Long time, no see right?

Ever since I started working for Unity World Headquarters about two years ago, I haven't been putting much effort into my artistic projects. Well, not marketing them anyway. I have been writing--although it has been slow going.

I'm still working on the novel I was talking about in 2021 on the Find Creative Expression podcast. Most of my previous novels have not taken me nearly as long, but I did completely rewrite the book. So it's almost like I wrote two books! 

I'm spending the rest of the year polishing it up, and then the plan is to start querying literary agents in January. I am an indie author, yes, but this is an adult contemporary novel that would just be shelved in the generic “fiction” section at the bookstore. So I want to pursue the traditional route with this book first. 

Hopefully, I will have more information about this one soon! It's about a Broadway performer who loses her balance due to spinocerebellar ataxia (a rare neurologic condition that I have) and has to move back in with her parents (who she hasn't spoken to in eight years) in Atlanta and find a new career. 

Don't worry, that's not the ACTUAL elevator pitch, but I just wanted to give y'all the update.

Anyway, I've been so deeply involved with my day job over the past two years, I haven't worked much on the artistic stuff. I absolutely love my job, and I'm so grateful to have a job helping to spread the message of Unity. I'm actually studying to become a Licensed Unity Teacher right now, and the classes I am taking for that have been so incredibly rewarding.

But I have missed all the artistic projects. I actually re-strung my guitar the other day and I've slowly been trying to get back into playing music (something I haven't done since my August 2020 acoustic show I livestreamed from my living room.) 

I also miss having an outlet to talk to other artists like with the Find Creative Expression podcast or even a place to talk about music, books, TV, and films I really love like on my YouTube Channel. So I may be starting the YouTube Channel back up soon. 

In such a divisive time where tensions seem to be so high, I really love talking about one thing we all have in common: the love of art/entertainment and creativity. I loved knowing that all the artists I used to talk to on my podcast had VASTLY different beliefs and opinions, but I connected with all of them regarding their creative process. It was such an inspirational and uplifting time for me! So I would love to make videos again talking about my own creative process, what albums or books I'm obsessing over, and maybe some tips for other creatives.

So I just wanted to give y'all the update and tell you about what's been going on with me. Feel free to check out my books, THE MUSE CHRONICLES, TIME AFTER TIME, and INTO THE SHADOWS. (My goal is to get back to the Shadow Vampires and put out book 2 sometime in 2025 by the way!) I also have a free writing craft book, THE 30-DAY WRITING CHALLENGE: BEGIN OR ENHANCE YOUR DAILY WRITING HABIT, and three books of poems, COILED AND SWALLOWED, DRIVING DOWNTOWN TO THE SHOW, and SLIP AWAY. 

And in case any of you are interested, here are some of my favorite articles I have written for Unity World Headquarters.

Thank you for staying up-to-date with what's going on with me! I hope to have some artistic news for you soon!

The second edition of my book, The 30-Day Writing Challenge: Begin or Enhance Your Daily Writing Habit is now available in both print and e-book versions on multiple retailers as well as my website.

In the second edition introduction, I write:

I originally wrote The 30-Day Writing Challenge in 2014. Since that time, I have become an adjunct professor for the online creative writing graduate program at Southern New Hampshire University, I have published two novels, and I have continued for four years of full-time work as a freelance writer. 

I’ve also been through a lot of ups and down with my own publishing journey. I have been discouraged and broken down at many points. Whether you’re a traditionally published author or an indie author, publishing is hard. And there’s a lot of disappointment. 

So much is out of your control: what the literary agents think about your writing, what the publishers think, your sales ranking on Amazon, how many reviews you have, etc. And sure, there are a ton of things you can do to increase your chances of having the agents read your manuscript or increasing your e-book sales. But as writers, the most important thing—the thing we always have control over no matter what—is the actual writing. The act of creation. 

Writing is a practice and a discipline. The purpose of this book is to help you to begin a daily writing habit or enhance the daily writing habit you already have. 

Whether you want to write the great American novel or write business e-books, if you are serious about being a writer, you need to practice writing every day. It’s just like being in good physical shape. You have to exercise your muscles a little bit every day to build strength.   

It’s important to note that for some people, literally writing every day is not going to be possible. Many people have health issues that will prevent them from being able to write every day. I, myself, suffer from anxiety and depression, and there are definitely times when I’m not able to write creatively every day. (I don’t think a single day has gone by in the past 15 years when I haven’t written something, though—a journal entry, an e-mail, a blog post, web content, etc. I bring that up because if you do have mental health issues, keeping a journal is often a great way to get in some form of writing every day.) 

There will also be times when life gets in the way, and writing every day isn’t possible. Don’t beat yourself up in these moments. The important thing is that writing becomes a regular and consistent part of your life if you want to be a writer.

Download the e-book now for just $0.99 or order a copy of the paperback for $6.99.

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Scribd

Playster

Kobo

Holonis

Coming soon on Apple Books!

Or you can order directly from my website.

I'm so excited to be able to help more people on their writing journey!