Pep Talks & Plot Twists

Words to Inspire:

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

~Theodore Roosevelt

Hey friends,

The good news? I’ve been cranking out words like I’m on deadline for a bestseller.

The bad news? Somewhere between the gym, a renewed sense of routine, and California’s fickle spring air…I got hit with a “mild” cold that straight-up kicked my ass.

Let’s just say, my body needed rest but my brain stayed buzzy. And Mad Dog was just happy with the return of our couch potato bonding time.

But here’s the truth—I didn’t wallow (okay, maybe just for a day or two). I kept writing. I soaked up the sun (thank you, California weather). And I reminded myself: momentum doesn’t always look like hustle. Sometimes it’s just staying the course with a box of tissues and a napping dog at your feet.

HEALTH HABIT/HACK:

This might be a no-brainer but today I want to encourage you to listen to your body. Your body’s a genius—if you just shut up and listen. Feeling wiped out? Rest. No, I’m not telling you to become a couch potato—just stop pretending pain is a personality trait. And all the "should've/could've/would've stress? Well, the keyword in that sentence is stress. The “rise and grind” era is dead. I’m not anti‑hustle—I’m anti‑you-nursing-a-stress-fracture. So today, I challenge you to stop "should-ing" on yourself, honor your body and rest. Just not everyday. Deal?

MAD DOG MOMENTS:

And my dog? She's been training for that nap marathon her whole life. But thankfully that ship sailed with the cooties, last week. Now she's back to staging daily protests at being left home alone. Outside! The indignity of napping in the sun on five  acres. You can't see it, but trust me: my eye roll is varsity level. It's a good thing she's cute. Her attitude would give any toddler tantrum a run for its money.

ON THE WIP:

The manuscript is getting real. Like, full-rough-draft-on-the-horizon real. And with that milestone, a new emotion has entered the chat: panic.

Not about the story itself (okay, maybe a little), but about all the next steps—alpha and beta teams, cover designs, character art, social interest, and oh yeah, actual readers.

It’s a weird mix of excitement and total overwhelm. But I’ve done hard things before (chemo, reconstruction, motherhood, marketing), and I’ll survive this too.

Real Talk:

There's a saying I hear a lot in the indie author world: Done is better than perfect. I get it. We can't edit what doesn't exist. BUT...my takeaway for this week...

Rest isn’t failure. Momentum isn’t a straight line. And marketing panic is just a sign I care about my work.

Whether you’re building a gym habit, writing a book, or just trying to remember what day it is—showing up (even imperfectly) is enough.

Plot Twist #57

Did I catch a spring cold from the gym? It’s entirely possible. I sanitize like a boss. I wash my hands like a surgeon. And yet—here we are. Germs: 1. Me: 0.

Do you ever obsess over where the germs came from? I do. I know it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change the outcome. But still—my brain needs someone to blame. Weird quirk? Definitely. Productive? Not even a little. Moving on…

Now tell me—got a favorite immune-boosting hack?

Hit reply—I’d love to hear it.

Below, peep a few stock  photos sparking the vibe for my fictional lake town—where my characters live, love, stress out, and maybe heal a little too.

Until next time—

Wishing you happiness, good health, and good books,

Carol