You know the saying, “Easy as pie.” Cliche and all that. But I don’t think anything in life is easy as pie. I love writing. I mean, love it with a passion. But I hate all the crap that comes with it. I hate marketing. I don’t feel like I’m good at it, or I don’t know where to start, or everyone currently wants to read a BDSM book about a kid’s step-brother’s dragon, and I don’t write books in any comparable category to what’s HOT. But even people who write what the public wants still have to throw themselves out there–into the fire. And sometimes I wonder why I do it, because writing is like a scoop of pain mixed with pleasure (like love). Then I remember I love it and without writing there’d be too much pain or too many characters talking in my head with nowhere to go.

My love of writing came from my childhood. As a kid I used to disappear to my room and play with paper dolls for hours. Some of them I cut out of the Sears catalog. I named them, created families, dialogues, and elaborate stories for my paper dolls. I created apartments out of my bookcases for my Barbie dolls. I wrote stories down, never finished them, but the stories still came to me. I loved to read and write, but I never made As in English. I always made Bs. I struggled with thoughts of my writing not being good enough (I still struggle with this). I wanted to be perfect (I still sometimes do). I still have to tell myself perfection doesn’t exist. The authors who have made it did so because they’re bulldogs like JK Rowling who worked their asses off and didn’t take no for an answer. They didn’t let rejection get them down or the 20th pushed back deadline or the fact that procrastination seems to flow through their blood (I don’t know if Rowling procrastinates, but I do–way too much).

My book is supposed to be out on the 29th. I’m hoping it will at least hit Amazon by then so I can direct you all to the link. Writing and publishing a book can be frustrating in so many ways. I’ve had to depend on other people to edit, proofread, and market my book. I’ve had to wait for layout, for the cover, but in the end I know it will be worth it. I’ve worked with some great people over at Booktrope on The Devil Within: Nikki Lutz, JC Wing, Sheri Williams, Greg Simanson, and not to mention the layout team and Jesse James. These people know what they’re doing as I stumble my way blindly in the dark trying to figure it out for the first time. Publishing a book is the equivalent to waiting for a big bowl of ice cream after you finish your food; you know it’s going to taste so good but first you have to eat your Brussels sprouts (I do love Brussels though, so maybe this isn’t the best analogy)

All of this to say, I’m still hoping The Devil Within will be out by June 29th. Stay tuned to this site to see if it is. And don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter at http://eepurl.com/bo4ILP.