Finally turned in Book 5 of my series to my publisher & it feels good. I went through this manuscript line by line, carefully catching every little thing I could. There’s something so satisfying about hitting send and knowing I did the work. Now come revisions. Hopefully not too many. #AuthorSky

Being an author means my brain never really has an off switch. When I’m not working full-time or editing freelance videos, I’m revising book 5, drafting a standalone or reviewing audiobook corrections for book 2. Somewhere in there, I should probably remember to breathe. #AuthorSky #LifeSky

Everything clicked with my new standalone, so I started drafting it yesterday and already wrote 750 words. Credit goes to my 11-year-old daughter, an advanced avid reader who read Harry Potter at 6. She came up with the high-concept techno-thriller idea, & it all came together so fast. #AuthorSky

One thing I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older: there’s a difference between being direct & being straight-up rude & nasty. I’ve also learned that maybe things won’t change. But you won’t know unless you speak up & say something. Silence rarely changes anything. Speak up. #AuthorSky #LifeSky

I love the writing side of being an author. The business side can be brutal. Even with 15 years of marketing experience. It’s exhausting. This week, I came closer to giving up than I ever have. An author friend reminded me not to. Sometimes you need people like that in your corner. #AuthorSky

I wrote The Serpent’s Bridge about undocumented immigrants targeted by a serial killer cause they’re vulnerable. One reviewer called it “woke.” Another turned the review into criticism of immigrants. What’s so wrong with empathy? I’m not apologizing for writing a woke book. #AuthorSky #BookSky

I’ve read lots of Harlan Coben’s books, but Home is the first one I’ve read in his Myron Bolitar series… and it’s Book 11. 😅 I’ve had readers do the same thing with my Serpent Series. Do you ever jump into a series out of order, or do you always start with Book 1? #BookSky #AuthorSky

Writing “rules” are guidelines, not absolutes. Yes, unnecessary filler words should usually be cut. But sometimes removing one changes the meaning, rhythm, or emotion of a sentence. Learn the rules first. Then break them with intention. Great writing is all about execution. #AuthorSky

Editing while hungry doesn’t mix. I asked my daughter to make me peanut butter toast and tried to say, “I like my peanut butter with cheese.” What actually came out was, “I like my peanut butter with a semicolon.” I think that’s my cue to eat before editing again. 😅 #AuthorSky #AmEditing

In a digital world, it’s sad to see print slowly disappear. #Newspapers and magazines once came to life on presses like this one inside the old Fresno Bee building. Now it’s being demolished, with its final pages still frozen mid-run. #AuthorSky #Journalism

150 publishers rejected The Serpent’s Bridge & The Serpent Woman on sub with my former agent. They were supposed to die there. Instead, they landed in my contracted Serpent Series & hit #1 in Amazon’s Free Store. Sometimes the story they passed becomes the one that proves them wrong. #AuthorSky

We traded liberal L.A. for conservative Central California where churches are on every corner because homeownership was finally possible. I didn’t expect one of my favorite sights to be this: “God’s doors are open to all.” That’s a message I think the world could use a little more of. #LifeSky

Never thought I’d say this, but I prefer Kindle books. People act like reading a physical book is somehow the “real” reading experience. I disagree. The words & story are the same. If a book makes me laugh, cry, scares me, or keeps me up, I don’t care what format it’s in. #AuthorSky #BookSky

What I’ve learned since becoming an author under contract: As a writer, I could write at my own pace. As an author, the deadline sets the pace. When you’re writing a series, the work never really stops. It’s incredibly rewarding, but it also asks for sacrifices most people never see. #AuthorSky

One thing I’ve realized lately… I don’t lack work ethic. I work full time, freelance, & write books. There’s always more work. Working hard is easy. Avoiding burnout is the hard part. You can’t pour your best ideas onto the page if you’ve emptied yourself everywhere else. #AuthorSky #HealthSky

Funny how a character can accidentally age 2 years between chapters or their name suddenly decide it has a different spelling. That’s why revisions matter. Reading & rereading your manuscript may be tedious, but it’s the only way to catch the little details that quietly slip through. #AuthorSky

Started editing my book and realized I needed a break. So tonight, I’m trading revisions for a game night with my kids. The manuscript will still be there tomorrow. Sometimes the best thing for creativity is to unplug, be present, and refill the well. #AuthorSky #FamilySky

To all the amazing dads who read the bedtime stories, made the library runs, bought the books & encouraged a love of reading. My daughter read Harry Potter at 5 & is reading Gone with the Wind at 11. #HappyFathersDay to the dads who helped spark a lifelong love of reading. ❤️📚 #BookSky #AuthorSky

One thing that keeps me grounded is nature. 🌿 We planted two red tip photinia trees in our backyard, and they transformed the space. When so much of life is spent on screens, it’s nice to step outside, recharge, and remember that some of the best inspiration grows quietly. #AuthorSky #NatureSky

Yesterday I swam 100 laps in our pool & felt so much better afterward. Cut out wine. 70 days sober, lost 18 pounds, & excited that my wedding ring fits again. Between revising Book 5 + juggling work, I’m learning that small, healthier choices really do add up over time. #AuthorSky #HealthSky

When the pool is already 86° and we haven’t even hit the peak heat of summer yet, you know it’s going to be a hot one. 🥵 My goals this summer: stay cool, get my book edits done, and try not to melt into a puddle somewhere between Chapter 1 and “The End.” #AuthorSky #SummerBreak

Apparently “Liane Moriarty” has been emailing me repeatedly. Spoiler: it’s not actually her, just a loser scammer pretending to be a famous author. Blocked & created a filter to auto delete their email. Indie authors have enough shit to deal with. Leave us alone & get a real hobby. #AuthorSky

Drove past a place called Club Skin Gym today and for a solid second I thought it was a nudist fitness center. Turns out it’s skincare. Although “Club Skin Gym” still sounds like something I probably shouldn’t Google at work. #RandomThoughts

Trying to edit a manuscript with the kids home for summer is an adventure. But today my son, who just turned 5, swam without his floaties for the first time. I’m so proud of him! Building a pool in the backyard was one of the best investments we ever made. ☀️ #AuthorSky #ParentSky

Work is busy. The kids are officially out of school. The to-do list keeps growing. And somewhere in the middle of all that, I still need to revise a novel. Being a writer isn’t always about finding inspiration. Sometimes it’s about finding 20 quiet minutes & refusing to give them away. #AuthorSky

One of the coolest parts of being an author: meeting a random reader in person. 😊 Started chatting with someone at the mall, he bought my book & later sent me a photo of it. Just a genuine connection between an author & a new reader. Organic reach is still my favorite kind. 🖤 #AuthorSky #BookSky

Proud mom moment. My daughter is one of the smallest girls on her soccer team, yet she finished the season with the most goals scored—5 total. Just because you’re small doesn’t mean you can’t do great things. Heart, determination, and hard work matter far more than size. ⚽❤️ #ParentSky

My son turns 5 today & already has overcome some health scares. He was born premature & spent 2 weeks in the NICU. At 15 months, he developed streptococcus pneumoniae, became septic & underwent life-saving emergency surgery. He’s healthy today & we couldn’t be prouder. Happy Birthday!💙 #ParentSky

I feel so dumb 😂 When The Serpent’s Bridge hit #1 during free promo, I didn’t even know where to find the public Amazon category pages to screenshot it. Another crime thriller author sent me this from a reader group. By then it had dropped to #3, but it really did hit #1. #AuthorSky

Spent the day in Yosemite yesterday and honestly needed it after finishing my manuscript and dealing with computer issues. Sometimes you get so caught up in work and life that you forget how good it feels to slow down, breathe fresh air, and just be in nature for a while. 🌲 #AuthorSky #NatureSky