How to Write a Book While Emotionally Spiralling

I hit 60,000 words in my next book the other day and had a full-body existential crisis about it.

Like any rational person, I handled this milestone by slamming my laptop shut, dramatically declaring that “I love it!” and then “I hate it!”, and then “I love it—I think! Maybe.”

On repeat until forever.

For those who’ve been following along, Book Two is on its way.

She’s got everything:

• A hardened female assassin

• An equally hardcore man who is also an assassin

• Emotional tension

• Action-packed fight scenes

• And of course—spice. (Not just any spice. The spiciest kind.)

:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

What’s wild is that I thought Book One (Wild Thing) was the catharsis. The big emotional purge and the learning curve.

But Book Two?

Nah, she’s come in swinging.

Here’s the thing about writing characters who are emotionally complicated: they start acting like roommates you can’t evict.

They hijack your brain at all times of the day.

They whisper things to you constantly.

They remind you of the parts of yourself you’d rather keep nicely filed away.

And that’s kind of the magic, isn’t it? Writing makes you spill your guts.

Anyway. The draft is drafting.

I’m deep in revision brain, caffeinated beyond reason.

If you liked Wild Thing—the emotional damage, the heat, the heartbreak—then you’re going to fall completely apart for this one.

And I can’t wait to watch it happen.

xo, K.J.