Samantha Mullins's Blog

So here we are. Final editing stages of Under Darkness. I’ve sent out early review copies, feeling all proud and productive and now I’m absolutely mortified.

Why? Oh, just because I managed to send out a copy that had an ENTIRE chapter repeated. Twice. Yes, a full on déjà vu experience. A whole chunk of story that decided to show up, then show up again, like an unwanted party guest who just won’t take the hint.

Naturally, I thought I’d fixed it. Thought I had everything all clean and shiny and ready to go. I got my manuscript uploaded into Reedsy to make it all pretty in PDF and EPUB form, feeling very professional and legit. Hit send again.

Then then I decided to do one more read through, just casually flipping through, checking for those tricky “show vs. tell vs. OH MY GOD WHY IS THIS BEING TOLD TWICE” moments.

Guess what I found?

Yup. That same cursed section of the repeated chapter had snuck in AGAIN.

So now I’ve emailed these poor early readers multiple times, begging them to trash the previous files and replace them with the real one (the “please let this be the final final final version” one). I’m pretty sure at this point they think I don’t have my shit together. Which is… fair. Honestly, I might be spamming myself at this point.

I’m so embarrassed I could just melt into the floor and become a plot hole.

BUT! Silver lining: I redid the paperback cover for Heaven’s Keys so it’s no longer rocking the Amazon Basic™ look. And Under Darkness has a shiny new cover too! It’s all getting ready to be published on July 31 assuming I don’t accidentally delete the whole thing in a fit of chaos.

So yeah. Just trying to stay semi sane in both the author world and, you know, the regular world which, let’s be honest, is a full blown tire fire right now. (That’s about as political as I’m getting here. You’re welcome.)

Sidenote: If you’re into Asian dramas K dramas, C dramas, J dramas, all the good stuff I highly recommend a Chinese drama called Fireworks of My Heart. It’s the kind of show that’ll have you enamored, annoyed, laughing, crying, and questioning your life choices. Basically, perfect.

Anyway. Thanks for coming to my meltdown. See you on release day unless I’ve turned into a feral goblin buried under edits. Either way, it’ll be entertaining. 💜

How many times can one woman send the wrong file? Stay tuned.

Hey everyone, quick update from the writing cave (which currently smells like sweet tea, deadlines, and questionable life choices). Under Darkness is still in editing mode, and yes—it’s taking longer than I thought, but that’s because I actually want it to be good. Revolutionary concept, I know.

I was originally aiming for a June release, but then life happened, and by life, I mean: obsessive rewriting, nitpicky feedback, and my undying commitment to not releasing a book that reads like it was edited by a sleep-deprived squirrel. So now we’re probably looking at a July or August release. That’s okay though. The book will be better for it, and honestly, so will my sanity.

Speaking of feedback, reviews are starting to roll in! Most are great (yay!), and then there was one reader who nearly combusted over “redundancy.” I would feel bad, but let’s be honest—they probably yell at cereal boxes for using the word “crunchy” twice. Still, I appreciate all feedback, even the kind that makes me want to scream into a pillow. Growth, right?

Meanwhile, Lightfall Rising is… also a thing that exists. I’m working on it. Slowly. Like a snail. A snail wearing ankle weights. A snail who got distracted by editing and then derailed into a full-blown rewatch of every comfort K-drama I’ve ever loved. Self-care? Procrastination? Who can say? (Me. It’s both.)

Also—Kingdom: Legendary War. Just finished it again and yes, I am now 100% sure that the male lead in my new series is going to look like San from ATEEZ. Because I am a grown adult and I make serious artistic decisions based solely on cheekbones and dance line intensity. #ProfessionalAuthorVibes

Anyway, that’s the update! If you’ve read Under Darkness, thank you. If you’ve left a review, thank you times ten. If you’re just here for the K-pop playlists, I see you. I respect you. Now go blast this week’s banger and pretend you’re the main character—because honestly? You are.

🎧 Writing + Vibes + Delusions of Grandeur Playlist

If Looks Could Kill – Guccihighwaters & Toopoor
Prayer – Yuri Park
Don’t Let Our Love Wither – Lu Runze
Middle – Fish Leong
Starburster – Fontaines D.C.
Cyberpunk – ATEEZ
Move – Taemin (because duh)
Kingdom Come – The Boyz
Truman – Han & Felix (Stray Kids)
Love Race – SF9
Railway – Bang Chan (Stray Kids)
Deer Hunter – &TEAM (Korean version, because taste)
ReawakeR – LiSA (because Solo Leveling owns my soul)
…and many more chaotic tracks because I have zero chill. Bwahaha.
That’s all for now. Stay hydrated, leave reviews, and if you see me online at 2AM tweeting about fictional men with emotional trauma and sword skills, no you didn’t.

Until next time, stay dramatic, stay caffeinated, and for the love of San, leave a review.

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Go to link to get full blog including videos.
Okay, I have some exciting news (finally)! The Under Darkness book trailer is officially up and running. Cue the dramatic music. You can check it out below and get your first peek at the dark and twisty world of Meagan, a soul-bender who’s just trying to survive the apocalypse one nightmare at a time. 😅

Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Okay, great. But when can I actually read this book?!”

Under Darkness – Coming June 2025 (Hopefully)
That’s right—Under Darkness will be hitting your e-readers in June 2025. Unless, of course, some major disaster happens between now and then—like, I don’t know, the internet breaking forever or an army of rogue demons crashing the release party. (I’m not ruling anything out at this point, honestly.) 🙃

But barring any apocalyptic events (please, fingers crossed), June 2025 is the goal. Keep your eyes peeled and your calendars marked, because this ride is going to be wild.

The Sales Situation (Or Why I’m Probably Talking to Myself Right Now)
Here’s where I get honest for a second: since the free promo, Under Darkness hasn’t exactly been flying off the virtual shelves. In fact, I haven’t seen a single sale. Not one. 😬 But—and this is the important part—I know someone is reading it. Why? Because I actually have a review! And it’s positive! 🎉

No, I didn’t write it myself. (Come on, I’m not that bad.) But I’ve got one real, legit review, and it’s a good one. So even though my sales page looks a little lonely right now, I’m holding onto hope. Some people are out there reading, and I’m just over here sending you all virtual hugs. 📚💖

What’s Next?
So what’s next? Well, as I finish up the final touches on Under Darkness and prepare for the June 2025 release (again, assuming the universe doesn’t implode), I’m planning to drop more sneak peeks, teasers, and updates. I’ll probably also write more posts like this where I make awkward jokes about the book, my characters, and life as a self-published author. Because honestly, what’s life without a little humor, right?

If you’ve already read Under Darkness, THANK YOU for your support. If you haven’t, don’t worry—it’ll be here soon enough. And in the meantime, if you just want to chat about books, life, or the weirdest places to find inspiration for writing, hit me up. Seriously. I’m always down for a good convo. 😎

Thanks again for all your support—whether you’ve bought the book or are just here to watch me stumble through the self-publishing journey. You guys are the best.

Here’s the current state of my writer brain:

Heavens Keys, Book One, is free on Amazon until Thursday. Yes, this is your invitation to go snag it while it’s still in the promo zone and pretend you discovered it before it was cool.
Under Darkness is complete, but it’s currently sitting in the metaphorical cooler—resting quietly so I don’t burn myself out on editing and end up taking a wrecking ball to everything that works. It’s not abandonment. It’s strategic retreat.
Meanwhile, Lightfall Rising—Book Three in the Heavens Keys series—is partly written. Right now, I’m editing the existing chapters to get back into the groove before diving back into full writing mode. I’ve also made some… adjustments. Subtle shifts. Things that may—or may not—echo forward in ways readers won’t notice until it’s too late. Just making sure everything lines up before I unleash chaos in an organized, narratively satisfying way.
And while I’m sitting here quietly editing—trying to be a focused little author goblin—my thoughts keep drifting back to Heavens Keys. The book that’s out there. Being read. By actual people.

And that’s when it hits me.
OMG. People are reading it.
What if they hate it?
What if someone finishes the book, sets their Kindle down gently, and just whispers, “Well. That happened.” Not angry. Not inspired. Just… emotionally beige.

Look, I get it. This is the dream. Publishing a book. Reaching readers beyond friends, family, and that one supportive raccoon who lives in my emotional garbage can. But the moment it actually happens? The brain decides to pull a full system error and scream into the void.

To really spice things up, I’ve got The King’s Avatar playing in the background for the umpteenth time, with Ylang Ylang smirking like he knows exactly how unhinged I’ve become. Meanwhile, I.N. from Stray Kids has taken up permanent residence in my mental periphery, doing his “Hallucination” belly dance with all the grace and none of the chill. ADHD is bouncing around like a loot goblin on a sugar high, and I’m just here pretending this is what focus looks like.

But here’s the thing.

If people are reading your book, and you’re freaking out about it? That means you’re in the game. You’re doing the scary, vulnerable, real part. And that panic? It’s just the brain’s weird way of marking a milestone.

So if you’re like me—refreshing your stats, side-eyeing your reviews, wondering if anyone noticed that one line you rewrote seventeen times—just know you’re not alone. This is the process. Messy, exciting, a little horrifying… and real.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go “edit” while my brain replays dramatic sword fights and emotionally confusing choreography on loop.

Keep writing. Keep spiraling. It’s part of the magic.

—Author, Slightly Panicked But Still Here

Breaking news:
Hoopla has finally released my book.
After weeks of silent treatment, emotional damage, and me nearly pulling a full Seonghwa “I’m not crying, you’re crying” breakdown on the library steps, my book is FREE. Unlisted. Gone from the claws of digital purgatory.

I originally hit “unlist” on April 1st—bold move, I know. Now it’s mid-April and I’m finally seeing light at the end of the content tunnel. This has been less of a publishing journey and more of a TXT concept album—twists, turns, betrayal, and the ghost of a plotline I thought I understood.

But now…
I am victorious.
My book is on Kindle Unlimited.
And I’m ready for readers to find it, fall into it, and maybe—just maybe—not scroll past it like it’s the Nugu of ebooks.

Let me tell you, the headache? Gone. The frustration? Still lightly simmering but at a safer emotional temperature. I’m no longer stuck waiting like V in a black-and-white montage scene, staring out a window with rain falling and a slow jazz sax playing in the background. No more pacing around like a K-pop trainee at elimination time.

Now I get to breathe.
Now, people with KU can actually read my book. For free. With their subscription.
Now, maybe the algorithm gods will smile upon me instead of just… smirking.

📚 My book is live on KU.
✅ Free to read with Kindle Unlimited
✅ Released from Hoopla’s villain arc
✅ Available now, no waiting, no weird library limbo

To everyone who stuck around while I blogged my way through a nervous breakdown disguised as a publishing update—thank you. You’re the real MVPs.
To Hoopla: I hope you learn to let go.
To KU readers: May your TBR piles be wild and your reviews gentle.

https://samanthamullinsfantasy.wordpr...

Today is the day! (Well, almost… it’s basically tomorrow in some time zones so I’m counting it, OK?)

Guess who just got the official message that her book has gone live on Amazon?! cue fan-girl screams, dramatic fainting, and at least three slow claps from fictional characters who totally support me.

It’s only been a little over twenty-four hours since the waiting began, but it may as well have been a decade. No lie. I’m pretty sure entire civilizations rose and fell in the time it took for that status to update. Especially since, in the meantime, my book got promoted on Awesomegang.com and featured in an author interview (go me!):
👉 Interview here
👉 More here

Of course, in the grand tradition of indie publishing chaos, the link to my Amazon page was totally broken because it was set to the Draft2Digital version. Sighs in author.

Speaking of Draft2Digital, I am still waiting for them to unlist my book so I can finally, finally throw it into Kindle Unlimited’s loving (and exclusive) arms. According to their message, it’ll take 7–14 business days to process, but emotionally? That translates to 7–14 days of existential hell. I’m now on Day Two of refreshing my email inbox like a caffeinated meerkat.

On the upside: Goodreads is updated ✔️, Amazon is live ✔️, and I remembered to breathe ✔️…
But you know what I forgot?
Only everything that makes a book look professional. Like the Title Page, the Acknowledgements, the Table of Contents—you know, the fun filler bits that make your ebook not look like it was published from a toaster.

Apparently, Draft2Digital had me covered with all that, but now that I’m manually uploading to Amazon? Yeah. Guess who spent the evening frantically fixing everything, muttering “D’OH!” every five minutes like a Homer Simpson soundboard. 🙋‍♀️

Good news: I resubmitted the file, so the actual finished version should be live within 72 hours. Until then, if you buy the book, you get… the cover and the novel. That’s it. No frills. Just vibes.

Will I be delisted from D2D by then?
Ha! Probably not. But hope springs eternal, and caffeine helps.

🎬 Author Purgatory Coping Mechanism: Bingeing K-Dramas
Because when you’re stuck in a publishing void, what else is there to do but emotionally invest in beautifully tortured fictional people with flawless skin?

I’ve been on an Asian drama binge (mostly Korean ones this time around), and I’ve got to say: some of them are absolute gold. The drama! The romantic tension! The plot twists that make you yell into your ramen!

And then… there’s Woori the Virgin.

Do not—I repeat, do not—watch Woori the Virgin. It’s the Korean adaptation of Jane the Virgin, and I had high hopes… which were promptly dashed, set on fire, and buried in a shallow grave of cringe.
Sorry, South Korea. Love you forever, but this one? Epic fail. Hard pass. Next!

😵‍💫 Questions No One Asked Me But I’m Answering Anyway
(Because I’m sleep-deprived, emotionally attached to fictional people, and legally obligated to promote myself. This is satire, folks—please don’t send concerned emails… unless you’re offering snacks.)

Q: How’s publishing going?
A: Well, I’m not saying I’ve completely lost it… but I’m also not not saying that. I’ve been negotiating with metadata and cover files like a hostage negotiator. We’re currently in round six. No one’s blinked.

Q: Wait, your book is actually live??
A: YES. On Amazon! 🎉 You can technically buy it right now—just maybe wait for the version with actual title pages and acknowledgments unless you enjoy the raw, minimalist aesthetic of “Oops, I hit publish too fast.”

Q: What genre is it?
A: Fantasy with feelings. And consequences. And at least one character who’s legally required to be morally gray and emotionally unavailable.

Q: Will this be a series?
A: Absolutely. Unless I die from caffeine overdose or spiral into a K-drama hole so deep I forget what plot structure is. But otherwise, yes! I have vague outlines and dramatic intentions.

Q: Where do you get your ideas?
A: Somewhere between emotional breakdowns, shower epiphanies, and that one notebook I lost in 2017 but still think about fondly.

Q: Should I read your book?
A: 1000% yes. Especially if you enjoy witty banter, magical messes, dramatic stares into the void, and that feeling of “Wait, did that just emotionally gut me?” followed by a cozy blanket of sarcasm.

Okay, that’s the update from this corner of publishing purgatory. I’ll be here, watching K-dramas, refreshing my email, and pretending I know what I’m doing. Maybe next blog I’ll include the character art slideshow. Or an excerpt. Or just me screaming into the void, but like, in a literary way.

💻📚🔥

(Pictures viewable in the link above)

(a.k.a. the book is fire, but the publishing journey is... a hot mess)

Once upon a time, I finished a book. A real one. With chapters, worldbuilding, brooding fae princes, and a demon king who absolutely refuses to shut up in my head.

I hit publish.

Cue the theme music. Cue the triumph. Cue the slow fade into—

Publishing purgatory.

You see, dear reader, publishing a book is not like launching a firework. It’s more like lighting the fuse, watching it fizzle, and then waiting while invisible gnomes (also known as digital distributors) argue over who gets to throw it in the sky.

🌀 Draft2Digital: “We’ve sent your book to 17 platforms you’ve never heard of, including 'OverLibraryNetCloudPrimePlus.' It will be removed... eventually.”

🔍 Amazon KDP: “Hmm, interesting... You want to publish this? Bold of you. We’ll let you know after we stare at it for 12 to 72 business hours.”

🧙‍♂️ Goodreads: “You may be the author, but can you prove you’re worthy of a series listing?”

Meanwhile, I’m sitting here with my freshly formatted manuscript, my battle-worn fantasy map, and enough digital covers to form a small Pinterest empire.

And here’s the spicy plot twist:
I originally published Heavens Keys: Book One through Draft2Digital — because wide distribution sounded romantic and mysterious at the time. But with zero cash flow, no ad budget, and only six sales (one of which may have been an accident), I had to face reality:

If I wanted traction, I had to go where the Kindle gremlins live.
So I made the call. Pulled the book. I'm relaunching with Amazon KDP, and as soon as all those library tentacles let go, Heavens Keys will rise again — this time, with a seat at the Kindle Unlimited table and a vengeance arc worthy of a demon overlord.

And now?
I wait.

Wait for delisting.
Wait for KDP to go live.
Wait for my characters to stop roasting me in my sleep.

But while I’m stuck in this deliciously hellish liminal space, here’s what Heavens Keys: Book One is bringing to your plate:

🔹 Fae courts with winter chill and way too much political tension
🔹 Prophecies no one understands but everyone wants to fight over
🔹 A heroine who's more than just "the chosen one" (but also, yeah, she totally is)
🔹 A demon overlord who absolutely needs therapy
🔹 Slow-burn romance so good it hurts (in all the best ways)

Heavens Keys is coming.
She’s got her hair up, her combat boots on, and her prophecy locked and loaded.

And when the book finally drops?

We feast.
Or at the very least, I cry into my coffee while watching KU page reads trickle in like crumbs from a celestial buffet.

Until then, I’ll be here.
Between Draft2Digital and the Demonic Realm.
Waiting.
Plotting.
Probably naming Book Five something unhinged like Heavens Keys: Who Let the Goblins In?

📚 Stay Connected (or risk being cursed by fae algorithms):
💜 Add Heavens Keys: Book One on Goodreads – help shelve it before the fae do

🗝️ Subscribe for updates, sneak peeks, and dark fae memes [Insert Your Newsletter Link]

📱 Follow me on [Instagram] / [TikTok] / [Wherever You Haunt] – I promise unhinged book energy and zero chill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQTlC...

(Spoiler: Apparently, I accidentally rebrand my entire series)
Welp. Here I am. On my grand editing sabbatical.
You know, the thing where you’re supposed to take a break from your own writing to breathe, recharge, not compulsively open your manuscript every four minutes?
Yeah. That’s going great.
In theory, this time was for rest.
In reality? I’ve devoured four full books, three novellas (Iron Fey series — shoutout to Julie Kagawa for owning my soul), and am now aggressively attached to Ethan from The Lost Prince, who is somehow both grump and cinnamon roll.
Like… do I hug him? Do I yell at him? Yes. The answer is yes.
But of course, while I’m not editing, my brain is like:
“You know what we should do instead of resting?
Redesign all the book covers. For the entire series. By hand. With AI. From scratch.”
…Sure. What could possibly go wrong?

Enter: Me vs. DALL-E
So here I am, on my sabbatical, spending quality time with my favorite emotionally unpredictable creative partner: DALL-E.
Let me tell you — we’ve been through it.
There were tears. There were battles. There were threats (some from me, surprisingly one from DALL-E).
But you know what?
I now have book covers for the entire Heavens Keys series.
ALL. FIVE. BOOKS. 😌
And honestly? They look pretty dang good.
It started with Lightfall Rising (Book 3). That cover was my Everest.
I wanted a magical twilight Aurora Borealis vibe — DALL-E kept giving me “Lord of the Rings meets Lisa Frank.”
Eventually, we made peace. There was light. There was fall. There was… rising.
And I was actually happy with it.

And Then It Spiraled
Because naturally, once you finish one pretty new cover, your past covers start looking at you like:
“…are we a joke to you?”
So then came Fateborne Arise (Book 4).
And then Obscured Embrace (Book 5).
And damn. I love them.
But that meant looking back at the OGs:
Heavens Keys and Under Darkness.
And while I still love them deeply, they kinda felt like they showed up to a royal ball wearing their Walmart best while the others were in custom moonlight couture.
So. You guessed it.
I went back in.
Redesigned the first two covers to match the tone and aesthetic of the series.
Do they match perfectly? Meh.
Do they vibe together now? Absolutely.
And most importantly — they don’t look cartoonish, childish, or like I let my Sims create them.

What’s New?I’m officially updating the cover for Heavens Keys (Book One) across all bookseller platforms — you should see the new one live within a week or two (depending on the publishing gods).
BUT I’m giving you a sneak peek today. 👀
You can find it right now on the Heavens Keys / Book page.
And while I’m at it, I’m also dropping the Under Darkness cover and a little teaser of what’s inside.
Spoiler: Things get shadowy.

In Summary:I went on an editing sabbatical.
Accidentally redesigned five book covers.
Argued with AI.
Made peace with fate.
Discovered I apparently like twilight reflections and glowing magical orbs a lot.
And now my back hurts, my shoulders are plotting revenge, and I’m going to go lie down with a heating pad and possibly cry into a pastry.
But hey — the covers are done. The vibes are vibing.
And Heavens Keys has never looked better.

Take care, happy lives, happy reading.
Toodles 💫

(Goodreads and pictures give me issues) you can see the new cover of Heavens Keys on my Profile on GoodReads and the book cover for Under Darkness and even Lightfall Rising on my website. https://samanthamullinsfantasy.wordpr...

You ever edit something so many times that you start questioning if words are even real?
Because same.

My brain has officially filed for workers’ comp and slapped a sticky note on my forehead that says “Down for Maintenance.” I’ve gone through so many rounds of editing Heaven’s Keys that by the end I was like, “You know what? Let’s just publish it before I try to rewrite the entire plot out of sheer panic.”

And now here I am, knee-deep in the first draft of Under Darkness, staring at blinking cursors and wondering if the word “the” is pulling its weight.

I’m not just tired. I’m the kind of mentally-fried where even my beloved K-dramas, C-dramas, and J-dramas are like, “Sis, we love you—but we can’t help you right now.” The plot twists don’t twist. The slow burns aren’t burning. And don’t even get me started on trying to follow subtitles when my eyes are basically buffering.

So guess what? I’m taking a break. A real one. One where I game with friends, reread the Iron Fey series because it still hits, and maybe–maybe—finally crack open the rest of Julie Kagawa’s books that are currently chilling on my TBR list like forgotten digital fossils.

Oh, and don’t be surprised if I spiral back into the gloriously messy world of the After series too. Judge me if you must. It’s toxic. It’s chaotic. It’s juicy.

If you’ve been stuck in an editing spiral, dragging your brain behind you like a half-dead houseplant—this one’s for you. You’re not lazy. You’re not giving up. You’re just overdue for a reboot.

And in this article, you’ll get:

Permission to stop (without guilt)
A laugh or three at how ridiculous burnout can be
A reminder that resting isn’t quitting—it’s literally how you keep going
Let’s get into it. After a snack. And a nap. Obviously.

Editing: The Endless Loop of Despair
Here’s how it starts: you write a sentence. You reread the sentence. You change a word. You stare at it. You change it back. You delete the whole thing. You write it again, slightly worse. Repeat until you either cry or close your laptop and walk away dramatically, like you’re in a writer-themed soap opera.

Editing, in theory, is supposed to polish your work. But sometimes? It just feels like slow creative erosion. Like you’re standing at the beach with a sandcastle of a story and every pass of edits is another wave slowly stealing chunks of it away.

Heaven’s Keys? That one’s been through the emotional equivalent of a telenovela. Multiple drafts. Endless tweaking. A few dark nights of the soul. And now that it’s finally published, your brain’s like, “Cool cool cool. Let’s jump into Under Darkness like nothing happened.”

Except—your brain has nothing left to give.

That’s the danger of the loop. You go from writing to editing to rewriting to doubting to obsessing to questioning if you’ve somehow forgotten how to string sentences together entirely. It’s like playing a game where the rules change every round and somehow you’re always losing.

And the wild part? No one talks about how exhausting that is.

People talk about writer’s block like it’s the only demon in the room. But editing fatigue? That sneaky gremlin that wears you down quietly until your ideas sound like elevator music? Yeah. That’s the one that gets you.

So if you’re stuck in that loop, feeling like every edit is just draining more of your soul–same.
And spoiler: it’s not weakness. It’s not laziness. It’s your brain saying,
“Hey, maybe let’s not run this creative engine into the ground.”

Next up?
We’re gonna talk about the true sign you need a break: when not even your comfort shows can save you.

Let me know if you want to tweak this section or if you’re ready for Section 2: When Even Your Favourite Dramas Can’t Save You.

When Even Your Favourite Dramas Can’t Save You
You know you’re cooked when even your holy trinity–Netflix, Viki, and YouTube—start feeling like background noise.

Normally, these shows are your lifeline. Your escape. Your emotional support chaos. You live for the love triangles, the dramatic stares, the slow-mo rain scenes, and the moment someone clutches their chest dramatically as they realise they’ve been in love this whole time. Chef’s kiss.

But lately? Nothing. You’re sitting there like a zombie, subtitles flying across the screen while your brain stares into the void. Plot twists that would normally have you gasping just get a blank blink. Your eyes are watching, but your soul has left the group chat.

That’s not just “meh” energy. That’s burnout.

When even your go-to joy sources start feeling like static, it’s your brain pulling the emergency brake.
It’s saying, “Hey bestie, love you, but I need a full system reboot, not another emotional rollercoaster with a broody CEO and an enemies-to-lovers arc.”

This is the point where you know it’s not just about writing anymore. You’re tired on a deeper level.
The kind of tired that Netflix, Viki, and YouTube can’t fix. The kind of tired that means it’s time to actually unplug.

And no, you don’t need to earn that break by being productive first. You don’t need to hit a word count, or finish a chapter, or edit “just one more scene.”

You just need to stop. Because when even your dramas can’t revive you, it’s not about entertainment anymore—it’s about recovery.

Next up?
How to actually take that break without spiralling into guilt (and yes, lying face down on the carpet absolutely counts).

Let me know when you’re ready for Section 3: The Sacred Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing (Without Feeling Guilty). 😌🛋️

The Sacred Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing (Without Feeling Guilty)
Doing nothing is an art form. A sacred ritual. A spiritual experience.
And yet… somehow also the one thing that makes us feel like absolute garbage if we’re not doing it ironically with a self-care candle and a productivity podcast playing in the background.

But hear me out: if your brain feels like it’s made of half-melted cheese and your eyeballs are staging a quiet protest every time you open a document, it’s time to flop.

And I mean full flop.
No partial flop.
No sneaky side quests.
No “I’ll just jot down a little plot note while I rest” nonsense.

We’re talking:

Horizontal. On the couch. Possibly in a blanket burrito.
Dead-eyed scrolling through TikTok for an hour and forgetting everything you just watched.
Staring at your TBR list like it personally betrayed you.
Mentally preparing to rest for so long you get tired from the idea of resting.
And of course, the guilt goblin shows up. Loudly. With notes.

“You should be working.”
“You’re falling behind.”
“Stephen King writes every day, you know.”

Shut up, Greg. (No offense to any Gregs out there)

You are not Stephen King.
You are a beautiful, exhausted little creative gremlin who has been doing the most and now deserves to do the least.

Real talk: your brain is not a 24/7 idea factory.
It is a fragile meat sponge that needs snacks, hydration, and silence.

Also, fun fact: doing nothing? Still doing something.
You’re recharging. You’re processing. You’re letting your brain stop sounding like a dial-up modem.

So if you find yourself lying face-down on the floor wondering whether you’re broken—you’re not.
You’re just buffering.

Next up?
Let’s talk about the true healing powers of rereading old favourites, screaming about fictional men in toxic relationships, and absolutely wrecking your friends in co-op games.

Ready for Section 4: Rereads, Rage-Reads, and Multiplayer Mayhem? 💅📖🎮

Rereads, Rage-Reads, and Multiplayer Mayhem
So, you’re taking a break. You’ve flopped. You’ve stared at the ceiling. You’ve eaten snacks you don’t even remember opening.

Now comes the recovery phase: feeding your brain the good stuff.

Let’s start with rereads.
There is nothing like returning to a book that still hits like it did the first time.

For me? That’s Julie Kagawa’s Iron Fey series. Every. Time.
I know what’s coming. I’ve read it before. Doesn’t matter. Still dramatic. Still magical. Still makes me want to stab someone with a fae blade and emotionally recover in a mushroom circle.

And sure, she’s got other series sitting on my TBR, just vibing, collecting digital dust like forgotten treasure.
Will I read them? Eventually.
But right now, I’m emotionally committed to my comfort chaos.

Then there’s the After series. Look.
It’s toxic. It’s wild. It’s like watching a beautifully dressed car crash in slow motion. But it’s also addictive and full of that “I can’t believe they just said that” energy that keeps you reading way past your bedtime.

Sometimes, you just need a little emotional damage to feel alive again. No shame.

And when the words aren’t hitting and even your favourite book boyfriends are like, “Not today, babe,”?
That’s when it’s time to enter full gamer goblin mode.

Enter: SCUM.

You haven’t lived until you’ve logged into SCUM with your friends, only to die within 60 seconds because someone forgot to say, “Hey, there’s a puppet right there.” Survival mode activated.

Suddenly, you’re looting bunkers, dodging robots, hunting deer like it’s your job, and arguing over whose turn it is to build the damn base.

It’s chaotic. It’s hilarious. And most importantly—it has nothing to do with writing.

And that’s the point.

This is your creative CPR:

Reread something that still slaps.
Rage-read something gloriously dramatic.
Get eaten by a puppet in SCUM and laugh about it with your friends.
You’re not procrastinating. You’re resetting.
You’re letting your mind breathe through things that don’t demand perfection—just participation.

Next up?
The final section: a little pep talk to remind you that this break doesn’t mean “the end”—it just means you’re charging up for the comeback.

Ready for Section 5: Trust the Comeback? ⚡💪

Trust the Comeback
So you’ve stepped back. You’ve given your brain a break. You’ve reread comfort books, raged through fictional drama, and probably died at least six times in SCUM.

You’ve existed purely on vibes, snacks, and emotionally-charged plot twists. Iconic.

Now here’s the part your inner overachiever might not want to hear:
you don’t need to rush the comeback.

You don’t need to “bounce back better than ever” with a 10k writing sprint or an outline for a brand new series.
This isn’t a sports montage.
There’s no dramatic music playing while you stare at your laptop in slow motion. (Although, honestly? Someone should make that a thing.)

Sometimes the comeback starts small.
Like opening your doc and just reading through it without wanting to scream.
Or writing one single sentence that doesn’t make you hate everything.

That counts. That’s progress. That’s you getting back in the game—not because you forced yourself, but because you gave yourself the space to breathe.

And here’s the truth: rest isn’t weakness. It’s strategy.

Creativity needs fuel. And yours doesn’t come from constant hustle—it comes from living. Laughing. Gaming with your chaos crew.
Rewatching a drama where someone dramatically gets amnesia. Reading a book that reminds you why you love stories in the first place.

So trust the comeback.

Trust that your words will return—better, sharper, and possibly more unhinged in the best way—once your brain has had the chance to defrost.

You’re not behind.
You’re not broken.
You’re just recharging.

And when you’re ready to return to Under Darkness or whatever story’s calling your name next—you’ll come back swinging.

But for now?
Flop on.
Rest hard.
And let the commas wait.

You know, I’d love nothing more than to kick back, sip some tea (or something stronger), and edit Under Darkness—maybe even see if my creative juices start flowing again so I can work on Lightfall Rising.
But NOPE.
Because guess what?! Being a self-published author—especially one who’s broke as a joke—means I’m out here hustling like a medieval bard trying to sing for his supper. It’s like planning a debutante ball on a dime-store budget and hoping no one notices the decorations are made of printer paper and wishful thinking.
I’ve been reaching out to book reviewers like crazy, and let me tell you, it’s starting to feel like job hunting:
📩 No response—because apparently, they vanished into the literary abyss.
💰 Sure, they’ll do it... for the low, low price of my soul and a stack of gold coins.
✉️ "Sorry, I am unable to review your book at this time, but best of luck!" (I get it, I truly do, but COME ON!)
Honestly, I knew this wasn’t going to be easy. I didn’t expect to wake up one morning and find Heaven’s Keys topping the bestseller charts while I casually sip a latte, basking in literary success. I’m a realist—I did my research. But still, throw me a bone, universe!
Some of my amazing friends have bought the book (love you forever!), and maybe, just maybe, with enough word of mouth, it’ll start gaining traction. You never know!
In the meantime, my sleepless nights continue. I thought I’d be able to catch up on rest after finishing the book, but nope--the raccoon eyes are here to stay, baby.
Upcoming Promotions!📚 LibraryThing Giveaway – April 1st! (No, it’s not an April Fool’s joke, I promise.)
📚 Another promo is in the works! I can’t for the life of me remember who I set it up with (because sleep deprivation is a thing), but as soon as I hear back, I’ll post the details here.
Until then, I’m gonna keep up the daily grind, continue shouting my book’s name into the void, and edit Under Darkness whenever I can. As for Lightfall Rising… well, it might have to wait just a little longer.
Cheers to the wild ride of self-publishing! 🎉

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGnOp...