I'm operating on 3 hrs sleep after picking up my husband at O'Hare in the middle of the night. I'm beat, but I've been mind-mapping a future book, so that's giving me energy. Every time I think of something new, I grab the sketchbook and make another connector to piece the puzzle together.

I had a great night's sleep, finally, but it's all wasted on this angst I'm feeling. There's so much I want to do and little time to do it with the day job. But I have to make a schedule, so I finalize all I want to get done.

I'm thinking about a publisher's rejection that said, "In my opinion, contemporary romances where everyone is very wealthy and set in a workplace-world are a little dated at this point. However, I do think it was something we would have had on our list like 6-8 years ago." ~2024

I made $.36 since uploading my book. Thank you to the reader who purchased it. I struggle with insecurity and fears about my writing and storytelling. I’ve been working for so long to gain trad publishing’s attention that I lost my spark for just writing what I wanted to read. A new me is here.

Can I entice you with my dulcet tones? Standard of Care audio sample…. Read by me! youtu.be/kML5uscmYQg?...

After a wonderful chat with @charishreidauthor.bsky.social I uploaded an updated manuscript of my first book ever. It's part of a three-book serial. I'm not offering this on KDP. If you're interested, I have it listed at $.99. Thanks so much if you read or share the link amzn.to/49DvdTi

ICYMI, I wrote a little thing about how the crafting of sex scenes in genre romance has taken a major hit in recent years. #romancelandia romancing-the-stoned.beehiiv.com/p/no-f-ck-is...

I'm beta-reading a manuscript that's so damn good, it's now 2:40am. I should be asleep. I should have been asleep 2 hours ago. Fuck it. I'm turning my alarm off and we'll just let the chips fall where they may 😭😭 Damn you, @rosemaryrey.bsky.social!!

The wind gusts in my part of Illinois are at 45mph, but it's very sunny...

How am I spending my Sunday afternoon as an ADHDer? Sorting my piles of papers to prep for taxes, paying medical bills (always paid last), and placing junk and old items in the shred box and trash. This is my idea of torture.

Mina Dot: Damn, Canada doesn’t have a gold medal. Me: Canada has Heated Rivalry. I think they won this year…

I'm trying to improve my skills so I can make more money, but the programs to enhance my skills cost money, which I don't have.

The scammers have got to stop...

Removing your wisdom teeth in your 50s without sedation, suffering from intense swelling and pain for days, is dumb. I'm dumb.

Omg, thank you for the sales, y'all! 🥹❤️ Just in case you missed yesterday's news: my novel, READ ME SLOW, is on sale $2.99, all January (wherever ebooks are sold).

I did quite a bit of writing in 2025 that I'm happy with, so how about a little wrap-up thread featuring my faves? First, of course, I've got my two novellas! One rock-star erotic romance, one MMF romantasy. Nobody’s Bargain: books2read.com/u/bxD0no Frostburn: books2read.com/u/47aYWq

Well, well, well, my writing caught Oprah's eye... Let's hope Hello Sunshine is next... These AI marketers are too much.

I've watched 3 of the Harlequin films on CW. I've been sending out the call for Lifetime to take one of their channels and make Romance films with "closed door" moments between the couple in the movie but with realistic passion scenes--game changer from first kiss is only given as the last scene.

I loved seeing Taj McCoy in Savvy Sheldon Feels Good As Hell as a receptionist early on in the film. Great to see an awesome Romance author of color get her book as a movie. I'm excited!

Chapters of Rebound by Rosemary Rey continues being published on #Wattpad, publishing a chapter a day until complete. Then it will be sold wide as an ebook. I have tuition starting again in 2027 when my baby starts her BFA in Theatre somewhere. www.wattpad.com/story/289895...

I purchased an iPad Air 13" to become my new laptop since my 2017 MacBook Air is dying. I'll be using Scrivener iOS, Dropbox, and Microsoft Word/Drive to work on my manuscripts. I'm recommitting myself to Indie publishing all of my work. I'm excited, but also...

The hardest part about querying for over 10 years is wanting to work with specific agents who are closed and only open by referral. I know no one. No one wants to take a shot a referring me. How am I to be seen by that coveted agent? #AmQuerying

I'm listening to a manuscript I started in 2022 and abandoned before finishing. I want to see if it holds up and if I can find the energy to finish it. I'm thinking about #querying. I could self-publish, but I haven't done that in years. It's like starting all over again.

I have evolved to watching Vertical Romances of all kinds. It's like Wattpad/Serials for multitaskers who can't take time to read in print and want more than an audiobook. I think I'll write Verticals like it's fanfic. Shout out to Joseph Purcell. Great young actor.

Here’s the link to file claims in the Anthropic case: www.lieffcabraser.com/anthropic-au...

My favorite author-friend Ella Dominguez (amazing writer) made my first covers but they needed a refresh bc I'm putting them back up on all eBook sites and Wattpad. I'm the worst cover artist but Depost Photos and Canva were lifesavers. Shout out to this model and photog too for making a series.

I wanted to use my iPad as a laptop but I can't open old Scrivener (Zip) files into Scrivener iOS. I feel so old and incompetent. I wanted to revise my backlist and re-upload my books to all eBook sites. I have to figure this out ASAP because I gave myself deadlines or it'll never get done.

My literary client told me during our chat that she is writing fan fiction while avoiding revisions. After almost 15 years of writing myself, this is genius bc when I avoid writing, I just don't write, and I feel guilty about avoiding writing. I haven't written since 1/24/25.

Is crediting the romance cover illustrator not a thing anymore? I sort of can tell who did the illustration most times, but when I go to check the front matter, there's no mention of the illustrator. It feels a bit gatekeepy.

The writerly urge to quit my job after my child graduated college so I can return to full-time writing again.

As a former professor/ADHDer, I have to study everything I take on. I've been on a craft-writing reading kick to inspire output/success, but I know all this stuff. I know what to do but applying it has been a challenge. I'm just tired of wanting this and "failing."

@MinaDotArt took two Character Illustration classes that help with Picture Books. Her final projects are so good and sweet. She has found her style and I'm so proud. One project could be a picture book and I'm hoping to help her finalize this story to sub bc it's so charming.

I moved a few drafted mss to Dropbox so I can use Scrivener iOS to revise bc my mentor reminded me that I belong in Romance even if Trad Publishing keeps saying I don't. I can't write a new book until I finalize all of the others and pub. I hope to self-publish them under a new pen name.

While binge-watching Poker Face, hubby walks into the living room and asks, "Is that Columbo?" And I couldn't even reject that notion.

Did anyone else cry from the beginning to end of Sinners—and still crying? Time to dust off that Caribbean Gothic I started 14 years ago, inspired by my grandmother. @MinaDotArt painted a portrait of my grandmother, and Ryan Coogler basically told me to not let go of my art!

For those who know that my MinaDot is graduating this year, she's working towards finding a job. Please send all the securing-the-job-vibes. She's a talented artist. I hope all her dreams come true. See the cover she did for @writercmichaels.bsky.social

I'm taking risks today. I'm typically risk averse, which is why I'm not as successful as I could be in all things publishing, which is what I want. But I'm getting too old not to try something new and go after what I believe I can do.

Seven of my self-pubbed books were found on The Atlantic's article about books being fed into AI for training/programming. I don't even earn from these books. I was supposed to re-release them so I can return to Indie Publishing, but this sucks the wind out of my sails. I hate AI.

I went to the Rheumatologist and as I answered the nurse's questions, I felt like I was overreacting, making a mistake, finding another reason to test, and never getting answers, but the doctor validated me. We shall see what the test results reveal. If nothing, fine. If something, I was right.

If you see this guy in a British Procedural or most shows, do not trust him. He has that handsome, mistrustful, double-crossing spy face.

I've received two picture book subs about grief in one day. It makes you think about how writers are feeling these days.

"Something has to change, Jeremy. I was not born to work." ~Judith, The Madame Blanc Mysteries "Same, girl, same" ~Me, this morning while working remotely.

I never expand on the reasons for my query rejection but I rejected a book with lots of potential but way too limited to the vast readership. Publishers want to imagine stories reaching more than just a small section of readers/buyers. Expanding reach in non-fiction is key to getting noticed.

I've been querying for over a decade. I know how much you want your work to be accepted and received, but don't mislabel your manuscript as one genre on QM when your query letter & synopsis are labeled contrary to Agent's acceptable genres. You're wasting time and energy.

Most powerful acting is when Albert is going through withdrawals and Charles tells him what’s what and carries him back home after he escapes to get morphine from Doc. Acting 101❣️

The hard part about being a paralegal when I'm a licensed attorney in another state is being told to get help and guidance from my supervisor when crafting petitions and proposed orders. Me, in my head...

Like Water For Chocolate remains the most frustrating mother-daughter/love triangle/unrequited love story ever. And I can't stand to watch the mother and middle sister's faces. The mother especially. But I will watch each episode smuggly waiting for their demise.

There's something to be said about story & chemistry & tension in a Romance film. Following Yonder Star had both and has been one of few Christmas films that have kept my interest this season. Too many films made that feel hodge-podge. This film felt like Hallmark films of yore.

If you don't binge watch "Somebody, Somewhere," you haven't lived. I have not stopped laughing at Season 2. OMG. MAX has established themselves as featuring gentle but real sitcoms that touch deep and lingers in your soul. Such great writing and acting and humor.