It’s been a while since I posted anything and this update is well overdue. For those who have read my previous posts, you’ll know that I became rather burned out after NaNoWriMo. That experience stretched me in ways I never expected, and the result was a complete drain on my creativity. If my imagination were a car, NaNoWriMo put a boot on all four tires. I couldn’t even spin the wheels. As I plunked at the computer keys, everything turned into complete rubbish that I promptly deleted. I growled at the evil blank page before me and wished that if I stared at it long enough words would spontaneously appear.
So, I stepped away from the keyboard for a bit. I took time to rest my mind and spent a ton of time praying. I found myself asking God why I was hitting such a wall when I know he called me to write? And of course, why are you having me write this story when the book isn’t selling? Yep, so far book sales for The Spark have come to a screeching halt. It’s partially my fault. I’m terrible at marketing…for now. Don’t worry, I’ll get the hang of it! But it left me questioning if I was on the right track or not. Who was I to think I could become a full-time author?
After tons of prayers, the Father nudged me with a simple question: do you trust me? Ugh! You had to ask me that question, didn’t you? Such an innocent question, but one that hit me like a load of bricks. Do I truly trust him? I spent many sleepless nights talking at God (Yes, I was talking at him because that’s what I do when I’m frustrated.), but still he persisted; do you trust me? I finally opened my hands and said yes. Like a floodgate opening, my creativity gushed forth. I tidied up book two’s beginning written in haste during November to fulfill the NaNo word count and dove back into Elefrisia.
The Forge is coming along well now. Once again, I’m running beside my characters as they continue on this adventure and face harder trials than ever before. Elefrisian history is coming alive in my dreams and helping me to connect dots. I’m learning along with my characters as they grow and mature. I still don’t know what God is planning for me with this story, but I know he gave me this gift for a reason. If all goes well, I should be on track to publish book two by the end of the year. Prayers are always appreciated. Y’all are amazing and thank you for sticking with me on this crazy journey!