Pep talk.

Things have not been easy lately. Not writing-wise, not otherwise.

The good news is, it’s all research.

Every time you feel like things are spinning out of control? Research.

Every time you have to keep your anger in check? Research.

Every time you use semantics? Research.

Every time you stay quiet about something, resisting the urge to act on impulse and instead saving it for a more opportune time? Research.

Every time you keep a secret, particularly one of your own? You guessed it--research. 

It sucks to perpetually have a mood in flux. But if you were happy all the time, you wouldn’t learn a damn thing that would be useful for writing.

As you work to finish book 2, remember this:

Be authentic. This is who you are. Listen to those twisted thoughts; give them a home in your words. Let yourself be on the edge, where you belong.

Even slow progress is progress. (But when and where you can—for god’s sake, speed it up.)

It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be done. (Perfect—or as close to it as possible—happens after a few more revisions.)

Push through even when you’re tired or cold.

Allow yourself to feel.

Listen to your muses, wackadoo though they may sometimes be. Listen to the characters in your head when they start talking. 

You can do this.

In fact, you’re the only one who can write this book, these characters, this series. 

You can, and you will.