Write, Write, Write…

The path to traditional publication is a long road. I’m learning that first hand. While I wait, I write. My advice to all of you out there trying to make it: don’t give up. Work on your craft. Join a writers’ group. Soak in all the information you can on the writing and publication process.

It’s really cold outside. A Sunday morning. Today, it’s homemade sloppy joe’s, laundry, and a working session with my local writer’s group for three hours. We’re doing writing working sessions every Sunday afternoon via Zoom during January and February. Cameras on, microphones off, and support as we get our words in. I’m so thankful for the supportive writing community here in Lexington.

My Story as an Author…

Getting published is a long road. No shortcuts. It’s a slog—and grit is key.

I started to write about fifteen years ago. In a year, I finished two books and had two partial manuscripts. When one of the books became query worthy, I started the process of searching for an agent. I sent out ten queries and the rejections flowed in. Discouraged, I gave up. Life happened. Kids were raised. My professional career bloomed. Writing was put on the back burner.

Fast forward to early 2025. This is the year, I told myself. I wrote a new book, queried it, and signed with an agent in the summer. A huge accomplishment, but still just the start. My agent, who is a rock star, told me to keep writing. It’s what I’ve done all year.

The book’s sequel came next. Then, I switched gears from paranormal romance to contemporary romance. Writing a minimum of seven thousand words per week, some weeks as much as fourteen thousand, I completed first drafts of the next two books. I joined a writers’ group. I’m studying the craft. I attended a conference. Got on TikTok—something that I still struggle with! But this is part of the process, and I’m all in on succeeding.

This weekend I put together the outline for my next project. It’s another contemporary romance and I’m itching to start it. And I also keep editing, editing, editing my last finished book. It’s a romantic suspense set against a college football backdrop. I LOVE how it turned out. But then again, I suspect all authors love their own books. We wouldn’t write something we don’t like, would we?

My literary agent has one book on submission, with another to come around year end. I suspect a third will come in late Q1 2026.

Meanwhile, I’ll continue to write. This is a slog—and grit is key. And I’ve got that in spades.

Blah, Blah, Blah Writers’ Group

I must give huge props and thanks to my writers’ group. Today we held an all day writers’ retreat at the Lexington Writer’s Room. The Writer’s Room is a gem—a space in downtown Lexington for writers to come together to write, to get away, to be surrounded by like-minded folks who tend to get lost in the world of words.

Blah, Blah, Blah was started three and half years ago. Meetings are held twice per month, with the focus being on candid feedback to help everyone grow. It’s a great support system, and following everyone’s writing journey—and dreams—is a lot of fun. Today’s event took some coordination—I must thank the organizers for making it a great day! If anyone reading this is in the area and interested in joining Blah, Blah, Blah, please contact me.