Y’all, I have a confession to make. I’ve written a second book. I’m currently halfway through writing a third and have a fourth outlined and ready to start working on as soon as I wrap up the third and send it for edits.

So, why haven’t I published that completed second book?

*Sigh*

I started hating my characters. I started hating the plot. I hated everything about it so much that I told my editor that I didn’t like it as I put the manuscript in her digital hands. I promise…one day, you’ll get to read it because I really do want to share the story. But now is not the time.

This brings me to my next challenge—balancing work and passion projects.

Since publishing my first book, my life has been anything but predictable. I went from being a freelancer with complete control over my schedule and how much time I wanted to commit to books to being an employee working 40+ hours a week for a marketing firm that was…how should I put it? Controlling? Stuck in their ways? Antiquated?

I was told I had to wear business attire every day. There were no lunch breaks. I needed to be available after hours. All of which I was reasonably fine with at first. And then came the negative feedback that was anything but constructive.

My manager told me I was the worst writer they’d ever worked with (despite all of my articles and social media efforts performing well and getting awarded). I was constantly belittled and told I couldn’t travel even though I lived in an RV. They wanted so much from me all the time and it sent me into a deep depression. And during that period, I tried to wrap up book two.

I’ll be the first to admit that I wasn’t in a great place when trying to do that and, as a result, the quality of my work definitely suffered.

What’s Different?

The good news is that I now have a new job with a company that both encourages and requires work/life balance. I’m allowed to choose my schedule, take time off when I need to, and am encouraged to write.

Book three is coming along at a much faster rate. I’m hoping to have it out before June so I can kick book four into hyperdrive. Inspiration is much easier for me to come by these days and finding the motivation to put words to paper isn’t just an occasional thing anymore.

So, thanks for being patient with me these last few years while I figured some things out.

-Kit