Author: johannamel1

A new year, a new you, right? I can say yes…to some extent. I mean, we’ve all had to adapt and grow. Some of us have remained hidden from the outside world for months. As I’ve mentioned before, I was hit by the writing bug pretty hard in 2020. I needed that kick in the backside. Honestly, if not for that forced shutdown, I would never have finished the three books I did in 2020.

So what do I now? Well, Uncovering Austin is finally out in the world. I happily published that book. Talk about labor intensive! Austin’s story has been in the works for a good seven years. Originally, the story was going to be around 20,000 words. After multiple rewrites, edits and revisions, the book ended up at just under 55,000. Austin’s personality went on an amazing journey. He mellowed, became a bit more likable, and he finally allowed me to lead him to his happy ever after.

Now that Austin is settled, I will work on the dozen (or so!) manuscripts I started. This year, my sincere hope is to finish a women’s fiction novel and an inspirational romance. By finish, I mean full revisions, synopsis and query letter. Then, it’s agent hunting. I know many people have great success self-publishing. I hope to have a fraction of that success. However, my dream from long, long ago was to sign with an agent and until I have been told 100% I suck and no agent will ever sign me, I’m not giving up on that particular dream.

Live well, my friends, and dream on!

The past several months have been weird, trying, scary, disheartening, and a multitude of other emotions. Friends have lost their jobs, businesses have closed down. People have gotten very sick, some died.

Depression has hit many of us–I’ve begun to notice the signs in myself. How could you not become depressed in a world of the unknown? All across the world people were put into lock down, and at the same time, people scoffed and fought against being told what to do.

While my day job did not close–we’re an essential business–we were told to work from home for many weeks. We are finally back to work at 50% capacity, alternating weeks in the office and working remotely. Every day I, and my coworkers, wait(ed) for an announcement of layoffs/furloughs. As of right now, we are told there are no plans for layoffs.

Over and over, author friends have stated the creative juices have all but dried up. Still others have been on creative overload. Personally, I have been very productive on the writing front. This outlet has helped me remain sane, helped me vent frustrations and hurts I can’t to those around me. During this quarantine, I have finished two manuscripts. Now I am in the process of researching agents to query. I have been cautioned that the industry is tough right now so don’t get the hopes to high. Right now? Like the industry hasn’t been tough to break in to for the past several years? However, I am optimistic. My initial list of agents is 20. If none of those 20 want me, I’ll try another 20. And until I find an agent I’ll keep writing.

I pray each and everyone of you stays safe and healthy. God bless!

My friend CR Moss has a new release. To Be Yours is the first book in the Gateway Ranch series.

CR, what would you like to tell readers about yourself?

* An eccentric and eclectic writer, C.R. Moss pens stories for the mainstream and erotic romance markets, giving readers a choice of sweet, savory or spicy reads, usually within a sub-genre or two — paranormal, sci-fi/fantasy, time travel, or western flare. She also has a passion for penning dark fiction. Writing as Casey Moss, she delves into the darker aspects of life in her work, sometimes basing the stories on reality, sometimes on myth. No matter the path, her stories will take you on a journey from the lighthearted paranormal to dark things unspeakable. What waits around the corner? Come explore…

Find C.R. Moss here… Amazon Author Page | Blog/Website | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube: Book Trailer | More Gateway Ranch books

2020 is a new me, and a new venture for my writing career. I am happy to share the adventure with all of you.