Out of the Shallows

Gradually coming to the end of a long review stretch. I love books. I love promoting authors. I love telling fellow readers that they should read a particular novel. I love getting advanced copies. I hate what reviewing does to my other writing.

For the past several months, my writing has consisted of reviews and freestyle poems trying to make sense of my life. Ideas and projects have been put into sleep mode. Marketing is at a standstill. I haven't been even feeling like a writer - just a reviewer admiring in increasingly similar words others' works of genius. Even if finances allowed me to attend a major conference, I'd feel like I was wasting resources.

But I can't blame it all on the reviews. Spending hours online, friends moving away, job uncertainty - all have contributed to this current state of limbo. But some words from our music pastor have caused me to realize I've been swimming in the shallows. Taking things the easy way. Forgetting my passion.

So although next week promises to be full with VBS and two of my sisters gone, I'm hoping to get all of these "must-do"s done during that time. And get back to my passion.

Forgiving Solomon Long

For a while, I'd been hearing only good things about Chris Well's debut novel, Forgiving Solomon Long. So when the opportunity came to review the book, I jumped at the chance.

Forgiving Solomon Long met my expectations. While I was hoping to become more emotionally connected with the characters, the plot kept me glued to the pages. The style suited the book's intended male audience more than a die-hard romantic like me, but I still found myself smiling at the humor and genuinely liking many of the characters.

Be looking for my review - I'll be posting a link to it on the sidebar once it's published online.