So, in other words, I guess a soft man is one who has feelings. Who listens. And who is cool with his partner having a job?
This sounds fine to me? I don’t know… what am I missing?
Well, a lot, apparently. Because where there is a hot take, there’s another one to counter it just around the corner. People who are “against soft men” say these traits make them, essentially, too feminine.
To which I say… so what’s wrong with being feminine?
If I’m reading the room correctly, we are, collectively, having a moment of anxiety. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think it is. This is pretty common in periods of transition, even if it’s a good transition, and we are most definitely transitioning right now.
Surprise-releasing a novella that was written pretty quickly was so good for my mental health. You’d think it’d be the opposite, right? So I thought I’d talk about that a little today. But first…
… oh my! Cross-posted on Substack. You may have seen it on Instagram already, but I have some major announcements (including a new, hot-off-the-press, just-released,
Holly is one of those amazing unicorns who are supremely talented in so many different areas. She writes romance! She writes spicy audio erotica! She officiates weddings! She offers baby indie authors (like me) advice and encouragement! She’s a really special person, and I’m honored she’s here to talk to us today. Let’s dive in, shall we?
On Threads a little while ago, someone’s post went unintentionally viral—as often happens over there. It was a post bemoaning the “just write” advice as not possible for someone who has a day job, kids, life responsibilities, and other things taking up one’s time. And, while I think the spirit of the thread was lost in the discourse—as often happens over there—writers gave an interesting look into their writing lives and what it means to them to “just write.” So, of course I have to weigh in.
If you’ve been seeing the social media posts about Romance Con being absolutely magical, I’m here to tell you that it’s all true. It was an incredible weekend, and I’m still glowing from it. I can’t wait to give you my official recap.
I have so many things to celebrate. I am so fortunate, and I am truly so, so happy. But I can’t let this weekend pass without acknowledging something really huge and sad. It’s not my typical post today, but… I don’t know. I’m feeling called to write about this, and who am I to argue with that?
TW for discussions of pregnancy loss on this one. If you’re feeling vulnerable about that, skip this one. Or scroll past to the Updates section.
Believe it or not, Ronnie and I connected over donuts.
Okay, well, sort of. I actually reached out to her back before she started authoring and offered her an ALC of The Write Place audiobook because I had some UK copies burning a hole in my ACX account. So I’ve been following her since before she was an author. On Threads, she posted something about people not liking your book and how scary that is, I think (I can’t remember anymore!), and I came back with something like: “Some people don’t like donuts, either. Doesn’t mean donuts aren’t awesome.” And then she tagged me in a picture of a donut, and now we’re best friends. (I’m manifesting.)
I’m so incredibly proud to announce that Ronnie just released her debut romance, Those Two Words, and I’m super excited she’s here today to talk about it!
I have been in my feels recently about this whole author thing. It looks both exactly and not at all like I thought it would. Lately, though, I’ve been struggling with a bit of an identity crisis as it pertains to all things in my life.
