November 2026: How writing is like a run

Over the years, we've both been runners.

We do it because we like it—for our health, for that feeling of movement, for the pleasure of stretching our legs and pushing our bodies over long distances.

Because of that, we've learned the importance of balance, pace, and breathing. Balance, because to run we need sleep, proper food, and everything in moderation; pace so we don't burn out midway through; and breathing, so we're never struggling for air as we finish the run.

So as we continue our work on Wolfe’s Blood, we’re reminded of the lessons we’ve learned.

Balance

At the end of October, we attended the Saskatchewan Writers' Guild 2026 Conference. We were speakers at the event, scheduled right after lunch, which turned out to be great—a captive audience.

The talk lasted an hour, and we had some great questions during the Q&A at the end. Our topic was what it's like working together, and honestly, the presentation was a good depiction of how we actually work: talking back and forth, negotiating, weighing which ideas to keep and which to toss, and how we handle it when our words are cut or changed.

Yet, we didn't just show up, speak, and dash for the door. We stuck around for the whole day, listening to other presentations, visiting with writers from around the province, and discussing craft.

But after a full day, our bodies made it clear we're not the young people we were ten years ago. Angie went home after supper and crashed on the couch. David, despite not drinking, ended up losing a few days to recover after he stayed late and joined the open mic session.

It was a good reminder that if we want to get the work done, we can't get carried away the night before.

Pace

Right now, editing isn't about the finish line. It's about the middle of the marathon, when it feels the toughest.

Pace and routine are everything. David aims for two chapters a day, and Angie follows behind him, reading and making notes. Every weekday morning, we meet to sort through them together.

If he falls behind, she catches up to him—and then we may have to reread parts, because he likes to change things.

On Friday, he finished Part 2, and she's not far behind. By the end of November, we should be close to the end of Part 4, with one more section to go after that.

No big milestones this month—just a steady pace to make it to the end in December.

Breathing

The journey to finish this book is long and cyclical. The exhale of completing the draft is led by the inhale of editing it.

David works to keep Angie's words, her character phrases, and her happiness. But he's also a savage editor—in the best ways. She's good with whatever he suggests, mostly because she knows he tries hard to preserve what she wrote.

We both know there are passes left—our editor will polish this and return it with suggested changes, lots of them. We'll approve some, fight for others.

Inhale. Exhale. Breath after breath, until it goes to our readers in the spring, and then finally, we can rest.

One more November thing

We have two markets this month—both on the same day! So we’re splitting up and conquering them individually:

On Saturday, November 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.:

• Angie will be at the Regina Bookwyrm's Book Fair (HMCS Queen, 100 Navy Way)
• David will be at the Cathedral Holiday Craft Market (on 13th Avenue)

So come and visit one of us—or both, if you're ambitious.

Thank you for everything.

Angie and David