This post may feel a little repetitive. I know I’ve been using my blog as a way to process all the emotions swirling around this launch. What can I say? I’ve never launched a self-published anything before. It brings up feelings.

A little personal note: the past ten days or so have been rough. My poor little nervous system took a stumble as I tried to balance some health-anxiety garbage (if you know, you know), wrapping up (pun intended) the holidays by packing all of that festive joy away...

The past few days have been busy at the writing desk! Have I gotten any actual writing done on any current WIPs since Christmas Eve? No. Do I have any regrets about that? Also no. What did happen was a relaxed, fun, joyful holiday spent with family, followed by the pure excitement of my author copies arriving the day after Christmas (a full week earlier than anticipated).

Now, I thought everything felt real once I uploaded my final manuscript files for publication on December 8th—but holding...

I shared in my last post that I’ve been struggling with writer’s block over the past few weeks. I’m clawing my way out of that hole little by little, thanks to writing exercises, journaling, and consciously trying to let go of the need to find the perfect words. Rough drafts are rough for a reason, right?

I’ve also been reading more. In the final throes of finishing Sketch, I’d gotten out of the habit of reading for pleasure, instead spending all of my “free” time rereading my own work and...