And I’m still not fried somehow. It’s been a little over 10 days, and I’ve averaged 2,200 words a day, but I’ve only written for four of those days. I got burned out after the first 11,000 in two days, but I’m back at it.

Why, you ask?

There are two books coming out this year, of course. A World Forsaken is due out by the end of September, and Circle of Sorcerers needs to go to editing by August 21st. It’s mid-July now, that’s why!

Why finish so late, you ask?

There was a lull between book 3 and work on these two titles. Frankly, I got depressed. Real depressed. Sales were declining, a string of terrible reviews were cast, and I lost hope and confidence in my ability. Is this what I’m supposed to be doing? I asked myself on a daily basis. Well, the answer I came up with is simple.

No one is perfect, and very few will write a best-seller when they first get started. Even if you write a great book, there are plenty of people who won’t like it. Forge ahead, find the audience, and speak to their hearts. It’s all you can do.

I’ve never been the egotistical type of writer; I have passion and dedication to what I do, but I don’t think of myself as the best thing since sliced bread. I’m a writer – I write stories, and people either love them or hate them.

I’ve already enjoyed a great deal of success with my stories, so I take that as a sign that somebody somewhere is enjoying them. Although readers don’t often share their feelings in reviews, and no matter how much I wish they would when they enjoyed the books, I get encouragement from those who take time to write to me on here, on Facebook, or through email and tell me about it. So, to the fans, I respectfully say, “Thank you!”

In closing, I’ll summarize: we’re on schedule.