Its been awhile again since I wrote on my blog. I need to get better at this. I guess it is because I haven't had much news in the last few months. Sales have stopped, but it isn't such a bad thing when my trilogy will be coming out. I have sent my trilogy off to the editor. There are a lot of major changes coming to the story. Book 1 has been almost revamped; so I guess it isn't such a bad thing sales are not doing well. The trilogy adds more characters and higher stakes. The best part of writing a trilogy was seeing the dynamics between everyone and if they'd be able to fit together. Of course, everyone has a different personality and the way they think things should be; which can cause it's own problems.
With the trilogy coming out, some changes will also be made to the website; hopefully to make it spark a little more. I think with my first book, I felt like I was an amateur; that maybe this wasn't for me. I had struggled with the idea to continue writing, but there was so much to explore with the universe I want to create within the pages of Behind the Mirage that I have created other book ideas to tie into my trilogy down the road. I hope you come along with me.

I took a break from my blog for a few months, trying to figure out if it is worth still continuing my journey.  The answer is yes. I took a step back from social media. The constant hurt of not pushing out any new material while other authors push out 2-3 books a month really got to my head, so I took a break. It is important to take a break, sometimes to even reevaluate if the stress is worth it. I need to realize that everyone goes at their own pace, and not to be discouraged. I have many stories still left in me and I do not want stop telling them. I am anxious to get my trilogy back from my editor so I can start the process of getting it out into the world. I push my characters farther then they have ever gone and they come out stronger-especially my MC Lex. She has changed so much over the years, and it has been a fun ride. I am making decisions to develop stories for other characters in Lex's world. While I wait to hear from my editor, I am working on other projects. I hope to write for as long as ideas keep flowing. 

Its been a few months since I wrote on my blog. I've been extremely busy writing the 2nd and 3rd book in my debut trilogy and moved on to revising the first book. I am happy to announce that my trilogy is almost finished-like a few days finished. Its a little surreal that my story is coming to an end. I have been working on this project for so long, and my MC Lex has been a part of me that it feels like my child is about to go out into the world on her own. I have decided there are characters who have their own stories that I would love to expand on, but Lex's story is over. I'm reading the last few pages before I send it into the editor and I cannot help but choke up. Lex has been by my side through so many facets of my life. Through loses and finds, through ups and downs. Its funny how a character that you have developed and nurtured for years into the person you dreamed of can actually become a part of your life like a friend. I am excited to finally finish her story, but I am also saddened by it. I hope when my trilogy is finally ready to be brought into the world, people will fall in love with her and all the others as much as I have.

Last time I posted on my book blog, I was in the process of revising the second book in my series and writing the third.  Well, I am here to say that I am close to finishing the third book.  I will admit, I have had more trouble writing the third because the plot was still foreign to me.  The last book in a series is meant to bring to a close the others that have come before.  I struggled a lot with this because I didn't now how I was going to end it.  I went through writers block for a very long time, pushing myself when it wouldn't come.  I started out writing different scenes I wanted to put in the book, and I found I was able to cure a little bit of my writers block.  I have also been struggling with how long it should be.  I have always said to others that ask similar questions, to finish the story when you belief there is nothing left to write.  I do not think there is any right or wrong answer to this question because it is different for everybody.  I also know, that when it is finally sent to the editor, there will be things I can do to expand it.  I am also revising the first; putting things that are in the second and third to make it flow better.  I am excited for this chance, because there are a few things I would like to change.  I knew I was in for the long haul with this, and I do have to say that I find myself exhausted.  I keep pushing because I love telling stories and hopefully one day I can turn it into a career,   

It is hard to believe the middle of the year is already here.  Behind the Mirage as been out for a couple months and its doing ok.  Sometimes I have to remind myself that I am new at this.  I get stressed when sales are slow, or social media isn't working as well as I hoped it would.  I have to realize that I am not the only one on this ship.  I have down some author interviews which turned out wonderful.  You can read one here: authorauntienann.com/2021/06/16/katherine-ann-melton/

Since I am writing a trilogy, I hope all three books will get traction.  Its not a sprint, its a marathon.  I believe I am sprinting through because I have to write a whole book in only a couple months; definitely feeling the pressure.  I've also decided to participate in a book fair/festival.  I need to get myself out there,  I have my list ready of what I need: books-of course-business cards, bookmarks, pens, and other goodies, how to present and to just remember to have a good time.  I am excited and nervous.  I really help it goes well because I would like to get Behind the Mirage more coverage and I would like to participate in more book festivals (maybe even overseas one day).     

These last few weeks have been a little crazy.  Last time I posted, I was in the process of revising the second book in the Behind the Mirage series (the series name will be added later).  So, the second book is finally revised!!  I have not sent it over to my editor yet because I am having a beta reader go over it one last time before I send it.  I have also began writing the third book!  I struggled so much at first with the third.  I wasn't sure why I was having so many problems, maybe because I was overthinking the process.  The way I write, is probably not the most typical.  I write scenes; sometimes random and never in order.  I write scenes for the middle, the beginning and the end.  Not necessarily in that order.  For some reason this seems to work.  I am able to find my way to the finish line.  I think what I was doing wrong, was going against what I was working.  I began to write from beginning to end, spending most of the time staring at a page, and not knowing where to go.  How did I over come this? I took a notebook, went to a winery with my closest friend, and we started to brainstorm.  The 'Brain Juice' (thank you Shannon Brown) put me back on track and I found my way once again.  I highly recommend if you get stuck or get writers block, take a notebook, go to a winery or wherever you feel the juices flowing, and brainstorm.   

Behind the Mirage is finally out in the world.  It is a wonderful feeling that all my hard work has been introduced to the world.  For all those who have read my book, I thank you for all the support you have given me.  Some questions I have received is what is next?  Behind the Mirage is the first book in my debut series.  For the last year I have also been working on the second book in the series, and the third.  After speaking to my editor, we have come to the decision to publish the second and third book together, and ultimately revise the first book.  This is a huge project that I am ready to face full on; and a year to do it in.  I want to bring my readers into the world of Lex without skipping a beat.   I have made the decision to release all three books within a few weeks of each other, then bring them together as a box set.  I think this is the best way to give my readers, and future readers an exciting look into my world.  I have found promoting my book can be challenging, especially for a new author.  It is a lot of work when you are not well known, and hopefully one day I can be an author that is internationally recognized.  I need to stay positive and keep working hard.   

It is finally here!!  My debut novel was published and it is now available.  I cannot express what a wonderful feeling it is to say that.  It has been over twenty years; which I know I have on multiple a=occasions, but I am super excited.  This book has my blood, sweat and tears in it.  I remember so many times I have wanted to quit; and honestly I almost did.  I was frustrated with editing and even writing the book.  I'm not going to lie, writing a book takes dedication.  The next thing in the que is to promote the book.  Since I do not have a large following, it makes it a little difficult to get people to read my book.  My family and friends have been a great asset by telling people they know, and sharing my social media posts on their own pages.  My production team has created a few social media posts for me and I have a close friend who has done the same.  I dedicated a lot of time developing this book, now it is time to continue introducing it to the world.  I would say my fellow new writers, be ready to go through all the emotions; but, continue the journey.  Be prepared to feel hopelessness, frustrations and doubts, but don't let it drag you down.  

It's hard to believe it has been over twenty years since I started my journey to write my first novel.  Nights of frustrations, months of writer's block and multiple thoughts of doubt played like reruns through the years.  I never thought I would finally become a published author.  February 22, 2021 my debut novel Behind the Mirage will be introduced into the world.  The journey has been long and trying; but it has been worth it.  My debut novel is part of a series, and I cannot wait to bring my world into people's lives.  This has been my dream for so many years.  There are so many wonderful authors in this world, and I hope to be one of them.  My first novel is not the only story I have stashed away, I have a few others and hope one day to bring those to life.  I hope you enjoy my debut novel, and hope you follow me on its journey.    

I remember many years ago when I first starting writing Lex — well, creating her. As I explained in my first newsletter, she has been through many changes. She was a vampire at one point in her life. She’s been a fairy, a soldier, and a shapeshifter. Her name has changed a few times. More than a few things went into my decisions about creating Lex.  I knew I wanted a strong female lead, someone who can hold her own and not have to rely on others to get things done.
Lex feels deeply, she loves deeply, and she can react at a moment’s notice. Some people who know me well have mentioned they see a little of me in her. That might be true. But when writing, I try to separate myself from my characters. I find sometimes it is hard to do, because I want Lex to feel a certain emotion that might not be natural for me. One way of expressing that emotion is to put yourself in that situation. That is probably how Lex became a person who resembles me, in some ways.
I jumped around with ideas of how I wanted to write her. I have read books from first person point of view as well as third person. I chose to write Lex in first person because again, I wanted to give her the emotions that show why she feels the way she does about   people, events, and history. I want readers to get into her head so they can help her navigate her decisions. Showing this can sometimes be complicated. She doesn’t like to rock the boat, but she has no hesitation to do things on her own. She’s stubborn.  I sometimes wonder, if I ever had a conversation with Lex, what would she ask me? What would she want me to tell about her? I think the first thing she would ask me is why I ruined her life. Now to be fair, I didn’t ruin her life. I just made it more interesting. I wanted to throw something at her that would force her to take action to affect her life altering decisions.
Life is never meant to be easy; for Lex, something like having a whole other life she knew nothing about can be pretty traumatizing. Especially the way it happened to her.  The second book goes into more detail.  Someone who becomes close to her in the future alters her life by the consumption of unimaginable pain and rage.  I knew I didn’t want her life to be easy.  I wanted her to learn the truth in a way that would change her mind about trust in everyone around her. 
I didn’t want to create a damsel in distress, the one who constantly needs saving. Although she does find herself in some pretty nasty situations that require help from others, she can swim on her own. Her life is pulled in so many directions that she loses her way a little. Like in every good adventure, the books present obstacles that she needs to get through to keep herself on track.
I will be upfront in saying there were times I would get frustrated with Lex. I wanted her to focus, and she would get distracted  — another personality trait I’ve been known to possess that I must have accidently slipped in there.
While I been working on other projects, I have found myself thinking about Lex. She has become a big part of my life as the main character of my debut novel. I have also thought about her for more than twenty years, so it’s become a habit.  I have spent those years tweaking her in every which way to finally turn her into someone I can be proud of, someone whose team I’d want to be on if the end of the world happens.  Lex will definitely take a lot of turns in her life; Behind the Mirage is only her first adventure. I have more ideas that keep coming to me every day. She will be tested in many more ways; disgrace, redemption, failure.  She will need to find her strength and learn to trust those around her. I cannot wait to explore more with her and take you on the journey with us.