How it started, how it’s going

I know, it’s been a really long time. Two years since my last post. While I admit, not a lot of new writing has happened in that time, but I continued on with the relentless editing to my novel. Twelve years ago, I began The Lucid Nymph after waking from a dream with a line in my head—“It’s not like this was the first time Hazel had woken up alone, with no memory of the night before.” 

It’s a sentence that began the novel, only to move around in different chapters throughout the years, and eventually, ended up somewhere towards the end. Those words shaped the idea of my main character’s world, and I worked around it. 

In writing, whether it’s a short story, an essay, or a novel, what you think you know about your characters is not necessarily how they’ll end up. Pieces of a story you deem so important can end up being cut out entirely. I have fought to keep chapters in, and over time, found it surprisingly easy to let some go. 

This could be because of several factors. One is time, both in your writing, and in your physical age. I’m over 50 now, and after working on the book for over twelve years, I just had to be done. What I thought was so crucial ten years ago, is no longer. The other is fear. Deciding to be “done” is such a personal decision. Writers always want the writing to be perfect, and if we just edit it for the five hundredth time, it certainly will be, won’t it? No. And that’s okay. 

At some point, you have to release your terrifying anxiety into the wind and know that you did your very best. 

And, I do feel that I did my very best. I was able to finish and publish The Lucid Nymph before turning the clock another year ahead. It was the scariest thing I think I’ve ever done. I have opened myself up to potential criticisms, checking on reviews while crossing my fingers, and have had to acknowledge that by not having an agent or even a smidge of a marketing plan, I will probably not have a bestseller on my hands. 

All that being said, I’ve had some really great feedback and reviews. Some people have experienced waves of emotions, from anger and sadness to overwhelming relief, and a protectiveness towards Hazel I did not expect. I feel my novel is in a safe space now, out in the world where it should be. Hazel’s story needed to be told, and now I am moving on. 

I have already started on two books, but have chosen the one that will be next. It’s completely different—a psychological thriller! I have vowed it will not take me twelve years to finish this one. 

Thank you for reading and supporting me! If you have not picked up a copy, please do! 

I know, it’s been a really long time. Two years since my last post. While I admit, not a lot of new writing has happened in that time, but I continued on with the relentless editing to my novel. Twelve years ago, I began The Lucid Nymph after waking from a dream with a line in my head—“It’s not like this was the first time Hazel had woken up alone, with no memory of the night before.” 

It’s a sentence that began the novel, only to move around in different chapters throughout the years, and eventually, ended up somewhere towards the end. Those words shaped the idea of my main character’s world, and I worked around it. 

In writing, whether it’s a short story, an essay, or a novel, what you think you know about your characters is not necessarily how they’ll end up. Pieces of a story you deem so important can end up being cut out entirely. I have fought to keep chapters in, and over time, found it surprisingly easy to let some go. 

This could be because of several factors. One is time, both in your writing, and in your physical age. I’m over 50 now, and after working on the book for over twelve years, I just had to be done. What I thought was so crucial ten years ago, is no longer. The other is fear. Deciding to be “done” is such a personal decision. Writers always want the writing to be perfect, and if we just edit it for the five hundredth time, it certainly will be, won’t it? No. And that’s okay. 

At some point, you have to release your terrifying anxiety into the wind and know that you did your very best. 

And, I do feel that I did my very best. I was able to finish and publish The Lucid Nymph before turning the clock another year ahead. It was the scariest thing I think I’ve ever done. I have opened myself up to potential criticisms, checking on reviews while crossing my fingers, and have had to acknowledge that by not having an agent or even a smidge of a marketing plan, I will probably not have a bestseller on my hands. 

All that being said, I’ve had some really great feedback and reviews. Some people have experienced waves of emotions, from anger and sadness to overwhelming relief, and a protectiveness towards Hazel I did not expect. I feel my novel is in a safe space now, out in the world where it should be. Hazel’s story needed to be told, and now I am moving on. 

I have already started on two books, but have chosen the one that will be next. It’s completely different—a psychological thriller! I have vowed it will not take me twelve years to finish this one. 

Thank you for reading and supporting me! If you have not picked up a copy, please do!