What's Next...?

Bit of a long time, no blog, I know and I'm sorry. I've had a lot going on this last couple of months and not all of it has been as I expected.

This blog has very much been about my writing journey - I started it way back after New Voices, when the elusive Call was still a dream, and reading back through it I can really see the ups and downs of my writing career. (I seem to have been particularly moany and vocal about the 'downs' - apologies!). Even post publication there are bumps in the road - books that are teeth-pulling to write or horror reviews. And then there are the big and unexpected setbacks.

A couple of months ago I got the news that Harlequin KISS/ModernTempted, the line I've been writing for since I was signed (although it's had a few name changes and relaunches in that time) is being discontinued from early next year. My initial reaction was to feel really sad. I absolutely loved the KISS stories and I felt like I fitted in there so well. I had tons of fun writing them, despite the head-crashing-on-desk moments. I was working alongside some of my own favourite authors. It really was a dream. And then suddenly it was over with. Since I'd literally just handed in the last book on my current contract, it really did end just there for me. I was able to look at other options within Harlequin, but having checked out all the choices available to me it became clear pretty quickly that my voice really doesn't fit any of the other series lines at Harlequin right now.

The news about KISS came at a time when I had a lot going on at home too, and it's made me realise that perhaps it's time to reassess my priorities. I'd spent the last six months really pushing myself to get two books done for Harlequin (as well as writing my HarperImpulse Christmas novella, Kiss Me...), at the expense of other areas of my life.

I still have a contract with HarperImpulse for two more novellas to complete my Do Not Disturb series, and I subbed the first of them a few weeks ago. And so now I'm going to take a proper break for the summer (with the exception of taking part in HI's Written Fireside short story competition, which doesn't really count because it's so much fun!). I'm going to do mum stuff for a change without thinking about deadlines and I'm going to turn my neglected hovel back into a house. And then I will make a decision about what I want to do next. That could be a single title - I always dreamed of writing one, and maybe it would have been an easy dream to put off indefinitely with that comforting rolling Harlequin contract.

Maybe this will turn out to be less of a bump in the road than it felt at first. What I can say is that I've learned tons, had amazing fun, got a book in print with a dedication for each of my gorgeous family members and I got to work with some wonderful authors. Who knows what will come next? I will keep you posted. In the meantime, click here for details of how to take part in Written Fireside with me!