Sometimes writing comes slowly. Other times, you’re racing to the computer because you can’t get the words down fast enough. Since starting my standalone, that’s exactly how it’s felt, and it’s such a great feeling. If you get in the zone, get the words down before the moment is gone. #AuthorSky

I’m always revising something, whether I’m re-designing graphics, editing video captions, or my own book. Video captions are by far the hardest to edit because natural speech rarely follows the rules of grammar. But it reminds my writer brain that good dialogue shouldn’t sound perfect. #AuthorSky

Everything clicked with my new standalone, so I started drafting it yesterday and already wrote 750 words. Credit goes to my 11-year-old daughter, an advanced avid reader who read Harry Potter at 6. She came up with the high-concept techno-thriller idea, & it all came together so fast. #AuthorSky

I finally completed Book 5 in my series, but I’ve been itching to write a standalone. Now I have the idea, title, character sketches & story beats. All that’s left is to draft. Sometimes, in between books, it’s nice to step away from a series & write something different. #AuthorSky #BookSky

Finally finished my editing pass for Book 5. This time, I slowed way down & went line by line. I feel much more confident in the manuscript because of it. Editing isn’t the stage to rush. After revisions, I always read it once more from the top before sending it to my editor. #AuthorSky #BookSky

I can finally see the finish line: just 2 chapters left to edit in Book 5 of The Serpent Series. Then it goes to my personal editor before my publishing-house editor. No matter how skilled you are at editing, another set of eyes can make all the difference. #AuthorSky #BookSky

My favorite editing question isn’t “Is this well written?” It’s “If I deleted this scene, would the story change?” If the answer is no, the scene probably doesn’t belong. #AuthorSky #AmEditing

Have you ever nearly DNF’d a book, switched to listening thru an app like Speechify & suddenly it’s great? Sometimes the medium changes everything. The same story can hit differently through your ears than your eyes. Honestly, I don’t think Avatar would ever work as a book. #BookSky #AuthorSky

Unpopular opinion: I haven’t read a paperback in about 6 months, but I’ve read tons of ebooks. Never thought I’d be an ebook person, but I became one after I got published. Still read both, though lately it’s ebooks. At the end of the day, the story is still the same. 📚💙 #BookSky #AuthorSky

What makes you take a chance on an author you’ve never read? For me, it’s the premise + sample pages. Unpopular opinion: cover art isn’t as important to me as the writing itself. If I can’t get thru the sample pages, I’m not reading the book just cause the cover looks good. #BookSky #AuthorSky

How many books do you read at once? Right now I’m reading two: one by Harlan Coben & one by an indie author. It’s interesting to compare character & story development, pacing & structure while reminding myself that great stories come from all corners of publishing. #BookSky #AuthorSky

One thing I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older: there’s a difference between being direct & being straight-up rude & nasty. I’ve also learned that maybe things won’t change. But you won’t know unless you speak up & say something. Silence rarely changes anything. Speak up. #AuthorSky #LifeSky

People see the finished book. They don’t see the days when your brain is fried from work, balancing family and writing, the uphill battle of marketing, and pushing through exhausting edits. They just see the end product. Writers know what it took to get there. #AuthorSky #BookSky

I love writing dark crime thrillers, but I’m a multi-genre reader. Every genre has something to teach, whether it’s pacing, plotting, character development, worldbuilding, or genre bending. Reading widely has made me a stronger writer, and I’m always learning something new. #BookSky #AuthorSky

One thing I’m still learning is to recognize my bandwidth. When you’re mentally or physically maxed out, you have to listen to your body. You can’t write, create, or do your best work if you never take time to recharge. Self-care isn’t optional. #AuthorSky #HealthSky

They say not to judge a book by its cover, yet that’s exactly how most books are discovered. A great cover gets my attention, but the premise and sample pages are what convince me to buy. I never skip them. #AuthorSky #BookSky

If you’re building an author career while working and raising a family, don’t be afraid to ask for help. You don’t have to do everything yourself. Sometimes the greatest gift someone can give you is the time to write. #AuthorSky #LifeSky

I love the writing side of being an author. The business side can be brutal. Even with 15 years of marketing experience. It’s exhausting. This week, I came closer to giving up than I ever have. An author friend reminded me not to. Sometimes you need people like that in your corner. #AuthorSky

Been revising Book 5 and stressing over the cover art. I was completely stuck on the direction, but finally figured it out. That’s the perk of working with a small press or going indie. You get a say. Take the time to brainstorm so you don’t end up with a cover you hate or have to redo. #AuthorSky

Having an agent is only worth it if they can secure a strong advance or a publishing contract you couldn’t have gotten on your own. If they’re pursuing a small-press deal you could have secured yourself, giving up 15% may not be worth it. #AuthorSky

Authors have a responsibility in how they portray people. But telling an honest story sometimes means writing heroes, villains, racists, liars, criminals, and deeply flawed characters. You can hate the character without assigning their beliefs to the author. #AuthorSky #BookSky

I wrote The Serpent’s Bridge about undocumented immigrants targeted by a serial killer cause they’re vulnerable. One reviewer called it “woke.” Another turned the review into criticism of immigrants. What’s so wrong with empathy? I’m not apologizing for writing a woke book. #AuthorSky #BookSky

I’ve read lots of Harlan Coben’s books, but Home is the first one I’ve read in his Myron Bolitar series… and it’s Book 11. 😅 I’ve had readers do the same thing with my Serpent Series. Do you ever jump into a series out of order, or do you always start with Book 1? #BookSky #AuthorSky

Writing “rules” are guidelines, not absolutes. Yes, unnecessary filler words should usually be cut. But sometimes removing one changes the meaning, rhythm, or emotion of a sentence. Learn the rules first. Then break them with intention. Great writing is all about execution. #AuthorSky

So....David Baldacci contacted me with their AI email raving about my book. C'mon, what's the goal in pretending to be a famous author & contacting indie authors? What do these spammers/scammers/trolls expect to gain? Had trolls pretend to be agents & big pub, too. REALLY?! 😡 #AuthorSky #BookSky

KSI: Blocked!!

ALT: KSI: Blocked!!

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Editing while hungry doesn’t mix. I asked my daughter to make me peanut butter toast and tried to say, “I like my peanut butter with cheese.” What actually came out was, “I like my peanut butter with a semicolon.” I think that’s my cue to eat before editing again. 😅 #AuthorSky #AmEditing

In a digital world, it’s sad to see print slowly disappear. #Newspapers and magazines once came to life on presses like this one inside the old Fresno Bee building. Now it’s being demolished, with its final pages still frozen mid-run. #AuthorSky #Journalism

There’s a genre for every reader. I recently told a deeply Christian friend that my dark crime thrillers wasn’t for them. If someone asks about your book & you know it’ll clash with their belief, it’s best to be upfront. Every book has an audience, but not every book is for every reader. #AuthorSky

Some readers want every story tied up with a neat bow. But in a crime series, justice isn’t always immediate. Sometimes the villain gets away… for now. Ongoing stories leave room for consequences, growth, and bigger payoffs. Some endings are only the beginning of the fallout. #AuthorSky #BookSky

Writing a series under contract is rewarding, but it can sideline new ideas. You’re drafting the next book, editing the last one, reviewing audiobook files from an earlier one. Your brain stays inside that world. So if you’re hoping to write a standalone, you may not have the time to. #AuthorSky

Eugene Levy: We Don't Have The Time! (Schitt's Creek)

ALT: Eugene Levy: We Don't Have The Time! (Schitt's Creek)

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