After almost six years, I am finally publishing a new novel. And I have to say, I am pretty nervous about it. Unlike "Mythtefied," in which the entire world was fiction, this one draws upon my life long struggle with anxiety. And it's anxiety provoking to put it out there for the world to see, to lay bare my insecurities and inner turmoil. But my hope if that if at least one person can relate, and say, "I'm not the only one," then I will be happy.

As you can probably tell, it's not fantasy like "Mythtefied." It is titled "Gem of Anxiety" and i hope you like it. Coming soon! 

I wish memories were clear. That you could rewind and see exactly what happened. That they weren't a garbled mess where you can't remember the order of events. It's just snip-its. Out of order. Out of context. The next day you remember something that seemed meaningless at the time. But now it doesn't. But you can't place when it happened. What happened before or after. What it actually means. It is lost. But it isn't. Just the meaning. The events surrounding it. The depth. And you will never know.

It's the weirdest situation. You don't want to be there. You're literally forced to be there. And these people are putting on this whole production for YOU. Speaking to you. Directing everything to you. You are the most important people in the room, so they repeatedly tell you, and you are like hostages. You will go to jail if you don't go. And you have no idea what's going on. You have no information. And everyone else knows everything. It's like a dream where you didn't know you had an exam. It's so weird. I hope it never happens to me again. Or do I?

I am excited to announce that Mythtefied is a Finalist in this year's National Indie Excellence Awards! It is a great honor!

Check it out here:http://www.indieexcellence.com/11th-annual-finalists-more

At my first book festival, someone asked me a question that caught me off guard, so I didn't have an answer for him at the time.  How did I, a female, end up writing about a male protagonist? My answer was a stupid one.  "Well, most demigods were male in myths."  No wonder he just put the book down and walked away.  The truth is, when I am writing, I can be whoever I want to be.  I can be male, female, short or tall, successful or dejected.  Anyone.  Anything.

And another question I get asked is, "which character is based on you?"  And the answer to that, is all of them.  They are all a part of me, some just the smallest or rarest parts, but still me.  Who hasn't felt vanity?  Even if just for a moment?  Then you know how it feels to be vain.  You can roll that into a character so wrapped up in herself that she can't think of anything else.  And who would be the inspiration for that?  Why me, of course.  If I have ever felt the feeling, then I can write it, and imagine it, and create a character to embody it. 

So how did I end up writing about a boy who is a demigod?  Because he's me.  I felt it and embodied it myself so I could write it all down for you.  I am all of my characters, even the male son of a god. 

Coming soon, thoughts on writing, life, upcoming events and more!