Hello, everyone! Since we’re slowly but surely moving past The Band launch and inching ever closer to The Empty Room release in October, I wanted to give you some updates. On the other hand, I’m not even done with the first draft yet (roughly 60% there!), so this will serve as some accountability, too.

So here’s what each update will entail, and these will continue until the first draft is done. And maybe even after! First, a word count update. Second, a projected/fluid release date. And third, a brief summary of what’s happening with the book.

Don’t worry. No spoilers! Just some good, old-fashioned teasers, and a behind-the-scenes look at this chaotic, often-confusing, sometimes-rewarding writing style.

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April 16

#1: This week, I added 4,000 new words and rewrote a couple thousand, as well. This week included a 3rd person POV chapter, a Nate chapter, and a Cliff. For some reason, I tend to write the two male characters together, and then Kaia/Naomi together.

#2: Projected release date– October 3, 2025

#3: This week’s writing was a little bit heartbreaking. I went with part of the Dune: Part Two soundtrack for background music, and I got to write another “entering the house on the hill” scene. I’m a bit worried these scenes are repetitive. Like how many ways can someone slowly reach for a doorknob? But either way, we’re going full-speed ahead.

Umm, what’s an interesting little bit to end on? Well, for one, I’ve already written the first half of this book, and I can say there’s a lot more going on than the first half of the previous two novels. In the first ten-or-so chapters, we’ve got: a death, a kidnapping, a BIG romance moment, and much more.

Got any specific questions? Comment on this post or on my social media and I might answer. Or I might avoid the question. But I’ll definitely respond!

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And if you can’t wait until then, check out The Band, my newest novel, a standalone story set in West Virginia about a touring cover band. It’s got murder, mystery, rock-n-roll, romance… what more could you need?