When you were a kid, did you dream about flying? Did you think maybe you were a princess who somehow ended up with the wrong family? I had all of those wild imaginings. I'd play outside, creating elaborate stories where I was a Native American, an alien, a sheik in a faraway desert - anything other than a normal kid living in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas. My Barbies led fantastic lives on vast ranches with their Breyer's horses. Is that where my storytelling started? I've often wondered. Was my creativity seeded by all the books I read - Nancy Drew, Black Beauty, Misty of Chincoteague? |
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At some point, I started spinning my own tales. In high school, I took created writing classes and in college, I was an English major with a creative writing specialty. And then I stopped writing. Instead, I pursued an MBA, a job, a family. I didn't write for decades. One day, I started writing again. After the 2016 election. I had family members on both sides of the political divide. I wondered how we'd get along again. And so, I started writing a story about two cousins on opposite sides of the political spectrum. The story unspooled into an entire novel (one that remains in a drawer). |
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I didn't tell anyone outside my family about my writing for a long time. I doubted I was good enough, that writing wasn't a serious career, that I'd never be published. Slowly, I began to talk about it. Then, I had to learn to share my words with others, another big hurdle. Those same self-doubts came right back. Fortunately, the community of writers is caring, and I found I didn't crumble under their feedback. |
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Publishing became a whole other set of worries. But my desire to have people read my novels surpassed my fear. I still worry every time I publish. With Five Tries to Get It Right, I worried about handling a character's mental illness in a way that wouldn't trigger readers. I hope my next novel and first sequel, El Diablo, does justice to Tequila Midnight, my first Jessica Watts novel, and still my best-selling novel to date. Sometimes I even have to force myself to hit "send" on these emails. I'm concerned they won't be interesting or will be far too long (like today) or too short. Thanks for bearing with me as I figure this out. I appreciate hearing when people like my books and emails. Here's to living with doubt and moving forward anyway. It's the only way to reach our dreams. |
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The audiobook version of Tequila Midnight is on sale! For a limited time, Chirp has the audiobook version of Tequila Midnight on sale for just $0.99. Tequila Midnight is an electrifying suspense/mystery novel with an R-rated edge. Take advantage of this deal before it's gone. The sequel, El Diablo, comes out in August. | | |
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Searching for an action-packed thrill ride or a twisty whodunnit? Look no further! I've joined a multi-author promotion where these mystery, thriller, and suspense writers bring you their best storytelling! Over 100 mysteries and thrillers for your TBR pile today! Click for more. |
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Happy Travels: Whitsunday Islands, Australia |
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The snow-white sand in this part of the Whitsunday Islands is made up of pure silica and in the water, it releases bubbles when you walk on it. This beach was featured in Five Tries to Get It Right. |
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