Step Back to Reset

 I’m already three days into the third week of August.  

Now, for some reason, it feels as though time is running out.

I was up until sometime after 5 a.m. this morning, designing the cover for my next book. I wrote it a long time ago, and unlike You Remain, I felt like the concept was missing something. I felt like there was no way to truly end it—so I decided then to turn it into a series. But as I re-read and edit, I want it to end—and end clean and certain. In the same way You Remain ended.

Instead of drawing the story out, I decided to pivot and make it something more tethered to who I am and the way I write—even if the story is truth laced with fiction.

You Remain was a labor of love that I completed within two weeks, even though the initial write-up was almost a year ago. I had published this second book before—it was the first book I ever published—but I hadn’t really done the groundwork necessary to earn the right to publish it. It was messy and lacked structure. Not the writing, but the syntax, punctuation, and cohesion.

At the time, I just wanted to write and publish and have people read my work.  

It didn’t happen that way.  

Anyway, this post is not about that.

I’ve been feeling so far removed—and a bit exhausted, with reason.  

I stay up late to work, and then I get up late because I stay up late.  

My past two blog posts felt contrived as a result and didn’t really echo my voice.  

Yes, I hear I have a voice and a writing style.  

They felt a bit generic and forced.

But not to worry—I spent the better part of today rewriting and editing.  

I’m particularly proud of the most recent post, Suit Up, as my son did the artwork for it. We collaborated. I asked him to draw something for my blog. He drew the Armor of God, and I went with that. Go read that post if you haven’t already.

He used to write stories too—and so did my daughter.

I feel pressed for time these days, and pressured to post because I told myself I would do so consistently. I’ve been pretty good at committing to each goal I’ve set and have knocked each one out of the park. But lately, I’ve been leaving things up in the air.

This is my step back to reset. Looking forward to Monday.

Writing Process, Creative Reset, Book Cover Design, Publishing Journey, Reflection, Spiritual Growth, Family Collaboration, Legacy Building, Editing and Revision, Blogging, Consistency, Personal Growth, Truth and Fiction,