This is the first time in my author journey that I’ve had to deal with end of year burnout. The treads on my tyres are faded. My engine hit diesel runaway and burnt itself down to the metal. I’ve got nothing.

At the end of 2023, I was just getting started on my first novel. I was full of life. The words were flowing, I was determined to finish the novel asap, and I didn’t even know what burnout was.

But at the start of 2024, I started running into issues. Issues with the community and friends I had around me at the time, my publishing plans/order changed, I ended up deciding to publish a novel this year, and though it was rewarding and I’m proud of my book, the release journey was soul crushing.

I kept writing through all of it - or at least, I tried to keep writing. In November, after Until I Have Healed You finally hit the market, I felt like I might never be able to write again, I was so exhausted.

In December, I tried to start writing again. But with trying to balance residual burnout from November, marketing my novel and trying not to be discouraged about my book’s reach, trying to participate in author/book events, reshuffling my community and author friends once again, designing and finalizing book covers for my five other books in the series, building a street team, starting edits on book three, starting plot development for books 5 and 6, and fighting to keep writing book 3, I’m hitting the wall so hard that I have become one with the wall.

I feel like a small, insignificant bug that’s been squashed by life and all its hardships this year. And I haven’t even mentioned anything that’s happened in my personal life.

It’s been a really hard year, guys.

I’m not very hopeful that my energy will return to me soon, but I know that eventually, I’ll return to my writing roots.

Event Alert: I’ll be participating in the Dark Mode SYK event on December 27th, where my book will be free on Kindle on Amazon. Tell a friend, and keep an eye on my Instagram for a chance to participate!

Holiday Wishes: This is gonna be my last newsletter for the year. I’m tired y’all, and I need a break from it all for a while. Happy Holidays! I hope you get the chance to rest and cozy up with a book.

Until we meet again, besties.