introvert authors (raises hand) from
.
“These are things that in my experience they love: honesty, intimacy - the sense that we are all friends together; stories about embarrassment or failure, stories about famouses, hearing about the writing process itself (there are nearly always writers or wannabe writers in the audience); questions (and yes, there will be a “where do you get your ideas from”, although there is always something new and surprising too).”—Jojo Moyes
I can squeeze in a couple more author visits in late April if anyone is looking for a fun presentation suitable for all ages. I’m also taking bookings for 2025/26. Find out more on my website or reply to this email.
Christine Evans during an author visit at an elementary school
I’ve read a lot since my last newsletter. I went down a bit of a Fiona Davis rabbit hole after reading The Stolen Queen. I also read The Lions of Fifth Avenue (about a family who lived in the NYPL!) and I’m currently reading The Address (which is my least favorite so far). I love the dual timelines in these books and the interesting and complicated women characters.
I also loved This Love by Lotte Jeffs which has been comped to One Day which is one of my all time favorites. “An utterly charming and modern debut novel spanning ten years of extraordinary friendship, about soulmates, unconventional families, and the limitless, ever-changing forms love can take.”
That’s all for this week!
With love,
Christine xo
Buy my books from your favorite local independent bookstore, my local indie Linden Tree Books, Bookshop.org, or other online retailers.
May is adorable! What a wonderful distraction, Charlie and I are very familiar with the routine you’ve outlined. 😍
OMG STOP IT! WHAT A CUTE PUPPER!