Pep Talks & Plot Twists

Words to Inspire:

"Be messy and complicated and afraid and show up anyway."

~Glennon Doyle

Hey friends,

Book One is DONE.

Like, “I hit 65k words and walked away smiling” kind of done.

Final edits are coming soon, but it’s off to beta readers—and the first report card is in.

95% positive.

Which, yes, could mean she’s lying because she likes me.

But I choose to believe my characters are that lovable and the story is that good.

Honestly? She said she’s emotionally attached to them. That’s the dream, right?

To make readers feel it. Mission (nearly) accomplished.

She also gave me constructive feedback that I’ve already used to strengthen the story before it hits formal edits on June 8.

Cover design is in the final stretch, and I’m hovering over the “reveal” button like a teenager staring at their crush’s Instagram. It’s coming. Soon. Maybe even next time.

In the meantime, while I wait for more beta feedback and editing magic, I’m diving into Book Two.

I’m about 10k words in, and—here’s the twist—writing 2,000 words a day is starting to feel natural.

Like brushing teeth, drinking iced coffee, or making inappropriate jokes about… everything.

The plan is three books in the series, published ideally 6–8 weeks apart, with the first dropping late fall or early winter.

No torturing readers with cliffhangers and year-long waits. You’re welcome.

And here’s a quick inspo blast, in case you need it:

I don’t plot. At all.

It’s not even organized chaos. It’s just my undiagnosed thoughts hardwired to a keyboard.

Despite all the writing advice, webinars, and “this is how real authors do it” talks—I kept thinking I had to outline first.

So I didn’t start. For years.

Then one day, an author I admire casually mentioned she winged the plot on her books (they’re phenomenal, by the way), and something clicked.

I started writing. And the story unfolded.

That’s not just a process win—it’s a life win.

When we stop forcing ourselves to be someone else’s version of “right” and start doing what actually works for us, wild things happen.

Like fully formed fictional people taking over your brain.

So if you’ve heard me tell that story before, forgive me.

But maybe someone here needed the reminder.

Do you.

Whatever that looks like.

Start today. Start small. Start messy.

But start.

Leaning into what you’re meant for is its own reward.

Also: social media.

Still weird.

Still a time suck worthy of a full-time staff.

But I’m starting to find the parts I can actually enjoy—not just tolerate.

Authenticity is becoming more natural, even if it means not appealing to everyone. And that’s okay.

The people who show up and stick around? Those are my people.

(Except the random DMs that say “Hi beautiful” with no other context. Block!)

Oh, and the naked accounts. We write spice, people. That doesn’t mean we have a porn fetish.

I don’t. If you do, no judgment. But also… can that be one of those things we don’t have to talk about? nervous laugh

Quick poll just for fun—when it comes to social media and being real:

A) Love it, I’m all in

B) I try, but it’s awkward

C) I’d rather eat glass

Reply with your letter—I promise no judgment. Maybe it’ll help me feel less alone on the emotional roller coaster of it all.

As for the extras…

No Health Habits/Hacks, Books & Beats, or Mad Dog Moments this time—mostly because I’m on a solo writing retreat that’s doubling as ten days of girl time with my adult daughters.

That they still want me around is a flex in itself.

Reading, writing, and iced coffee are flowing. My heart is full.

Let me know if you’re missing those sections—I’ll do my best to stick to the regularly scheduled program next time.

Want to see sneak peeks, spicy snippets, or character chaos in future newsletters?

Hit reply and tell me what you’d love more of—I want to make your inbox a place you actually want to be.

And since I don’t plot, you never know when something you say will inspire a scene, a character, a name.

Fun fact: I like using real-life things and people in my stories. But like any good writer, I twist them around just enough that you’d probably never know it was you.

About writing spice…

Let’s just say my two main characters are B.U.S.Y.

I’ll keep it PG here. The series will not. You’ve been warned.

I didn’t know how I’d feel about writing those scenes—or if I even would.

Again, not a plotter, so I didn’t have a roadmap.

Turns out I don’t mind writing them.

And while these books aren’t wild, I didn’t shy away from the intimacy.

I always said I wanted to be a spicy Judy Blume.

I think my stories are on track for that: sweet, swoony, and full of all the first-love things.

That’s it for this week—maybe a little rambly, definitely real.

If anything hit home, made you laugh, or made you want to argue (nicely), hit reply and tell me all the things.

I’ll be here, caffeinated and waiting…

Until next time—

Wishing you happiness, good health, and good books.

Love,

Carol