The Boss

For several weeks, I've been agonizing over which plot twist Book 4 - "HAWAII! Pineapple Peril" should take. There are several strands I'm considering, and I can't decide which one is the best. In other words, I'm spending a lot of time staring at the screen. Getting nothing. Nothing.

But this morning, over breakfast, I read an article in an old Sunday NYT about Bruce Springsteen and his creative process: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/arts/music/bruce-springsteen-tracks-ii-the-lost-albums-interview.html 

"I'm a soul miner," he said. "So I'm down in the mine and I'm chipping away. And very often I'm getting nothing, nothing, nothing—more often than not. Nothing, nothing, nothing. And then you hit a vein. And when you hit that vein, Bang! Things come pouring out. And you've struck some gold, musical gold..." 

Or in my case - maybe - prose gold. 

Thank you, Bruce, for the reminder that much of creating we can't control. We have to wait for the door to open into that part of us that dreams up stories, music, poems, and art. 

Back to Hawaii

 

 FYI: I'm not actually going back to Hawaii. Although, I am keeping the above photo open on my computer as I write. I'm back to Book 4: HAWAII! Pineapple Peril and trying to get a completed first draft. Then, I can let it sit for a bit before I rip it apart. 

Today's word count was 503. However, that's not the whole story, as I spent a huge amount of time reviewing the story, editing, and thinking (staring at the computer screen). I made terrific progress because of the word count, which is one metric that I can use to track my progress. But best of all, I have a road map for my next several writing sessions. I may not know exactly what I'm going to write, but I do know where I'll begin tomorrow. 

Stay tuned. I'm going to be better at posting my progress.

 Meanwhile, I'm over the moon about the great response to Book 3: OHIO! The Mystery of the Mound. Thanks, everyone!

OHIO! is Released!

I'm so excited to share that Adventure USA - Book 3: OHIO! The Mystery of the Mound has been released!

 

 

 

Reviews: 

 

Here's the link to buy: https://www.amazon.com/Adventure-USA-OHIO-Mystery-Mound-ebook/dp/B0D8R41QR5/ref=sr_1_3?crid=24SZBEX0XDXZI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uuBot7oE2NCzjSUPBXh4zTVOCPo6fdupsqp9TLDBMmGyBC8MUN4DDmGbW6jrtWeC.ooQiBVPx4SNrJ-4soH8WN4tK1KuLUmaFE6Iz3S02i7M&dib_tag=se&keywords=barbara+larmon&qid=1747064083&sprefix=barbara+larmon%2Caps%2C118&sr=8-3

 

 

HAWAII!

 It's a new year and a new book!

I started Book 4: HAWAII! this morning. I was able to insert 263 words for today in my January writing calendar. That's not very much, but it's definitely a start.

I spent a lot of time staring at the screen and researching Hawaii. I finally found a starting point, and then the words began to flow. I am so excited about the research for this book, as Hawaii is such a rich state with so much to learn about.

Stay tuned as I flesh out this plot. 

Aloha!

Humming Along with Book 3: OHIO! The Mystery of the Mound

The cover (and interior design, etc.) of Adventure USA - Book 3: OHIO! The Mystery of the Mound continues to hum along. I have seen some early concepts, and I am over the moon at how well Erik Drohman conceives the perfect cover to showcase the themes of each book in the Adventure USA series.

While I wait for its publication in early (fingers crossed) 2025, my mind has been hopping with ideas for Book 4: HAWAII! I don't have a title yet, but plenty of plot strands and ideas continue to percolate.  

Here's my writing calendar ready to go for January: 

My technique is to enter the number of words for each day (with a big old black X for a day I didn't write), and then keep a running total at the bottom of each daily box. Off to the right I write the weekly total. It really works!

I would love to start right now, this very minute, but I hesitate to turn on the waterfall of creativity during this season. Anyone else feel the same?

Happy Holidays!

Ready for My Editor: OHIO! The Mystery of the Mound

I'm thrilled to be close to sending OHIO! to my editor. I'm very excited about the story and its many dimensions. I can't wait for it to be released. 

In the meantime, I'm also getting ready for the OELMA (Ohio Educational Library Media Association) Conference in October. I'll be part of their author showcase, so I've been gathering materials for my table. Front and center will be this framed letter from the governor of Massachusetts commending MASSACHUSETTS! The Stolen Spyglass:

 

MASSACHUSETTS! The Stolen Spyglass

I'm over the moon at the imminent release of MASSACHUSETTS! The Stolen Spyglass.

Erik Drohman, the very talented illustrator and graphic designer, has done a superb job on the cover, the illustrations, and the interior. 

I can't wait for MASSACHUSETTS! to join its place beside ALASKA! More information is here on my website: https://barbaralarmonfailing.com/