Hi Everyone!
This won’t be all that exciting of a post, I just wanted to drop a note to let you all know that I’m still alive and back to wondering around in the blogosphere haha. I should have known that finishing a first draft of my newest book would take a little (or a lot) longer than I said it would! But I DID finish! It clocks in at a very respectable 86,000 words, and I’m very much looking forward to starting the revision process (which I’ve sort of started already, but all us writers know that it’s a never-ending process).
I’m especially excited about this project, because it’s a pretty big step outside my comfort zone. While you will usually find me on the battlefield with my writing, this book actually has very little to do with wars. Instead, it follows a young college student and her experience of the Kennedy years, including her happening to witness the dreadful events of November 22, 1963. So definitely different, but who ever said that was a bad thing? I’m anxious to see how the story unfolds as I edit, and I’m even MORE anxious to dive back into the submission process with it. Fingers crossed!
I’ve also been very busy at Chicago Street Theatre in Valparaiso, where I just co-directed “Murder on the Orient Express.” It was a very whirlwind experience that completely sold out in the end, and I had an absolutely wonderful time flexing this other part of my creative muscle. Up next for me at the theatre is the 39 Steps, a play adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s famous movie. If you live in the Valparaiso, IN area, I highly recommend you come check it out when we open in March. It will be a good time for sure!
So that’s what I’ve been up to. What about you?! I want to hear from all of my blogger friends! I will of course be visiting your blogs in the coming days so I’ll get a bit of a catch up there, but feel free to drop me a line below and let me know what’s new! I have some wonderful blog pieces lined up to finish out the year, and I look forward to seeing what you all think of those. Until then, happy blogging!
M.B. Henry
Melissa G. Henderson
Hello. Congratulations for finishing the first draft of your new novel. That’s exciting! I’ve been trying to write amidst a cervical vertigo flare up. I love writing and creating stories. 🙂 Have a blessed week!
Dave Astor
You’ve been doing great, varied work, MB! Congratulations on your book draft and the co-directing!
MBHenry
Thanks Dave! Can’t wait to pop over and see what you’ve been reading lately!
MBHenry
Thanks so much! I hope you’re able to keep focused on your writing despite everything going on. I know it’s hard sometimes! Best of luck!
neihtn2012
Congratulations on finishing that first draft!
MBHenry
Thanks so much! I’m glad that part is over with!
gabychops
Congratulations on writing your book!
You are busy and I can understand that you have no time to read posts of other people.
Still, perhaps, one day you will be able to do so, it might be interesting and informative, and worth your attention.
Joanna
MBHenry
I fully intend to get back to reading people’s posts! Now that the first draft is done, I’ll have more time to do so!
gabychops
Congratulations on writing your book!
Joanna
MBHenry
Thanks!
bushboy
Writing AND directing good on you MB. Not much here but a lot of little stuff if you know what I mean. Mainly trying to keep my garden alive in a drought. Not much rain in nine months now and the hot days have started already with bushfires all over the country.
MBHenry
🙁 🙁 I don’t like to hear that. I’m hoping for some rain for you very soon!
Lee
Wow, you are a busy one! I am happy you are involved in local theater, one of my favorite things as an audience member.
I’m writing but my blog has become once every few months rather than once a month, and I continue to collect GA photos (but should stop!). I wear 3 hats for my local library as president of the Friends, as the interim archivist for our History Room, and have been working on the Sale books for about 15 years. Retirement, what’s that? I’m sure you will one day say the same!
MBHenry
Love all the work you do at the local library. I LOVE my local library and I visit very often! <3
Amy Law
You are a better writer than I for being excited about the submission process. I would rather have a colonscopy, but if I want to get published …
Great job directing Murder on the Orient Express. And now The 39 Steps — awesome. I’ve always wanted to see more Alfred Hitchcock redone. Wish I could come see it!
MBHenry
Hahahaha your assessment of the submission process is about right. Even though it is definitely painful at times, I still love it as part of the whole writing process. But those “nos” sure do hurt don’t they!
Fraggle
Good to hear you’ve got your next novel on the go and have been happy doing theatre work too! Exciting times!
MBHenry
Definitely! Can’t wait to pop over to your blog and see some pics!
KDKH
Wow, you HAVE been busy! Good for you! Blogging shouldn’t be a chore, it should be fun. So, you aten’t being graded for attendance!
MBHenry
Yes I sure have! And yes blogging is always very fun for me, especially given the amount of wonderful people I’ve encountered here 🙂
equipsblog
Congratulations on reaching that important milestone. Well done.
MBHenry
Thanks very much!
equipsblog
You’re welcome.
Jim Grey
Great to hear from you! Sounds like you’ve had plenty of good stuff to keep you busy.
MBHenry
For sure! How are things with you?! 🙂
derrickjknight
It is good to read about your busyness. The theme of the book looks intriguing – although for some of us it is not history 🙂
MBHenry
🙂 🙂 I’ve spoken to many people who lived through these events, it’s been one of the funner parts about writing this project!
Lee Austin
Good luck with finishing your new book. I’m sure it will be excellent!
MBHenry
Thanks Lee!!
Ken Dowell
Welcome back!
Sheila Morris
Congratulations on your new project – and best of luck in the submission process which is another lesson in patience and endurance!!
MBHenry
I say amen to that haha. Hope everything is going well with you!
authorlaurablog
Wonderful and welcome back! My next picture book is coming out in February 2024 and I’ve been busy working on a bunch of other writing but nothing else has sold or been finished … so far.
MBHenry
Congrats on the upcoming book release!! That is so exciting!!
pam@ichoosethis
Amazing MB! Everything is firing on all cylinders for you!!!! So happy about that. The new book sounds fab 💕
MBHenry
Thank you! I sure hope things are going well with you!!
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog
Best of luck with your book!
We went to the Martin Barre (Jethro Tull) concert in Wabash, Indiana recently. It was so great and we were in row B.
MBHenry
I saw Jethro Tull in LA when I still lived there!
Tim Harlow
So nice to hear from you, MB. Now you have me excited for the new book. The Kennedy years fascinate me as I was just a little boy. But I can still remember the ride home from kindergarten on the day Kennedy was assassinated. My teacher just pulled over and cried.
MBHenry
Awww that’s very very sad 🙁 🙁
rothpoetry
Wow! you really have been busy. Writing a novel and directing a play… Good for you! When will your book come out?
MBHenry
This new one has to be picked up first, so I’m not sure yet. Cross your fingers! 🙂
rothpoetry
:>) Good Luck!
J P
It sounds like northern Indiana agrees with you. 🙂
MBHenry
You know what? I think it does! 🙂
Pepper
Congratulations on finishing the first draft. I am upset at myself for missing another one of your shows at the Chicago Theater. Thinking I need to look into getting season tickets for next year! 🤔
MBHenry
Come see the 39 Steps in March! Tickets are already up for sale! 🙂 🙂
Pepper
Wow! Thanks for the heads up. I will look into getting tickets. 😊
Silver Screenings
Congrats on your theatre directing, and how exciting to be directing The 39 Steps! That is completely awesome.
Also, glad to hear about your writing, and I hope a new book will be coming out in 2024. It sounds truly interesting, especially set in the Kennedy era.
MBHenry
Fingers crossed for a new book! 🙂 I’ve been working really hard at it and hope it bears fruit very soon. Thanks so much for your well wishes!
patmcf
Wow! you are a young lass with many talents!! well done.