The wand chooses the wizard

I thought I'd be picking one of two contemporary romances after editing "Dream Walker" and finishing "Canary: Out of the Shadows."

I thought.  😒

It was a cute thought. Full of intention and parsing out which appealed to me more. 

But guess what??? That, of course, didn't pan out. So what is Crystal doing? Oh. She's working on another fantasy romance. Because the title, two whole words, came to me, and I couldn't get it out of my wee brain.

Then it started unfolding like an origami swan.  

Oh, wait. And I have a rhyme to go with the story I plucked out from one word, "chandelier."

Do I need professional help? WAY ahead of you. Does it interfere with my wonky choosing of titles and soon-to-be books?

Thankfully not.

THIS is my process. Is it maddening? Oh, you betcha. But the chaos works for me. I'm chaotic neutral, by the way. 😄

Never you mind I have characters and notes for both contemporary romances. And all I have for the fantasy romance is a title, rhyme, and premise.

Let's do this shit! 💃💃💃

Designing woman

What other Indie Authors don't tell you is...you are in charge of everything. Emphasis:  EVERYTHING.

My short ass writes the books, designs the covers, markets the books, and everything else in-between. And let's be honest, I am NOT an artist in any way, shape, or form. I remember trying to make an owl in first grade with shapes, and let's just say my furry friend looked like it fell out of its nest. I can't draw a straight line. I can't draw a circle with any degree of accuracy. I simply am not THAT person. I love the hell out of you that are. 

I WANT a Personal Assistant. I WANT someone to handle ads, marketing, and newsletters. Realistically? Now isn't happening. 

Which leaves...me.

I'm proud of the covers I've designed. I've received many compliments on my "Canary" covers. That gave me a boost to subscribe to Canva and act like I know something about it. I may not know dick about design, but I know when something clicks--same as my writing.

I can look at a design and see what works and what doesn't. Placement, font, and colors. And I will mess with it until I get that "click." (I struggle with wanting to put that damn period after the quotations, but I guess now it goes IN? 😒)

I've now designed my book covers, adverts, and signage. I open Canva like a woman with a purpose. I've leaned into it. 

Is there a room in my house which I've had designing plans for years? Why yes. Yes, there is. Will that ever happen? No comment at this time.

But did I make two signs today I absolutely love? Hell yes, I did. 

I'll take my wins where I can get them.

Authors, I'm here to say you CAN do it. By your damn self. All of it. Is it overwhelming? Of course it fucking is. But is it doable??? Of course it fucking is. Have faith in yourself and that drive that makes you put pen to paper or fingertips to keyboard.

YOU. CAN. DO. IT. 

(Will not be posting the Rob Schneider gif. but you get the picture.) 😉

Psychological Thriller

For my lovely readers who aren't into romance, I offer up this psychological thriller:

Dream Walker

Available Winter 2025.

******************

Rissa Clay is a dream walker. She enters and controls dreams. Weaponized as a child and kept from the outside world, Rissa kills her nocturnal “targets” to stay alive. Rissa, shaped into a ruthless serial killer, escapes, and vows to make her handlers pay for years of abuse.

Sweet dreams.

Mornings can bite me

My new time to wake up is 4am. I was not consulted about this completely indecent hour. It simply...happened. 😑

I've never liked waking up early. I've done it out of necessity. No one is happy in Whoville this morning.

On the other hand, I've a list of things to do today, and I may as well start before the sun even rises. 

Blog

Switch "Captivation" to Kindle Unlimited. (Can I do that? We shall see.)

Write on "Canary: Out of the Shadows"

Figure out which Contemporary Romance I'm working on next

Finally clean out my bags from the last two author events

Various and sundry other matters

Write down upcoming author events in sacred calendar

Figure out titles to take for upcoming author events

As you can see, it's not for lack of items to-do. It's for complete lack of ambition in this ungodly morning.

Maybe this is my new normal? 😱

Perish the thought.

And pass me a Pepsi.

Comings and goings

Absolutely had the BEST time at "Book Me Romance" 2025! Chatted with readers and other authors, ate some phenomenal quesatacos from Birrieria Le Jefa, and sold some books. 🥳🎉

I've already signed up for next year. I'll have new and improved SPARKLY bags and at least two new titles! 😊💖

I'll finish "Canary: Out of the Shadows" before the end of the year, which will complete my "Canary" trilogy. I'm going to miss Ray. She's damaged to hell and back. Literally. But that woman has my heart and soul. May have to do more with the series or cameo her in other books. I can't say goodbye yet!

I started writing a psychological thriller early early this year. Plowed through about 40k words and then hit my depression roadblock. I'd like to finish that.

Also, there are at least two contemporary romance I need to write. I'm leaning more toward one than the other, but I want to finish at least one within a year. 

Busy with the blessed gbabies over the summer (the heathens...for you in the know). Now I have medical appts every Tuesday and Thursday for a month and then Thursdays. I still have therapy and appts with my mental med doc. The only days that look fairly clean are Saturday-Monday.

Puts more pressure on me, but hopefully, that's a kick in the butt--not the teeth. 

Packing...for "Book Me Romance"

I have no idea how "normal" people do anything.

Me? I make out several lists, duplicating much, and like to get my shit together in a panic. You know, like real people. 

Doing a final book count today for what I'm taking. Need to print and laminate. Pack the car. Pack my suitcase.

Feel the unraveling of my planning at warp speed. ZIP ZOT ZOOM

I have three appointments today. And what good luck they coincide on the day before I take my trip. 😶

Baha...ha.

Oil change this morning. Hair this afternoon. Therapy mid-afternoon.

I think we all can see these are necessary but time-consuming.

Also put in a WM order, but I'm not picking that up until tomorrow morning. Which, in case you wondered, was NOT the best planning because I need my chocolate-covered pretzels...STAT!

And planning for one night is crazy but necessary. I'll pack everything, and it'll take me at least a week to unpack. I like to wait until I actually NEED something before I remove it from the suitcase. Because why do everything at once?

Who ARE you people???  😂

Then my wonderful brain cycles through the "Did I forget something?" portion of the show. Like this is life or death, and if I don't bring black sharpies, scissors, and tape...my world will end.

Thanks to my neurodivergent brain...that's exactly what it feels like. 

And I've put this off until the last minute so I'm actually using a list of things I need from an OLD list. 

Don't judge me.

I'm too busy judging myself.

But wait!

Then it will be time for the book event. And I will release endorphins and soothe my itchy brain for most of the day. I'll have the opportunity to network/meet new authors, greet my old friends, and mingle with readers from all over.

I will PEOPLE so much! 🥳

Then I'll crawl home, hug my bed, and start writing on what I have in queue. It's a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs that comes with being an author. 

We live for these events.

Some of us a bit closer to the edge than others. 😑

Book Me Romance Author Event 2025

I'm on the road again!

Please join me this Saturday, August 16th, in Ft. Smith Arkansas. 😊

It'll be my second year attending Book Me Romance, and it's always a good time!

Come meet wonderful authors and rub elbows with other devoted readers. 

Reality check

It's easy to be wrapped up in my head and forget certain things. I live in my head quite a bit, as it is. But it's nice to have a reminder that I'm actually living my dream.

Red Dirt Romance Book Event was an event for the ages. OKRWG simply puts on one of the best book conferences of the year, and it continues to grow.

I listened to Jill Monroe and Gena Showalter give a presentation about characters. I heard agents speak on the ins and outs of submitting and accepting book offers. I listened to authors talk about their journeys and remind me of why I started.

And the book signing?

I love all of you. From those who simply wanted a signature to those who bought three of the five titles I offered. Every minute I spent talking to readers and other authors is nearly sacred. These are my people. Will always be my people. And I'm so incredibly grateful for every experience allowing me to connect like this did.

I leave you with these two pictures from a wonderful reader, Amber. (I remember her well, as that is my sister's name.) This is her book haul, and you'll see my Contemporary Romance title, "Over Her Head." That is wonderful enough. But look at the company my book is keeping.

It's rubbing spines with authors like Candice Gilmer, Avery Kingston, Lauren Smith, and yes...!!! 🥳

...THE Gena Showalter.

Forever grateful for the readers and opportunities. 😌

It's 8:30 am, and I'm already eating chocolate

I love book conferences. There is, however, that eternal nagging feeling I'm missing something in my packing frenzy.

Books? Cart to transport? Laminated sheets with prices and info? Business cards? Tape? Scissors? Sharpies? 

???

I'll be signing books today from 2-5 at the Red Dirt Romance Book Event. I love chatting with readers and fellow authors. There is literally nothing that comes close to being around likeminded people who love to chat about the written/spoken word.

I attended sessions yesterday, and it always fires me up to hear authors talk about their journey and experiences. 

However, the seats are unforgiving, and I'm almost paralyzed today. I even turned the seats around so I could lean into them-forward.

My spine is pissed.

Thank you, Fibro, you whore.

I'm skipping the morning sessions because doing 5 hours at my table will probably be all I can handle, at this point. Honestly? It'll probably damn near kill me. Going to bring a lumbar pillow to see if that helps.

Hope your Saturday is a good one.

Wish me well!