It’s such a great feeling when my editor at the publishing house says the newest book is their favorite yet. The Serpent’s Order (Book 4) just earned that praise—she said my writing keeps getting better and better. Couldn’t ask for more motivation to keep going. #AuthorSky

Fun fact: I can write serial killers without blinking… but Ferris wheels? Terrifying. At the fair yesterday, my 10- & 4-year-old had to reassure me: “Mommy, it’s going to be okay. Just don’t look down.” My younger self rode every rollercoaster. Older me turned into a wimp.😅 #AuthorSky #ParentSky

It’s a little frustrating—book marketers keep emailing me, then replying to their own messages every few days: “Did you get my last email?” Finally, I told one, “I’m not interested at this time.” They replied: “Alright, but why?” Respectfully, I don’t owe you a reason. #AuthorSky #BookSky

Can’t wait to wrap edits on my #audiobook & finally have it out in the world. It’s taking longer than I hoped, but hearing the story come alive in a new medium makes every round worth it. Soon, readers will be able to discover my book—and listen to it. #AuthorSky #BookSky

This is really fun—there’s a big fair in Fresno every year & the kids are loving it. Nice to get out, soak in the energy, & not think so much about my broken wrist. Sometimes you just need to pause the stress & enjoy life. #AuthorSky #ParentSky

Not big on pain meds—I hate taking them. But with this broken wrist, the pain’s still so bad I don’t have a choice. Silver lining: I’m in the editing phase of my audiobook, working w/ the narrator before it’s published—resting my arm while listening & making correction notes. #AuthorSky #HealthSky

Got my permanent cast today—fiberglass, thinner & lighter than the temporary one. Bright yellow, my favorite color. Trying to look at the bright side: only 4 weeks instead of 8. #AuthorSky #HealthSky

It’s been a long time since I joined a pitch session. Didn’t realize #DVpit moved to BlueSky, but I might take a chance. I’ve got a standalone w/ dual POV (teen + adult), so I’ll pitch it as Adult on Oct 8. Worst case scenario, I get no likes. Might as well try. #AuthorSky

Getting my cast tomorrow & hoping it’s less bulky than this temp one. If I’m stuck w/ it for 8 weeks, that’s basically end of Nov—right when we go to Hawaii. Fingers crossed it’s off before Thanksgiving. This sucks. 😫 #AuthorSky #HealthSky

Ever since I broke my wrist, I’ve felt claustrophobic with my arm stuck in this cast. I know it’s needed to heal, but it still makes me feel trapped. As a writer, it’s brutal—one small wrist controls the fingers, the hand, the words. Funny how much of us depends on the smallest parts. #AuthorSky

Had this grand plan: write my standalone novel & Book 5 of the Serpent Series (under contract). Book 4’s w/ the editor, edits still ahead. Then I broke my wrist. Thick, clunky cast—still managed 1,563 words today. Kept hitting the wrong keys w/ the cast in the way, but 2 chapters down. #AuthorSky

Well, this is effing awkward. Gotta prop my arm on a pillow, angle my fingers just right to reach the keys. Typing like this is going to take some getting used to. It’s only temporary; the orthopedic will put on the actual cast, & I’ll ask if they can make it easier to type. #AuthorSky

Waited two days before finally going to the ER—turns out my wrist is broken. They put me in a temporary sling, and I’ll get the official cast this week. Six weeks at least. Going to be interesting finding a comfortable way to keep writing…even managed 500 words yesterday. #AuthorSky #HealthSky

Calling all thriller book lover. The Serpent’s Order (Book 4) An assassin is forced into a black-ops task force to hunt a ruthless drug lord, while a detective uncovers a zombie drug deadlier than fentanyl—two fronts of the same deadly war. Read it early. ARC signups open. #AuthorSky #BookSky

I thought I could just wrap my wrist injury and it would be okay, but it hasn’t stopped hurting. My hand is swollen now. I had no idea wrist injuries could hurt this bad. Haven’t gone to the doctor yet, but I might have to go to the ER tomorrow. Really hoping it’s not broken. #AuthorSky

Last night I tripped over my son’s stool and sprained my wrist. It’s swollen, hurts like hell, and I can’t move my fingers the way I want. You don’t realize how much you need your wrists until you hurt one. But pain won’t stop me from writing. #AuthorSky #WritingCommunity

Can’t be glued to the laptop all day—being an author and a parent means trading writing for adventures. We left beach life for farmland, and today’s chapter was a farm visit: a petting zoo and a seven-story treehouse. Proof that wonder isn’t just on the page. #ParentSky #AuthorSky

We never thought to crate our 17yo Japanese Chin, Abigail—but with her doggy dementia, it was night & day. Out in the open she just stands, paces, won’t settle. In the crate, she finally lays down & relaxes. Feels like we’ve found something that brings her comfort. 🐾❤️ #AuthorSky #PetSky #DogSky

My 17-yr-old Japanese Chin, Abigail, has Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (doggy dementia). She’s lost her senses—can’t see, hear, or smell. She just wanders, bumping into walls. I’m at that heartbreaking point of deciding if it’s time to let her go. #AuthorSky #PetSky #DogSky

Unbelievable. Under “diversity & inclusion,” a job app only let me pick one ethnicity (I’m two.) But that wasn't the worst part. It asked for my age range. Give me a break—that’s not inclusion, that’s ageism. These kinds of questions should be illegal. #AuthorSky #JobSky

Part of moving to Fresno from the beach is adjusting to the triple digit heat. 🥵 Out here, winter can’t come fast enough. Grateful for all the water parks—at least the kids can splash & stay cool while we count down the days. #AuthorSky #ParentSky

As a BIPOC author from the ghetto, I fought for a BA & MA in film. When my 21-yr-old Hispanic babysitter said she was “meant” for dead-end jobs, I told her: No. Start at community college, transfer, earn the degree you want. Be a role model—you never know who needs it. #AuthorSky

Just saw @stephenking.bsky.social shout out his assistant’s book & ask everyone to buy it. Man, I’m jealous. As a mega-fan, I’d be his assistant for free—imagine Stephen King not only promoting your book but actually reading it?! #AuthorSky #BookSky

Some of the best detective thrillers I’ve read weren’t Big Five—they were small press or indie. Reading one now and it's so good. As an author in the genre, I’m always struck by how many gems the gatekeepers overlook. #AuthorSky #BookSky

Wrote 1,060 words in a new standalone while gearing up for Book 5 in the Serpent Series. Never tried writing two novels at once, but I’m giving it a shot. Worst case, I focus on one if I can’t juggle both. Best case, they both come to life. #AuthorSky #AmWriting #BookSky

Before I start a manuscript, I get hit with performance anxiety. What if I can’t finish? What if I stop? What if I get blocked? What if it sucks? All just noise—imposter syndrome whispering lies. The fight is tuning it out & pushing forward. The words always come. #AuthorSky #BookSky

Just got promoted to janitorial engineer for two VIPs: Ziggy & Kiko. They weigh less than a sandwich but create enough poop to keep me scrubbing 5–6x a day. Since long-haired #guineapigs do need baths, here’s Kiko after her luxurious spa day—tiny tyrant, squeaky clean. #PetSky

I felt like my 4yo was picked on—his old preschool complained daily, said he never listened. We moved. New school, new teacher: night & day. She says he’s really good, listens, very attentive, a great student & not a problem at all. Sometimes it’s not the kid—it’s the teacher. #ParentSky #EduSky

Harrassed by book marketers! One marketer emailed me w/ “[Book Title]” still in their AI pitch. Another praised a book I didn’t even write (I Know How You Feel). Someone called me “Kay” & gushed over Baby Be Mine—NOT MY BOOK OR NAME! 44 spammy marketers in a month. BLOCKED! #AuthorSky #BookSky

I did it! Book 4 of my thriller series is officially through my edits & off to my editor. Now the wait begins for feedback. This one felt different—high concept, intense, one of my favorites to write. Loving the direction my thriller series is taking. #AuthorSky #BookSky

There’s a milestone you don’t expect: knowing your series so well you don’t need beta readers. Mine is acquired, & I work directly with my Editor at the Publishing House. You reach a point where doubt falls away—and you can finally say, I love every page of it. #AuthorSky #BookSky

Not every 1st draft is a disaster. That's a writing myth. Sometimes it’s clean on a line level, plot & characters fleshed out. With practice, some writers revise as they write. But even the strongest drafts are clay—editing is where you sculpt & let the story shine. #AuthorSky #AmEditing #BookSky

Twilight of the Serpent is $0.99 through Sept 25 & recently ranked in the top 0.1% of all books on Amazon 📚✨ Had 21 “book marketers” reach out—false promises, pricey pitches, many with no websites & an AI summary of my book. If you get hit up, watch for these red flags. #AuthorSky #BookSky

A big part of revision is listening. Reading silently won’t catch clunky dialogue or stiff sentences the way hearing it aloud does. I use Speechify Pro to hear my draft before sending it to my editor—game-changer for spotting fixes early. Highly recommend. #WritingCommunity #AmEditing #AuthorSky

I’ve noticed I rewrite first chapters in standalones more often. With a series, you know the characters so well it feels controlled. Standalones push me out of my comfort zone, and writing both keeps me flexible. Don’t be afraid to stretch beyond what feels easy. #AuthorSky #BookSky

I’ve noticed heavy backstory tends to pile up in chapter one—maybe because we feel like we have to catch readers up. I’m guilty of it too. Stripping it back, I’ve learned showing > telling. But backstory isn’t evil—it has its place when woven in right. #AuthorSky #BookSky

I used to be all-or-nothing, but extreme thinking gets you stuck. If you can’t write 1k words, it’s better to write one sentence. If you don’t feel like an hour at the gym, it’s better to walk 10 minutes. Progress is in the small steps & lives in the gray, not in black & white. #AuthorSky #LifeSky

It’s always a hustle marketing your own book—so here comes the shameless self-promo 🙃 A vigilante. A detective. An honorable soldier. And an obsessed ex-wife. A stalker with a twist you won’t see coming. Twilight of the Serpent (Book 3) is just $0.99, Sept 18–25. #AuthorSky #BookSky

Since getting back to the gym I’m down 4 pounds, and at the desk I’ve drafted 930 words in my new standalone. Different kinds of work, same principle: small, consistent steps add up. Progress doesn’t always feel big in the moment, but it builds into something lasting. #AuthorSky #FitnessSky

Started a new standalone while editing Book 4. I’ve never drafted 2 books at once, but I might try for the first time. Let’s see if I can. After Book 4, it’s straight into Book 5 of the Serpent Series (contract calls.) Curious—do you juggle more than one draft at a time? #AuthorSky #BookSky

The human will surprises me—just when we think we can’t go further, we do. 💪 Day 4 at the gym. Same with writing: I finished drafting Book 4, now into edits before starting Book 5. Momentum is everything. If there are days you want to give up—DON’T! #AuthorSky #HealthSky #FitnessSky

Some authors can draft 2 books at once—I can’t. I have to focus on one project & right now the Serpent Series is pulling me. My advice: chase the book that’s clearest in your head. Jot down other ideas so you can return to them later, but ride the momentum where it’s strongest. #AuthorSky #BookSky

Wrote a standalone thriller with dual POVs- 2 MC: one teen, one adult. I see it as adult fiction w/ YA crossover. I don’t believe a teen POV automatically makes a book YA especially when you have another main character adult POV. Curious if anyone else feels the same. #AuthorSky #BookSky

2 days in a row prioritizing time to hit the gym. 3.23 miles. 448 calories. 1 hr 5 min. Sitting on my butt writing/editing all day catches up quick. Feels good to be back at the gym to rebuild healthy habits—more energy, more clarity, more brain juice for the words. #AuthorSky #FitnessSky

For 5 years I had an agent, then parted ways. Meanwhile, my small press offered me an 8-book contract for my series. But there’s a standalone manuscript I never queried, and I’ve decided to give it a shot. Querying is never fun, but if you don’t try, you’ll never know. #AuthorSky #BookSky

Writing is a sedentary grind—hours spent editing, drafting. Plus working from home. I realize I’m less mobile. Finally joined the gym. Time to get energy flowing again, build strength, & recharge the body that carries the words. #AuthorSky #FitnessSky

Don’t think of myself as a fast writer, but the quickest I’ve ever finished a book was in 2 months. A standalone, not part of my series. I tucked it away & just recently dug it back up. #Amediting it & rediscovering it with fresh eyes. Sometimes stepping away gives the best perspective. #AuthorSky

Celebrated finishing my book with a date night out with my husband. 🌙✨ Tip to fellow authors: celebrate your small wins. Against all odds, I finished—and sometimes that’s the fuel that keeps you writing the next one. #AuthorSky #BookSky

I FINISHED BOOK 4. 🎉 89k words in 4 months—through appendicitis, moving, losing my 17-yr dog Abraham, & my mother-in-law’s passing. It proves the human spirit is stronger than we think. Book 5 is next. #AuthorSky #WritingCommunity #BookSky

When people doubt you—whether it’s a beta reader tearing your book apart or someone saying it’ll never get published—the best revenge is success. Prove them wrong. That’s the win. Never let naysayers stop you—surround yourself with those who believe in you. #AuthorSky #BookSky