I’ve been buzzing around here like a lightning bug on a caffeine overdose, juggling birthdays, house guests, and the ever-evolving world of storytelling. So June was a whirlwind of excitement as we celebrated not one, not two, but three family birthdays, including my own. (So much cakeeeeeee and you can imagine the chaos of my household with that many Geminis) It was so much fun, and it’s always my favorite month of the year. On top of that, we had some amazing family friends stay with us for a delightful two-week visit while my husband was on vacation. It was the perfect opportunity for me to take a breather from work, kick back, and enjoy time off in good company. We had an amazing time with all the kids and pretended that we were running a cult co-op, though with fewer flower crowns and peasant dresses. (Love you, Ging!) I only got a little drafting done because of all that, but I made a ton of covers and plans!

Since my birthday falls around the midyear mark, I always like to take time to look ahead for the rest of the year and what I want to accomplish personally and professionally. I’ve been pretty open about my mental health struggles over the last year, and that continues to be my focus. I’ve pulled back from some of my volunteering and other commitments to take time to focus on myself and my writing. I’m finally getting a hold on my panic attacks and am feeling a lot better now than I was last winter. My mania-induced-adopted kittens are doing wonderfully and I’ve been maintaining my Narcissa Malfoy hair from my breakdown and still love it, so I consider it a win overall lol

Now for the professional update.

When I first set out as a writer, I considered myself a discovery writer—a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of storyteller. Buuuuuuuut I was dead wrong. I got 5,000-20,000 words into so many books, but I finished none of them until I started outlining and plotting. Type A AF, y’all. I’d thought my creativity worked one way, only to find out how much more creative I could be when I tried the exact opposite approach.

Which brings me to my next point.

I used to believe in focusing solely on one project at a time, giving it my undivided attention. When I thought of the Maeoris series, I was foaming at the mouth to write it. But I couldn’t since I was in the middle of writing the Inkwater series and I had to put it off for six months. Which didn’t feel great… I’m not a trend-chasing author—I write whatever stories have taken root in my head. And putting off the series I wanted to work on for so long felt almost like writing something to market, rather than writing for myself (and y’all, of course). So I’ve decided to challenge my previous idea of how my brain works and try a new plan. Alongside “To Forge a Hollow Crown,” I’ve delved headfirst into two other worlds that have been clamoring for my attention. I’m going to be working on all the projects simultaneously, and see if it keeps the fire of my creativity burning white-hot.

First up, we have the Hacksaw City & Saint’s Way World—an urban fantasy haven where rival magical mafia families rule two sister cities and war with one another. I LOVE THIS WORLD. I created it in 2015 for my NaNoWriMo novel and I’ve kept adding to it ever since. It’s like a cyberpunk world, but instead of tech, there’s magic. Think if Bladerunner 2049 and Bright had a baby, and that’s the vibe. A kinda dystopian, barely-into-the-future America that runs on magic. I honestly got so into the worldbuilding for this series that I had to take a break from it to actually write and that’s when I wrote the Second Collapse series to cleanse my brain. I have SO MANY stories to tell in this world, some more gritty than others, but all of them with some (alright, a lot) of hot romance. The first story set in this world is the Moonsworn Series. In the first book, Locks & Lycans, you’ll see Bellamy, a secretive hairdresser that works for the mob, as she is caught in a treacherous game of blackmail and dodges the advances of the hot new alpha werewolf. I’m so freaking excited about this one and I can’t wait for you to read it too!

And my latest brainchild… It’s going to be INCREDIBLE. It all started with a YouTube rabbit hole about ‘Adam’s four wives.’ Looked it up, and the Youtuber was all sorts of wrong. According to some Jewish and Christian Mythology, there was a fallen angel who had the four wives mentioned. I thought that was ridiculous, that the women should have four mates instead. Makes much more sense, right? More holes for poles, baby! My idea for a reverse harem paranormal romance was formed. The Heirs of the Demon Queens series is a wild ride, featuring fallen angels, demons, monsters, and more! (But not reincarnation, because I hate that trope. It’s Heirs as in inheritor of power, not memories because blurgh) In the first book, Bound by Nightmares, you’ll meet Amara, a stuntwoman who is kidnapped by a group of mysterious, winged men who claim they’re trying to prevent the apocalypse. Of course, she isn’t going to just take their word for it, and she’s determined to escape them, even if she isn’t sure she wants to… Y’all. Come on. We all know this one is going to be stupid hot. When Amazon dungeoned “To Chain an Elf King,” I imagined the absolute filth I was going to put in this book and it’s going to be AMAZING.

As the summer goes on, I’m working as best I can around my children’s constant requests for snacks and the arguments that I have to referee. BUT I’ll have a ton more dedicated writing time when fall arrives. Because, finally, all of my children will be in school ALL DAY. That means seven uninterrupted hours every weekday to write whatever I want. I’m going to get so much freaking writing done, and it’s going to be incredible. I’m hoping with my new multi-project approach and so much time, that I’ll be able to bring you stories faster than ever!