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“Just Write” and other really simple advice that annoyingly works

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.

When love is louder than grief, and other important musings

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.

Indie Romance Feature Friday: Ronnie Matthews

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!

FREE BOOKS!

It’s back-to-school time here, my friends. We started at our first institute day yesterday, and my students start on Monday. So I figured, what better time to schedule a FREE Kindle event for my teacher-related ebooks?

Which Allie Samberts Heroine are You?

In honor of back-to-school right around the corner (or, for some of you, in the rearview mirror already!), I’ve got a little quiz for you! Don’t worry—it’s not graded. But I thought it’d be fun to find out what Allie Samberts heroine you are with a personality quiz! It was so fun to put together. I hope you have fun taking it, and be sure to let me know who you got in the comments! (And let me know if you think I should do another one about “Who is your perfect Allie Samberts book boyfriend?”)

My mental health has been crap lately.

Y’all. I have been deep in the muck this summer. I am grateful that I can schedule this newsletter so I can take a breather with my family as we are on a little end-of-summer vacation this week, but I finally feel like a fog is clearing away from my brain, and it is so refreshing to be on the other side of it.

Which also means I figured I should talk a bit about mental health today.

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