My writing update 👩🏼‍💻

I've had many people ask me if I'm currently writing. Actually, I've also had others assume I was on to another book, since historically, that's usually been the case. Those who know me are usually surprised when I say no. I don't go into an explanation because I'm not entirely sure why I'm not writing. It's more like combinations of reasons.

After writing so much for so long (sometimes up to two books a year), I got burned out. I can't imagine successful authors, bestsellers, whose fans are always expecting the next book to drop. Then again, if I had that, I'd want to be writing all the time. Although the pressure could be a lot. 

After my last book, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, I just wanted to take a break. I wanted time to actually read books, rather than write them. I wanted time to relax, regroup, and see where the next book would be going. Unfortunately, that's where things stopped. I have notes. I have ideas. I'm sure if I started to write, I would get back into it like other times, but I just don't feel inspired to start.

Part of it is because I'm not successful. It's a lot of work and time for the few readers I have, despite all the efforts I've made to market my books over the years. The second reason is that people don't seem to read anymore. I can't tell you how many times I've had people say to me that either they don't like to read, or used to read but no longer can concentrate. I can't compete with that little device you have in your hand almost every minute of the day. Unfortunately, that device matters more to most people than books, actual relationships with other people, or even work, in some cases. Plus, throw in AI (and yes, there are books written with AI now), and concerning new bills being brought forward in some countries (including mine), I'm not sure if I have to worry about a censorship law creeping up on me. 

Not to sound like I'm making excuses either. If I really wanted to write a book now, none of that would stop me. I think my instincts are telling me it's not the right time....yet.

What do I think when I read my books NOW?

Time has a way of changing your views. What makes sense today sometimes won't make sense a week, month, or year from now. Of course, this is normal. We change as time moves forward. We see things differently, as we investigate and grow. It's progress.

Having said that, I often look back at various blogs, videos, and even my books and second-guess what I said, wrote, or even thought back when they were first created. That's not to say I always cringe when I read an old passage from one of my books or have the urge to delete blogs or videos from years ago. It would be more fitting to say that I understand where I was coming from at the time, but I feel differently now. Sometimes, it's about wanting to add to or expand the ideas I had back then; other times, I would've gone in a completely different direction. I've even considered remaking old videos for my YouTube and Rumble channels, but is that the best use of time? As for the books themselves, I definitely won't be rewriting 18 books!

Having said that, the work isn't terrible, but it isn't necessarily sitting as well with me as time moves on. I sometimes feel like a hypocrite because my views changed so much, and that's definitely reflected in my writing. But then again, I guess I don't have a large audience, so perhaps it doesn't matter anyway. 

I'm just curious if other artists have ever felt the same way? I wonder if readers even really notice or care? It's something I've given a lot of thought to lately. The funny thing is, for all the thought I've given it, no one else probably has even noticed. 

Do you prefer movies or a television series?

A few months ago, I had a discussion with a friend about which we preferred: movies or television series. He insisted that movies were better, and while he didn't say it, I have heard the argument that years later, we remember movie lines and scenes more than we recall the same from a series. There’s something that stays with you, much like a memory from your own life.

I tend to disagree because I feel like it takes time to warm up to characters. But then again, I prefer stories that are character-driven. A movie just doesn't do it for me. I'm not still thinking about most movies once I finish watching them, whereas I often will when it's a show I've been watching for a season or two. I'm assuming that the actors and writers for that specific show learn more about their characters and watch them evolve over time, similar to what I've always discovered when writing a book series. There are many layers, and some are removed faster than others. 

I've always had a difficult time writing one, standalone book that doesn't connect with others. Without getting into the full list of my books, I will say that the first four were couples, whereas everything after was part of my Hernandez series. Even Different Shades of the Same Color had a brief overlap that would drift into the series (that wasn't meant to be a series). It's kind of to the point that I assume that it's just not in me to write a book that's not at least a part of a couple, if not a series. It would just feel weird, and there's always so much story to tell. It's difficult to bluntly end it in one book. 

So, do you prefer watching a movie or streaming a series? Would you rather have a standalone book or one that leads to another....and another...... 

Book sale! Book sale! Everyone loves a book sale!

I was just on Amazon and noticed a couple of my books are reduced in price. Check it out 👇🏼

And the Devil will Laugh is ONLY $9.91! Last week it was around $30. This is a great deal! And We're All Criminals is only $6.37!! Only one left in stock so grab it now! 

Thanks for your support and have a wonderful weekend! 

The real reason that I write

If I had to get to the heart of why I write fiction, it would be to create powerful, fearless characters. And in turn, it’s with hope that it creates a powerful, fearless reader. Do I think that characters can influence the person on the other side of the page? I’m not sure, but I certainly will try.

This isn’t to say that all my characters start off in the best mindset. Many have to fight to survive, whether it’s from insecurities and bullies like Jimmy in A Spark Before the Fire or if it’s from losing a brother and being blamed, often brutally beaten like Jorge in the Hernandez series. Many haven’t started out strong, but they certainly rose to the challenge. And in a way, it teaches others that they must do the same.

We live in a difficult world now, and one where it’s often expected that you stay quiet, don’t speak out when you see something is wrong, and simply follow the herd. But the herd can eventually become your enemy if you let them. They can walk you right over the cliff. Unfortunately, we also live in a society where the need for acceptance is stronger than the need for truth. People just want to get through the day, and I do understand that, but you have to look at what’s on the other side of that day. 

So, who's really getting money from the Canada Council for the Arts?

I recently recorded a video where I talked about the Canada Council for the Arts. At that time, I stated that I was by no means an expert on the council, nor had I done deep, investigative research on the group; however, I did question why I was seeing their logo on almost every book published in Canada. I thought it was an interesting topic to ponder. 

In my limited research, I did see that there were questions surrounding the money spent (or misspent) within the organization, which seemed to favor urban areas, while not so much a fan of indie authors. As an indie author, I wasn't surprised; these kinds of organizations have poo poo indie authors for as long as I have been one, something I would've fought in my earlier writing years, but now see them as nothing more than another elitist organization. If you aren't a writer, you probably aren't aware that there's a general snobbery toward indie authors, supposedly because we are 'less than' the traditionally published lot. And if you know me, you also know I couldn't care less. 

But getting back to the topic at hand, I simply questioned how Canadians felt about more of their tax-paying dollars, in the tune of millions, being pissed away  distributed to particular Canadian artists. Knowing how most of our tax dollars are misspent, I'm guessing that most citizens are simply in a constant state of shell shock and really can't process it at this point. Our government spends like a billionaire on a minimum wage salary. 

Personally, as an author, I think it's only my responsibility to fund my writing projects and expenses, not the government. And definitely not the taxpayers. And if publishers in Canada can't stand on their own two feet, perhaps they should look inward and ask why, or, like most good businesses, start making cuts or changes. 

I know, what a strange concept. To learn more, check out my video.

Learn about my books! 📺

Check out What are my books about - both part 1 and 2!!

Video 1

Video 2

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Mima