Blog

“Your success depends on the uncomfortable conversations you’re willing to have.”

It sounds so simple until you start applying it to your own life... then it stings when it finally settles in.

I found this quote from a Reddit post almost a year ago now. A guy shared his experience trying to go back to college. He had already earned most of the credits needed for his degree and was hoping to finally finish. I'm sure you know the usual or have at least been there yourself like I have: go to...

Plans Changed but Not the Story

It looks like my blog is officially shifting into a bi-weekly schedule once again. This wasn’t exactly planned, but with everything happening (wrapping up my next book, unexpected health changes, and real life doing what it always does) this makes the most sense right now. Truthfully, it takes the pressure off, and I know I’ll be able to show up here with more energy and intention when I’m not forcing weekly updates on top of everything else, especially when...

Septoplasty & Hollow

Last week was missed, as decisions were in limbo until I received updates from my beta readers and updates about my upcoming surgery.

I’m due to have a septoplasty with a bilateral turbinectomy soon, and the preparations for it are interfering with me being able to release my book on my birthday like I’d hoped—juggling this, my book, and my full-time job means that there are not enough hours in the day to do it all in time. My beta readers are also not done, as only one...

"Final Drafts" Process

While I wait on feedback from my beta readers—edits, suggestions, and answers to my questionnaire—I’m using the time wisely. Right now, I’m deep in revisions: adding scenes, tightening up dialogue, and checking for consistencies. I’m also beginning a full line edit, making sure every sentence flows the way it should, including repetition of words (because when it happens, it's on purpose). I should be finished with both edits before my beta readers are done. It gives me...

Beta Readers Ready!

Okay, so I’m a day late posting this week’s blog, but again it’s for a very good reason. The last two days have been entirely consumed with final touch-ups on my next book, and as of this afternoon, Beta Reader copies have officially been sent out!

This stage always feels like a strange mix of nerves and excitement. You work so hard on something for months (sometimes years), and suddenly you’re handing it off to someone else, hoping they’ll love it or at least tell you what...

Memory Lane with Libby

I ended up taking an unexpected trip down memory lane all thanks to Libby. I was scrolling through my borrowing history and realized just how many books I’ve borrowed over the past six years since I first downloaded the app. What really surprised me, though, was the number of titles I’d completely forgotten about — books that I somehow never logged into Goodreads, and in some cases, don’t even remember borrowing.

I’m sure, in every case, I either started reading them and...

Beta Readers, It's Almost Time

I missed last week’s blog post, and honestly, I almost debated skipping this week, too. But the truth is, the silence hasn’t been for lack of things happening. Quite the opposite, actually. Lately, all of my creative energy has been tied up in final edits and marketing for my next book, which has been both exciting and exhausting. This part of the process always feels like the final sprint of a marathon, where I can see the finish line, but every step takes a...

Hollow: The One Who Remains [Update]

I’ve been deep in marketing mode for my upcoming book, Hollow: The One Who Remains, which is set to release at the end of May—most likely on my birthday. This book is the second in The Barrenmire Lights standalone collection, and it’s one that’s been particularly close to my heart. Though, I believe each of these books will get better and better as I write and release them.

The story follows two best friends whose bond was unbreakable, a love that was meant...

Required Reading Woes

It’s funny—writing is my passion, and I genuinely believe I’m good at it (not that I’m trying to boast, but every author believes they’re good at what they do or they wouldn’t publish anything, and yes, of course, there is always room for improvement). Yet, back in school, English was the subject that was a constant struggle for me. Not the grammar or the essays (I could handle those fine), but the required reading.

There was something about being told what to read that...

Giveaway

I mailed out 4 book bundles this weekend! Granted, two of them were giveaway winners, but that doesn’t make it any less exciting. There’s something very fulfilling knowing that my work is making its way into other people’s hands. Whether they’re reading it for the first time or adding it to their collection for later, it’s a surreal feeling. I’m sure I’ll do another giveaway soon—I love the idea of spreading my books to more readers, and who doesn’t love a surprise book bundle?

You can...

Sick Days

I successfully wrote five articles this weekend! I suppose it helps that I have been super sick with low energy. As a busybody, this is very unlike me. I don’t spend much time sitting around writing. As much as I love writing, I love feeling like a physically productive person, and I spend most of my waking time on my feet getting something done around the house—and there is always a lot to do around my house all the time.

Clearly, being under the weather has forced me to slow down,...

Giveaway

STFUATTDLAGG Smut Book Club featured me as Author of the Week! Two members of the group won a giveaway that I offered—one book bundle for Can’t Control and one book bundle for Love: The One Who Leaves. Oddly enough, one of the winners is partial to Love and the other Can’t Control, so I didn’t have to choose who would get which bundle. Worked out well.

During the week, there was a brief Q&A between me and the members, and one of the members was interested to know if I had any...

Drop in Books, Rise in Articles

This week, I didn’t get to work on my next book release, but I did focus on staying ahead with my article writing schedule, of which I upload 3 articles per week on my Medium page and LinkedIn. I’ve been working on some exciting features, including an interview with a debut author whose book is still in the works. She is such a beautiful soul, and it was a pleasure hearing her story and getting to know her on a deeper level. I also spoke with a glitch artist,...

Back on the Air

I feel like I just took a season off, but it definitely did not feel like some kind of off-season. If anything, it was an off season, if you know what I mean.

I’ve had to postpone my next book, Hollow, so it will not be published by April, but I will keep you updated on any future dates. It will certainly be published this year, but I no longer plan to have three published books this year, unlike what I was hoping for.

I also missed my last book release, Love. Not truly, but in a...

Merchandise has Arrived!

All of my merchandise has arrived for my book bundles! I’ve officially received everything but the books. I’m still waiting for one more proof to arrive, so that I can approve the final hardcover. Due to the artwork that I included in the physical copy, some of them hit the edges of the pages, and I needed to reformat it to make sure that all of the artwork does exactly that. I’d like the copies to be as perfect as they can be.

I’m expecting this (hopefully) final proof...

A Break in The Barrenmire Lights

I am adjusting the dates for my next releases.

As fellow author, Jenna Barwin, once said, “There’s a clown car of characters screaming to get released from my brain, and the one yelling loudest gets released.”

I was planning on releasing the entire Barrenmire Lights collection, one after the other. However, I have an idea that has been screaming at me—screaming to get out of my head—within these last few weeks, and it’s been so loud, if you know what I mean, that...

The Reoccurring Dream

Sometimes it’s hard being an author. And when I say ‘hard’ what I mean is that I’ve got all these story ideas and all of these characters screaming at me in my head to get their stories written, so I have a hard time sticking to one story at a time. I’ve noticed that when I try too hard to stick to one story at a time, say for one week I force myself to focus on one story, I don’t want to write anything for days after that.

So, I’ve been giving into my little ideas and...

Love Cover

I released my book cover for Love on tiktok last week! Totally on a whim, I didn’t want to release it until the book was available on Amazon and Goodreads, but I couldn’t wait. I’ve been so excited to show you all this book collection, and once the first one is available on Amazon and Goodreads, I will also be releasing the covers and release dates for the following three books on each of those platforms plus my website. Well, maybe not all three of the others. But definitely the...

Progress on Love & A Dark Romance Series to Compete with My Favorite

I’ve made great progress with my next book this week. Last week, I really didn’t get much, but I did write 800 more words than my minimum this past week.

I’m still waiting for my beta readers to finish my book, but I will be starting today on edits for those who have finished. Ten more days and I’ll be cutting off the time though, because at that point, it will have been over one month that my book has been in my beta...

Halloween Scares

The scariest thing that has ever happened to me on Halloween: I wasn’t even planning on pulling out my laptop and writing, but I did—at this point, it’s out of habit; if I don’t want to write, I have to force myself not to. I did something slightly different than usual the night prior: reorganized my workspace and unplugged my USB thumb drive while my laptop was still turned on but not open. This is something I’ve done before with no issues. However, I went to turn on my...