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Book 2 is with the copy editor and boy am I nervou

Book 2 is with the copy editor and boy am I nervous. 😬

When I wrote my first book I had so many ideas of where I could take these characters in the future, but I didn’t know if anyone would want to read more about them. I ended the book in a way that left the story open for more. But publishing is a business. So a lot of my ideas were just brainstorming for fun. When it came time to actually write a follow-up for these characters I struggled.

I wrote almost five completely different versions of this book over the course of six months. Only two or three chapters from the original draft actually made it into the final version. I thought it would be easy because I knew these characters. They weren’t strangers to me. But every choice they make on the page (and I make as a writer) diverges the path of their future. If he does this, that relationship changes. If she says this then that will never happen.

It was hard. Even harder was the fact that I found myself second guessing what the readers would want from these characters. What were their expectations? Would they be satisfied with the protagonist’s choice? Or would they throw the book against the wall?

I don’t know. I still don’t know. And that’s scary. But, barring any unseen plot holes, most of my job is done. The story is done. Hopefully some people will like it. Hopefully they’ll want to find out what happens next. But I don’t know. And not knowing is the hardest part.

Regardless of how it performs, however, I finished it. What they say about second book syndrome is true. Not because writing a book is hard (although it’s by no means easy,) but because everything beyond the actual writing of a book is hard. The self-doubt, the fear, the expectation, the hope. It’s knowing that despite doing your best at the most challenging time in your life, there will still be bad reviews. There will still be family members who don’t support it. And there will still be that tendency to compare your book to others.

I wrote this book through a period of many life changes. Because of that I find it difficult to see clearly. But it’s my biggest accomplishment to date. And for that I’m proud.

Now onto book 3. ❤️

This was supposed to be my June TBR. Except June w

This was supposed to be my June TBR. Except June was busier than expected with the edits on my second novel and I didn’t finish reading any of these. (Although I did read some books I picked up at random which I absolutely loved!) 📚

I’m such a mood reader. And as much as I try to plan my reads, I can really only read what jumps at me in the moment. Looks like I’ll be trying these lovely books again in July!

What’s everyone reading right now? 😍

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🎶 Dance break! 🎵 Today I looked at my edit

🎶 Dance break! 🎵

Today I looked at my edits on book two and realized they weren’t as bad as I thought they would be. I also finished reading a fun book and survived an incredibly intense workout with my bootcamp group! And I’ve learned I’ll be working on a really exciting project with an amazingly talented friend of mine! 🏋🏻‍♀️📚🖋🎥

Tell me something good about your day! What’s got you putting on your dancing shoes? 💃🏻

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Dear Debut Novel, I know you’ve been really har

Dear Debut Novel,

I know you’ve been really hard on yourself lately. I know you’re struggling. You’re not a bestseller. You’re not a runaway hit. That film agent never called you back. You’re not where you want to be.

But that was never your job.

Yesterday a reader from Turkey said you’re the first English language book they’ve read. Last week a reader in the UK thanked you for allowing them to see someone like themselves for the first time in a novel. This morning an American reader called your prose beautiful. And a reader in the Netherlands said this is the first book they’ve read start to finish without reading the last chapter first (because they didn’t want to ruin the surprise.)

You only see your flaws. You only see the other books flying off the shelves. You only worry that you’re not good enough. But that’s not your job. It never was.

You’re the cornerstone of a foundation of books to come. You’re the proof that if it can be done once it can be done again. You’re the start of the race, not the end of it.

Be kinder to yourself. You’ve come a long way. And your story isn’t over. It’s just lighting the fire for the next one.

Yours Truly,
Your Debut Author

…

Dear Debut Author,

Ditto to yourself.

Love,
Your First-But-Not-Last Book

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Thank you to everyone who sent me a birthday messa

Thank you to everyone who sent me a birthday message the other day! I was overwhelmed by so many incredibly thoughtful messages that I couldn’t respond to all of them! You guys are all so wonderful. 🥰

A lot of you asked what books I received for my birthday so here are the four that already arrived! There are two more on the horizon that haven’t released yet and I’m so excited! (Thriller fans can probably guess which ones they are! 😉)

I started reading FALLING by T.J. Newman the other day and it is so intense. Honestly I might never get on an airplane ever again. This book is no joke horrifying from the very first page. But I love the writing style and can’t wait to find out how it ends! ✈️

As for my own book I’m deep in the editing stage right now and have made the decision to—GASP!—change the ending. So fingers crossed I can pull it off before the deadline next week! 👩🏻‍💻

And my TBR is completely out of control. I’ll be posting another pic this week of all the books I planned to read in June that I didn’t get to. Oh well! There’s always July! 📚

What’s everyone else reading? 📖

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Hello, 37. Lookin’ crazy as always. 🤪 #writi

Hello, 37. Lookin’ crazy as always. 🤪

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Happy Publication Day @paulgitsham 🥳 I love a

Happy Publication Day @paulgitsham 🥳

I love a good standalone novel, but deep down I’m a sucker for a series. When it comes to reading them, however, I’m not exactly linear. (I like to read out of order!) One of my favorite aspects of the crime genre is that most of the time you can pick a book up regardless of where it falls in the series and read it on its own. That’s the masterful task of crime authors, especially those who write police procedurals. That delicate balancing act between satisfying the readers who have been there from the beginning whilst enticing new readers. 📚

OUT OF SIGHT, Book 7 in Paul Gitsham’s DCI Warren Jones series fulfilled those expectations perfectly. It was my first investigation with Jones and his police team, but it certainly won’t be the last! 👮🏻‍♂️

This novel was so tightly plotted, intricately woven, and incredibly authentic in its detail and realism that I had to remind myself it was fiction. A police procedural that is both clever and believable. Gitsham’s characters and story are as true to life as they come.

Looking for a good crime read that’ll keep you guessing? Give OUT OF SIGHT a try. Out today from @hqstories 🎉

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I’d almost forgotten what blue skies looked like

I’d almost forgotten what blue skies looked like. ☀️

Today I’d planned to write a new scene for book two that’ll help tie together my structural edits, but my brain told me to rest. So that’s what I’m doing instead. Normally I’m really bad at listening to my body when it says to step away from work, but something I’ve learned from this new novel is that you need days off. When I walk away from writing for a day or two I come back to it refreshed and motivated. And often some of those problems I couldn’t figure out because I was working too hard end up resolving themselves.

So today is for recharging. I took a hike in the morning and now I’m reading out in the sunshine. Later I’m going to eat dinner outside listening to the birds. And then I’m going to zoom with some writing friends. Then I might watch a movie. 🌲

What are you doing to relax today? 💆🏻‍♀️

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