So, here we are again, friends. In my last post, I shared the wild, messy journey of getting my third novel to the finish line. You’d think after all that, I’d give myself a breather—a chance to let my brain cool off and recover from all the creative chaos, right? Yeah… about that. Instead, I’m already laying the foundation for novel number four. And, well, I might have cough definitely cough finished the cover design for it. No chill whatsoever, I know.
Here’s the thing: when you’re in the thick of creating, there’s this pull to keep going. Sure, the smart move might be to rest, to bask in the glow of what you’ve accomplished, but sometimes the ideas don’t wait. They nudge you at 3 a.m., whisper during your morning coffee, or ambush you in the shower like, “Hey, remember me? I’m a new plot twist. Let’s go!” So, here I am, listening to the whispers, sketching out new characters, and daydreaming about where this next story might take me.
What’s funny is, I’ve learned that the creative process doesn’t actually get any neater the more you do it. If anything, it gets messier. But in the best way. It’s like making your favorite meal—you start with a pristine kitchen, full of promise, and by the time you’re done, it looks like a tornado hit it. But then you sit down, take a bite, and think, “Totally worth it.” That’s where I’m at. The dishes are everywhere, but I wouldn’t trade this process for anything.
This time, though, I’m also embracing the fact that there’s beauty in not knowing every step ahead of time. I’ve stopped trying to wrestle the process into submission, and instead, I’m letting the story find its way. Sometimes it surprises me; sometimes it challenges me; and sometimes it makes me want to hurl my notebook across the room. But it’s all part of the ride, and I’m here for it.
So, while I’ll have plenty to say about my third novel in the coming weeks (title and release date announcements are coming soon—eek!), I wanted to let you know the creative chaos is alive and well over here. Novel four is coming to life, piece by unpredictable piece, and I can’t wait to share more about it with you when the time is right.
In the meantime, thanks for sticking with me through all the ups, downs, and plot twists (both literal and figurative). You make this journey so much more fun, and I appreciate you more than I can say.
Until next time—keep dreaming, keep creating, and, for the love of all things, take a break if you need one. Learn from my mistakes. Or don’t. I’ll still be here, cheering you on.
