Mind Work

Ruthless Writers Publishing

After Grad school, I was burnt out, and writing was a chore. When I was running a few writing groups, I was in constant search of writing prompts. I was disappointed to find many lacked spunk. So, I started writing my own. Then, I added coloring pages that went along the prompts to serve as inspiration. That was the beginning of Ruthless Writers.

Writing Projects

Writing, writing, just keep writing. That is the actual soundtrack in my mind on a daily basis.

I am currently working on the last book of my Awakener series. It has been a long time coming, with grad school in the middle of this process, but I am hoping to have the first draft done this July. Then, a quick turnaround of drafts two and three, and then off to the editor.

I also have an outlined romance fantasy with about five chapters written, and I am ready to go as soon as I finish Redeemed.

The romance fantasy is new energy. The Awakener series has been such a long time coming, I am happy to be done with it.

For all my Mayham Manager fans, I will finish the book this year as well and focus on that series for the following year. I hope to publish the next three books by 2027.

Let's Talk Writing Awards

If you have read my bio, you know that writing wasn’t something I considered seriously when I was younger, but storytelling has always been an integral part of my life. I’ve always shared that aspect of myself with my kids, so I wasn’t surprised when my oldest son expressed an interest in writing as well. He had a knack for punchy, quick one-liners, and I thought he would excel in marketing.

During his college years as a creative writing major, I wasn’t surprised when he quietly walked outside while I was working in my garden one day to tell me that he had just received an email about a poetry contest he had entered. Poetry? He was one of the top three finalists and was receiving an award! I threw down my gardening gloves and rushed over to him, wrapping my arms around him, and exclaimed, “You little shite! I knew you would be a better writer than I am.” This was his first time submitting his work, and it would be published in a national magazine. What a fantastic day it is when your kids can outshine you—lucky little shit!

He did a reading of his poem the week before he was set to find out what placement he would receive at the banquet dinner. One by one, they announced the categories. When they called out third place, it wasn’t him, and I squeezed his hand. Then they announced second place—it still wasn’t him. We were both buzzing in our seats. Finally, they announced first place, and it was my son! I couldn’t have been more excited for him. Not only did he win first place and a publication in a national magazine, but he also earned $500. I really hope this doesn’t give him the impression that publishing is easy; he is truly blessed to have this moment.