The Skulls & What Next?

So last Monday, I was talking about shifting gears and how my first book, The Truth About Faking (link) is a classic YA--sweet, relatively clean romance--while my next book ROUGE is more harsh, edgy, new adult...

I've decided to embrace the difference, vive la difference, oui? ( ROUGE is set in New Orleans.)

But that leaves me with the question: What to focus on next?

I've had fans of TTAF ask if there's a sequel coming to that book. More Harley + Jason!

I don't have a sequel to that book

But! I've got a good 15K-word start on a companion book I'm calling Shadow Creek. The main character is Ashley Lockett, who we meet in the bathroom with Stephanie at the end of TTAF... (An excerpt was up on The Writing Show website two years ago, if anyone remembers that.)

Shadow Creek would not be as warm-fuzzy as TTAF, but it would be another classic, contemporary YA.

On the other hand, I'm equally as far into the sequel to ROUGE, and I'm pretty sure readers of that book will be wanting that sequel--Stat!

Alas, I'm only one struggling writer-girl. How in the world to write two books at once? And even once the book's written, it has to be edited, revised, etc.

This is the indie conundrum, yes? I'm everything--writing, editing, revising, formatting, marketing...

I'll stop complaining right... NOW! Because I have been so blessed. I've had a great experience so far, and I love being independent! I'm just wondering once the dust settles, where's the best place to focus my efforts? I guess I'll see how everyone responds to ROUGE (out 11/11, fyi).

In other news, while we're on the topic of my love for independence, I was honored to be tapped to join The Skulls... *cough* er--I mean the Indelibles (link)! How cool is that?

Check it out!I confess, I did the Pee Wee Herman Tequila dance when Dr. Susan Quinn (link) sent me the email invite.

The one thing about being a writer that I hate is how isolating it is.

I'm a pretty social person, but this business takes some serious concentration and focus. It's tough. And being independent further removes us from our networks... 

It's awesome to be part of a group of independent writers who know what we're up against and can provide support. More on that I'm sure soon.

So that's all my news. What's new with you guys?

As always, have a great week, reader- and writer-friends! <3