THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR HARD WORK. -TE

Stressed about all of my edits, this past week I decided to work (for actual money) partial days, half teaching, half writing. I’m so glad I did. Now that I’ve found Ezrah, I’m soaring through chapters, painting in the intricate details and I’m stoked it’s all coming together. I’ve set a goal to finish draft three by mid-August and if I keep going at this rate, I’m sure I’ll have no problem reaching it.

A question I get all the time is, how do I stay motivated? The answer is quite simple for me, though it may sound eccentric to you. I’ve created a world I love and characters I want to spend time with. To be honest? I prefer my world to reality. The way I see it is that my characters, Ezrah, Orban, Asher, and Incertus have important stories to tell. What kind of person would I be, if I gave up on them? By writing between classes, on weekends and on holidays, (Hubs is awesome, never complains), I give them the dedication they deserve. I get chills thinking about one day, being able to share them with you. I want you to adore them, root for them and make them part of your life.

I just finished The Queen of the Tearling Trilogy, recommended by my editors, and when I read the final page, I was devastated. Not about the ending, Johansen ended her trilogy beautifully. I mourned the loss of no longer being in the Tearling and spending time with Kelsea and Mace, Father Tyler and Hellcat and Barty. I want my readers to feel the same way when they finish The StellaVerum Saga. I wish a truly hellish book hangover for all my readers (cue evil laugh). For what is pleasure, without pain?

How do y’all stay motivated?

Until next time,

Happy writing!

-RF