Here's a small update on my life right now because I have been missing in action for so long. In May of 2016, I graduated from college with a Bachelor's of Science and a degree in Biology. I traveled to British Columbia, Canada and volunteered at a birds of prey rehabilitation center for two months. Then, I went to the Florida Keys and interned at a different avian rehabilitation center for four months. Shortly after coming home from that position, I traveled to Arkansas and worked as an Interior Least Tern Field Technician for another two months. In short, I really like working with birds and do hope to continue along this path in the future. If you know of anyone hiring, let me know. :)
I thought that all of those experiences would inspire me to write, but I've been struggling to write for so long. I do apologize for my disappearance. I was very frustrated with myself and my writing and I wasn't sure how to explain myself. I think all writers go through periods of self-doubt...mine just lasted a very long time.
I have come to the realization that I exhausted myself by writing the Prophesized Series so quickly. I wrote every single day while working on the main four books in that series and finished a book in 2-3 months time. I wrote, edited, and published that entire series in less than a year. I thought that was completely normal and when I couldn't finish a book in that short amount of time afterward, I became very dejected. I am also very afraid of writing the same book over and over again. I don't want to rewrite the Prophesized Series with different characters. I am trying to make sure that all my characters and plot details are unique.
I have come to the realization that I exhausted myself by writing the Prophesized Series so quickly. I wrote every single day while working on the main four books in that series and finished a book in 2-3 months time. I wrote, edited, and published that entire series in less than a year. I thought that was completely normal and when I couldn't finish a book in that short amount of time afterward, I became very dejected. I am also very afraid of writing the same book over and over again. I don't want to rewrite the Prophesized Series with different characters. I am trying to make sure that all my characters and plot details are unique.
Now that I'm back, I have no idea what I'm doing with my life, but I can finally say that I am starting to write again. I have spent so much time trying to make Faith When Falling happen, but for reasons unbeknownst to me, I just can't finish that book right now. It only needs a couple thousand words to tie everything together, but I can't figure out what those words are exactly. Because of this, I'm putting that book aside for a little while and working on something else.
A few years ago (2014), I finished the first book in a different young adult series and I just finished rereading it a few days ago. I made a few adjustments and I think I have my inspiration back. I have started working on the second book and already have more ideas for this series than I have had in a very long time. It feels right this time, so hopefully I can finish this one.
My goal, if everything goes according to plan, is to finish writing the sequel before I publish the first book. I never want to start a series if I'm unsure if I can finish it. That's not fair to the readers. I am hoping that I can finish writing this book by the end of 2017 and start publishing everything around January/February of 2018.
I have definitely neglected to keep my blog up-to-date, but I promise to keep you all updated on my progress from here on out. Feel free to give me a little nudge if I disappear again!
