I'm sure I'm not alone when I say this, but rainy days are fantastic for writing. While many people see a rainy day as a reason to hang around the house, do nothing, or maybe catch up on their rest, as a writer, I see the darkness and the quiet as an opportune time to sit and write non-stop for hours upon hours. Today it poured, and having the day off, with no need for  make-up, hair styling, or getting dressed up, I sat at my computer, looking like a creature that shouldn't be in public, and poured my imagination out onto blank pages. This is my true happy place. Today, at the (almost) 4 month mark, I have 101 pages written in my new novel. Some writers measure their success in words, scenes, ideas, or in a completed outline. For me, when I hit a certain number of pages, I feel a true sense of accomplishment. Reaching 101 pages means (I'm guessing) I'm approximately 1/3 done with the book. Completing such a big chunk of the work in this time frame is motivational, because I'm able to see how much I've accomplished, and want nothing more than to continue working at it, until it's finished. 

Writing a new novel, no matter the topic, is daunting. It's a lot of hard work, is exhausting, but exhilarating at the same time. There are times when I'm watching TV, driving to work, or taking a walk, and get struck with an incredible idea that absolutely must go in the new book. As soon as I can, I record notes on a voice recorder, so I don't forget, and can work it into the book later. Sometimes out of the blue, I'll also come up with random ideas or names that must go into other books, yet to be written, such as the sequel to, The Vampire. I make sure to record those as well, so I'll have a lot of great notes when I sit down to write that one. 

The one thing that keeps jumping out at me, while I write this new book about the diverse life out in the universe, is that it's not your typical UFO book where aliens abduct someone, conduct experiments on them, and return them to their vehicles, so they can go on to have nightmares for the rest of their natural lives.

This story is vastly different from what people will expect. Yes, there are aliens, they have a unique craft they use to travel through the universe, time, and into other dimensions, and they will interact with a human being. However, it's how they interact with this particular person, and the ultimate reason for it, that readers will find truly unexpected and wondrous.

As I've said while writing all my other books, the thing that keeps me in my chair writing is my love and passion for a story I've come up with to communicate an important message. 

I've been writing during my free time for 2 months and 3 days, and I already have 84 pages of written, which seems incredible, even to me. Sometimes, it just pours out, and I couldn't be more thankful for the inspiration that comes to me from so many different places. 

Inspiration is where all my work originates. One picture, one piece of music, one fateful interaction with a person or an animal, one random thought (coming from God knows where), can inspire me to create characters, scenes, dialogue, and/or whole chapters.

It's quite a magical experience to create, no matter what it is...  as you experience and witness everything coming to you in what seems like perfect timing, all falling into place exactly as it's meant to, to produce an incredibly moving body of work. 

I've been working on my new novel, about the presence of extra-terrestrial life in the universe, for approximately 7 weeks now, and have about 70 pages written. Some days, the story just pours out of me, and I can't stop writing. Other days, I feel like I need a break from it. 

So far, I am really excited about how this story is unfolding before me. I know readers will feel the same way. I do have a few friends that I read to, as I create new material, and that brings me a lot of joy. Luckily for me, these friends are also interested in this topic and appreciate the ideas for the story.

Much like my other work, this book is truly about the nature of the universe, spirituality and the soul.

I cannot wait to share more with you! ​ 

After about a year and a half of research, including speaking with those who claim to have had some interaction with a UFO or experienced what they describe as "spiritual" unexplainable phenomena, I am inspired to write my next novel. It's a topic that's always intrigued me - whether or not there is intelligent life elsewhere in the universe.

This book will offer a unique perspective about what that could potentially look like, who and what may be out there, where they live, their role in the universe, and how they, the earth, human beings, and even the spiritual realm could all be intertwined.

I certainly don't have the answers, but I love wondering about it. The world I create in this next book will have you truly wondering about it, too. 

Read here:
​warwickonline.com/stories/curiosity-humanity-inspire-smiths-novels,162461

Thank you to NBC 10 WJAR's Studio 10 for having me on today, to talk about summer reading, including my books, The 13th Apostle trilogy and The Vampire. 

Click image below to watch WJAR-TV segment.