Getting pen to paper, or more accurately, fingers to keyboard, is hard. I force myself to sit at my desk. I try to resist the endless diversions. I take to heart the advice of my mentors at Sage Hill Writing Experience, Merilyn Simonds and Wayne Grady. Treat your writing like a full-time job. Devote time to writing every single day. I set up a writing space that is secluded so I can retreat to my writing. I set myself a goal of writing three to four hours every day. I create file folders for all the main characters, places and events. I keep a journal so that I can jot down memories as they come to me.

At the end of each chapter, I make notes of information that is missing and that I need to research. I do Google searches. I follow up any plausible leads to reference books, thesis papers and newspaper articles. I feel like I am slogging through mud, not making much forward progress.

I read books on writing. They help keep me focused.