Where I Am Right Now: May 2018

“Just because everything’s changing
Doesn’t mean it’s never been this way before
All you can do is try to know who your friends are
As you head off to the war” – Regina Spektor, “The Call”

Ah, May. What a month. The dance semester comes to a close in a whirlwind of performances. The sun returns full-force, and I remember why I should never neglect sunscreen. God bless the kids who are stuck in school on majestic days like these.

Every year, I’m astonished by just how busy this season can be, and yet I look forward to it with unconcealed enthusiasm. The balance of full-time work, editing a novel and performing is still new to me, but it has been well worth the hustle. I love the stage, and I love storytelling. And this passion will be with me always. I just know it.

As I continue to plug away at edit 20/26, I’m frequently confronted by… well… myself. A lot of it has come, if not easily, then smoothly. And I find myself asking, “Am I being lazy? Is this my best work? Will my readers feel connected to it?”

Two thoughts branch from these. The first: I have been living deep in this fictional world for six years. It’s not unnatural that my characters feel like family and my world like home. This story is ingrained in me. It’s about time for everything to be smooth.

And the second: I’ve poured my blood, sweat and tears into this story… and not everyone is going to feel that love. And as hard as it is to look myself in the eyes and admit it– that’s okay.

When I started writing this book, it was for myself. And then, one day, it was for a friend. And her friend. And his friend. And anyone else who needed it– it was for them, too.

If you need it, it’s for you. It has been and always will be for you.

And if you don’t, I still believe there is a book out there that is for you. One that speaks to you as Princess Academy did to me when I was ten years old. And maybe, someday, you’ll find what you were looking for in my book, too. Either way, it will always be there if you need it. That’s how books are.

Yeesh. That got deep. I never mean for these updates to go as deep as they do. Bottom line: I’m still editing, it’s going very well, and I’m freaking excited to start blowing up my social media feeds with a release date soon.

One last thing: I read and adored The E-Myth Revisited this month. You can read my full recommendation of that here.

Phew. Alright. Have a marvelous weekend, friends. You make me smile.