publication anniversary and reflections…
Somehow, here we are! It’s October 2023. My debut novel has been in the world officially for one entire year!
I wanted to mark the occasion here and thank everyone who even considered reading June & Devon Come to Life.
I’ve had some unexpected readers. My husband’s family friends threw me a launch party! (What?! It was wonderful.) I’ve dropped June & Dev off into numerous Little Free Libraries (and it’s gone the next time I checked!)
June and Dev is in four of my local library branches; I went and visited a copy recently. It was surreal to see it on the shelf next to Hemingway, let me tell you (alphabetically, that’s where I fell, lol). Also, I had my first Author Interview on Reads Rainbow!
My life has changed immeasurably. I’ve finally got a job I actually enjoy!?! I get to work from home with one of my dear friends, aka Kendy.
And, most importantly, I became an Aunt! My little brother had a daughter. I am head over heels in love with her, and that is causing me to consider… parenthood?!? WHO AM I.
My husband and I are still house hunting (fingers crossed for a particular house we’ve seen).
Which brings me to the question of writing: Have I been writing? Where’s Book two!?
It’s… complicated. I’ve written over 55K… and it’s still simmering. I’m hoping NaNoWriMo next month will give me the jolt I need to push through some writing blocks. I’m sure any writers reading this will know the tug and pull of I LOVE THIS that immediately derails into I HATE THIS. I’m not sure I’ve ever had such whiplash working on a project. Almost every day, my feelings towards it change.
I think what I’m struggling with so much is finding a new voice. I am so comfortable writing June because he is essentially me. My new MC, Silas, is a lot quieter—a bit power hungry. And I’m not sure I’ve captured that accurately yet. And maybe I shouldn’t admit to having issues, but this is my blog, so screw it. I’m having trouble with this manuscript. I think I’m afraid of the work involved in getting something ready again. I’m afraid of the effort it took to get June and Dev into the world. Can I do it again? With the world seemingly collapsing around us, I’m struggling. The death of Twitter hasn’t helped. I finally felt I was finding a community of queer writer and reader friends there. I’m mourning that and hoping Threads will grow to replace it.
Perhaps this is just the Sophomore Slump? I’m likely putting too much pressure on myself and my writing. I need to find the fun again. Find the fervor.
Well, let’s end on a positive note, shall we? I’m thankful at least that, despite my lack of writing, I’ve been doing A LOT of reading!!
I just finished Divine Rivals this morning. What a book. So beautiful and made me feel how I want my own readers to feel. I’m just sad I have to wait till December for the sequel. I’m in the middle of Hell Bent after tearing through Ninth House (after finishing the Book of Night). All these books have similar themes and I’m loving them.
Also been reading a lot of manga and graphic novels. Notable favs: The Prince and the Dressmaker and Go For It Nakamura!!. I’ve also finished the Jade City series (CHEF’S KISS) and On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous (which was so brilliant I can’t wait for another novel from Vuong). Finally, I’ve devoured a few historical romances by Sherry Thomas, including Delicious and His at Night.
Thank you for reading and I hope your Fall is beautiful and kind.
