MM Hurley

It has been one heck of a month. And yeah, we are about five days into it. This year has already been met with sadness, drama, and headaches.

I can’t even tell you why. Just know that living life is sucky on a good day, and there have been a plethora of bad days lately.

Moving on….

When it comes to writing, right now, I can’t even tell you where my notebook is. The all-important one, with all the latest edits and pages in it. Yes, I’m in a terrible state of panic about this. Yes, I’m sure it’s somewhere in my home. Yes, I think it got hidden in my panic cleaning/rage cleaning over the holidays.

Many of the days leading up to the holiday season were spent at my daily job. I was given a seasonal promotion to Assistant Store Manager, which meant a pay increase, additional responsibilities, and a greater time commitment. And as good as all that is, it did mean that I didn’t write at all. I was so wiped out from the job that the hustle left my body.

But it was good. It was good to earn the extra income and really show that I can handle that role. It may be just the right step to secure a promotion when the time comes. And while I do want writing to be the full-time gig, it has yet to pay the bills. It has paid for its own expenses, so there is something.

So….What’s next? Here is a list to tell you via a list.

Journey/Thoughts/Comments/Q&As
via a list

1. Edits–There have been no significant updates on this front. I wish I could say differently, but I can’t. Last October, I got a temporary promotion, and with that, my life took a busy spell. Now, since I’m no longer mentally worn out from work. I am hopeful that I will be able to find my way back to the creative goals I have for myself. Starting this coming Wednesday, I’m headed back to the library. I need to find my footing again. Figure out where I stepped away from the story, then jump back in. Once I do that, I hope to finally finish the next draft of the story. Then the hard part will be finding an editor to work on the story.
2. Marketing = Fairs/Vendor Events: My goals for 2026 include attending more vendor events. I have applied to two; one is confirmed. I think one event a month from March to September is manageable with my other duties in my life. (You know, daily job, wife, mother, housekeeper, meal planner, etc and so forth) I really want to just share my book. Find the people who love my story. And perhaps, simply being in a community where people are already in a shopping mindset may help.
   The other part of Marketing is that I’m back on TikTok. Recently, I have been posting content with the creator rewards program. I’m just hoping I can get some traction while screaming into the void. I know people who make a lot of money doing content creation, and I believe them. I just don’t see how it works. I’m just doing my best to keep my little corner of the internet tidy, connect with people that relate, and keep sharing my writing/life journey.
3. Plotting: Up until this week, I haven’t been able to think about my stories at all. My creative mind has begun to spin again, and I’m working on some plot points. I have always known what I want Emmeline’s story to be. She’s had a bit to say about it as well. Meaning, things have to ebb and flow. Once I find my notebook, I will complete a read-through of book two. From there, I will have a better idea of how far Emmeline has moved me from the outline. From there, I’ll be able to make sure all my dots are connecting.
4. Next Steps: My immediate next step is just to keep moving forward. There is the matter of completing the draft. That requires me to find my notebook, which is still misplaced. Then begin typing up all the new additions and edits. Then just finish telling the story I want to share in the next book. From there, it’s finding an editor to polish the story. All the while, continuing to find new ways to promote and find readers who love my book as much as I do.
   It’s a lot. But it’s the life of an indie author.

This is where I am at. I hope I can get momentum again.

Enjoy my year-end recap from TikTok. Up there and a short TikTok below of playing games with my kiddos.

@mm_hurley

candy land and matching games….it’s been a while since I’ve played these games, but she loves them so much. #momlife #indieauthor #merrychristmas

♬ enchanted 1989 tour – swiftieoath

Thanks for following along with the journey.