A week in the life of Haley...

The title of this post is slightly skewed - a regular week in my life isn't nearly as insanely busy as this week has been. 

The first few days of this week were spent in sleepless nights, leading up to the release of On the Same Page - yes, this is very true, and yes, I woke up from nightmares regarding the reception of the book. 

Something I don't think I would ever share publicly and... frankly, it's a little nerve-wracking for me to even share, here (okay, this IS public, I get that. But, if you're here on patreon, I feel a little... kinship with you? A little bit more of a connection, than with whoever is viewing my social medias, which are totally open to the world) - I did, indeed, have nightmares as the release of the book approached. And that's something that occurs with almost every book I've released (not the sequel novellas, so much, because those are just... babies, in my mind). 

I put a lot of pressure on myself, to produce something that people enjoy. Something that reflects well on me, well on Monica, well on you for being my biggest supporters... and maybe it's kind of insane/borderline unhealthy to the level I take it to, but I truly try to hold myself and my books to a standard. 

I shared a... edited version of this sentiment on twitter/IG the other day (I know. You're thinking, if you saw the post, about the several paragraphs and going that was edited?!), but seriously - the positive reception and debut success for On the Same Page has been incredible and I appreciate it so much. 

And the truth really, really is that On the Same Page would not exist without my patrons. 

I came up with the concept of the novel for last year's holiday novella. Which, you can see the origins of, in how their journey begins. But Riley and Gianna grew so big in my mind. They grew so strong. Their story grew to be something WILDLY beyond anything I imagined. I thought during last holiday season, that I would write it in 40k. 

I then thought, in springtime, that their story would cap out around 80k. 

I then thought in the summer, that it would FINALLY cap out around 100-110k. 

But... they were just never done. Even when I finished Riley's version of events, I couldn't help but be overtaken by Gianna's. Sweet baby Gianna, who had so much character growth and such a journey... it just so happened that her journey of falling for Riley happened long before Riley's journey. 

So, genuinely, thank you, for being here. Having you, here, makes me a better writer. 

The couple of days following the book release, I spent nervously checking reviews and ratings and response. Terrified of failure (unhealthily so). Wanting (badly) to measure up to the standard I set for myself. 

I did, however, manage to channel my book anxieties into a very productive endeavor. 

Has anyone here ever hollowed out a book???

I, now, can say I've done so. It takes several bottles of jigsaw glue, a very sharp x-acto knife, a lot of determination, and decent hand strength. I searched briefly on the internet for someone who offered their services hollowing out books, but was unable to find anyone who would hollow out a paperback. I get that hardcovers would be preferable, but I truly believe those people are underestimating just how sturdy a 600 page softcover novel is.

Monica and I have already been talking about marriage - in both the romantic and unromantic ways. The "unromantic" ways like, health insurance and legally, it makes things easier in the ever-changing dynamics of this country. We want to be able to be in the room with one another, if anything ever happens. In the romantic sense of... well, who doesn't want to celebrate when they've found the person who makes every day better? 

Once OtSP was published and officially out of my hands, I turned my attention to my next adventure. 

The next adventure, starting with renting a bookstore for a date night. Hollowing out a copy of Those Who Wait. Writing in a proposal on the inside, as well as tucking the ring in there, too. Waiting for Monica to have to go wash her hands after dinner. And placing the book on the shelf for her to find while we browsed. 

To top off the huge development in my professional life, there's now a huge development in my personal life. 

She said yes. 

And the week, technically, isn't even over. I can't imagine, though, what could possibly happen to improve it. 

We aren't (just yet) announcing anything on Big Social Media. But this is life news I want to share, here.