Sidetracked

Book #1 early version back in 2018! This was such an exciting moment.

Today, I set out to begin re-editing my second book of the Under the Soul Series called Behind the Seen. I was so excited, even though I knew I didn't have much time to dedicate to it after spending the last 3 months re-editing the first book. (My initial goal was to re-edit the second one by the end of October!) And losing momentum isn't an option for me at this point—this re-editing has been long in the making and it needs to happen right now.

The Timeline

As I'm writing this, it's October 2nd, and I had planned on getting back to my novel yesterday. I've given myself an ambitious goal: re-edit the story, change some scenes, and revamp the whole book with more polished writing. (It's been 6 years and my writing has improved—hopefully!) This is incredibly ambitious, but I have a small window... one that will close in December when I'll be forced to emerge from hermit mode and return to my day-job business. That being said, I need book #2 to be ready and book #3 to be fully drafted. Why? Well, I've been living off my savings for the past 6 months, and the well is starting to run a little dry.

So, my goal (because it's more than just an intention—I am dedicated!) is to re-edit book #2 in October, then write the first draft for book #3 in November, so that by the end of December, book #3 is ready to be edited.

I was planning on drafting book #3 with NaNoWriMo, but since it got shut down, I'll be trying ProwritingAid Novel November as my backup alternative because I really do need the collective energy to pull this off. (All of my first drafts were done during NaNoWriMo, so I know this is possible.)

Progress Check

The good news? I checked the first item off my list last week—book #1 is done! I've updated the manuscript on Amazon and ordered my author copies. I'll have a few "Collector Bundles" ready hopefully by the end of November for Christmas and holiday gifts. (ADHD brain, thank you for this idea!!! I'll need to grab my to-do list so I don't forget!)

If you want, drop a comment below telling me what you'd like to see in these bundles. I'm thinking signed copies of Book #1 and Book #2, a gift card for Book #3 (coming in 2026), quote and magic stickers, postcards, bookmarks, etc. Let me know what you think! This first bundle could be epic. But I digress... now back to the blog.

So Why Haven't I Started Today?

Why haven't I written yet when it's 12:40?? (Oh shoot... I have to get back in the house to make myself lunch!!!)

Well... the story goes a little deeper than just the random excuse of "I didn't have time."

You see, writing has always been a dream of mine, but the daily life of adulting and solo motherhood has taken a toll on my aspirations over the past 10 years. When do I write? Not when life is screaming for my attention and my involvement is needed on all fronts. The result: Book #1 was written in 2018 when I was laid off from a job and couldn't find work, and Book #2 when I was recovering from surgery.

You will have guessed it... I got a new change at coming back to writing this past fall after I was in a car accident AND lost my biggest client in my former business a few months later. I had to come back to writing. The signs were everywhere. But this window will soon close as, like I said, the well is running dry.

So, I haven't dived into Book #2 today because I was busy assembling my inspiration and thoughts for a business revamp, and it was going so well that time slid by. And here I am writing my notes in this author diary I felt inspired to create last night so I could track my journey as a neurodivergent brain, solo mom, and business owner who wants to, one day, make writing her full-time gig.

That's one hell of a day in the life of an author! (Ahahah... love how I could incorporate this Easter egg in here! Because in less than 12 hours, The Life of a Showgirl will be here to transform each of us, and I'm so here for it!)

Yours truly, Jennifer