April 2023 Newsletter

April has arrived, and my intention to start this newsletter in 2023 has finally manifested itself. I'll be using this format to keep people updated on writing projects and progress, as well as little life updates and things that bring me joy (music, podcasts, books, whatever). I hope you enjoy reading it, and thanks again for your support and encouragement!

Book Updates

Y'all... I'm finished! My novel Recovering has gone through several rounds of drafting and editing and revising, and it's finally finally ready for the next step. I've sent this version on to a few people to read to provide overall feedback (shout out to you readers... you know who you are!), and of course, I'm living for their comments. Simultaneously, I'm beginning the really fun (do you hear the sarcasm?) task of researching how to get this thing into readers' hands.

I'm going to attempt querying lit agents to see if anyone will pick it up to pitch to traditional/indie publishers. You don't know unless you try, right? I'm giving it six months, and then if no one's biting, I'll go the self-publishing route instead. There are certainly pros/cons to both ways. Ultimately, I just want whoever is interested to be able to read it.

Side note, there's A LOT that goes into writing and publishing a book, y'all. Like, a lot. The next time you pick up a book to read, treat it like the piece of gold it is! Seriously.

Anyyyyyway, I digress. The point is, it's really nice to be able to move this project into the next phase. I'm not exaggerating when I say I've become used to the nagging voice in the back of my mind telling me I should be working on Recovering. My constant companion particularly liked to remind me while driving, showering, running, working... you name it. Thankfully, I've given that voice something new to pester me about, which leads me into the next newsletter section...

Current Projects

Of course, my brain couldn't just sit back, settle down, and be content with completing one novel. I guess it's possible for some authors to have a one-and-done situation... but my growing list of writing project ideas is telling me that I'm not wired that way. So, I have two projects currently in the works right now, or at least one in the works and one on deck. If I learned anything from drafting, editing, and "completing" one novel, it's that I need to get a first draft down on paper ASAP with as much uninterrupted flow as possible. Writing in chunks with big breaks in between means that the storyline gets a little hazy, which then forces me to read what I've drafted from the beginning, which leads to me stopping every sentence to edit, which then impedes progress... and well, you get it. Draft first, edit later.

In order to do this, I'm going to be participating in Camp NaNoWriMo during April, with a goal of finishing the first draft of my next project I'm affectionately calling Reconciling. And technically, it's going to be a novella. Or, it's supposed to be. We'll see. I envision that Recovering is the first book in a sort-of duology that also includes a novella as book 1.5 followed by a true sequel (which is the second project on deck). Camp NaNoWriMo runs through this month (with another one in July), and participants can set any word count goal for their Camp project. I'm not sure what the novella will end up at, but the goal I'm setting for Camp is 40,000 words. Since technically my draft is already sitting at a decent 15,200, the first draft will hopefully net out somewhere between 50-60,000 words. I mean, that's the plan. We'll see what the characters think about that.

P.S. If you've been thinking to yourself, Hey I should write a book... consider this your sign to participate in Camp NaNoWriMo (it's free) and join a writing community! And if you do decide to participate, send me an email or message on Instagram so we can connect on the Camp site (see what I did there? 😬).

Things Bringing Me Joy

Not gonna lie... the writing process can really suck and feel completely draining. Thankfully, there's life beyond clicking away at the keyboard (or, more accurately, staring at the screen hoping the words just appear). Here are a few things that are currently giving me life and keeping me (somewhat) sane:

Listening:

Noah Kahan's album Stick Season (I'm seeing him in concert in August and I.CANNOT.WAIT.)
Rolling Up The Welcome Mat by Kelsea Ballerini
Matt Maeson's Never Had To Leave album
The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling podcast by The Free Press
Greenlights audiobook by Matthew McConaughey
Say Nothing - A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland audiobook by Patrick Radden Keefe

Reading:

March was a good reading month for me. I made it through 13 books, which brings my 2023 total to date up to 37 (my goal for the year is 100). Since I procrastinated and didn't send out a newsletter until April, here's a recap of some of my fave 2023 reads to date:

All the Stars and Teeth Duology by Adalyn Grace (YA, fantasy)
Untying the Knot by Meghan Quinn (Contemporary Rom-Com)
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (Re-telling of the Iliad, historical fiction, mythology)
Good Enough by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie (Christian daily devotional/reflection)
Things We Hide From the Light by Lucy Score (Contemporary Romance - this is a sequel to Things We Never Got Over, which I read last year and loved!)
The Serpent & The Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent (Romantasy that gives some A Court of Thorns and Roses vibes)
Book Lovers by Emily Henry (Contemporary Rom-Com)
Shadow & Bone Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo (Fantasy)
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren (Contemporary Rom-Com)

In addition to books, a few of my favorite news sources - which are intentionally very limited - include these daily newsletters:

Finally, a monthly newsletter that I receive from one of my favorite authors is The Visible Life of V.E. Schwab and I've adored every one I've received so far.

Watching

I'm not watching much these days honestly, but I did re-watch the first season of Shadow and Bone on Netflix while simultaneously reading the trilogy. Once I finish the Six of Crows duology, I'll watch Season two, which I'm really looking forward to! Beyond that, every once in a while I'll put on the classic (New Girl) while I'm working late answering emails. I swear that show never gets old. I always laugh out loud, and that shit is medicine.

Moving and Grooving

It's been over a year since I crossed "Complete an Ultra Marathon" off of the life bucket list, which means that it's about time for another one, I think. Running is my therapy, so I've been getting out and putting in a few more miles lately, much to the benefit of my mental health and those around me (to be honest). I'm aiming for another fall ultra, this time at a park closer to my house, which makes training on the actual race trail amazingly convenient. It also means heat training in the Arizona summer heat... so that's something to look forward to. I'm not ready to totally commit and register yet, but it's definitely on my radar for 2023.

Bonus Content

I'm a creative by nature so I've been finding new ways to channel that creativity in the last couple of months. It's been a great outlet when life has felt overwhelming, plus it's a fun way to breathe new life into old things. These projects were also co-created by my dad (hi Glenn), which was pretty awesome. The Mexican tiles make for a particularly great backdrop for bookstagram pics 😏 Next up... painting the bookshelf.