On a good note

A few weeks ago I was really down in the dumps. I thought about quitting my author title and letting go of the stress of not "succeeding". But having my readers/friends behind me really helped me rise above my struggles and my negativity. I am so grateful to each and every person who gave me a word of wisdom and who has stuck by me since day one. I couldn't and wouldn't be doing this without their support.
I still have my days of struggle, but that one week was a hard one. I've gone from stressing over money/books to now feeling much more settled and have been working on a better spending budget. I now have to make sure I am not overspending, yet I am able to still purchase what I want or need. I am in no means poor, but I still need to watch what I buy. That was my problem. Anywhooo enough of $$$ talk.

On another good note, Chasing Paige is now being edited. I completed writing this novel the other night. When I wrote "The End" the tears made their way out of my eyes, I haven't ever cried over finishing a book. This was a first for me. I believe it had to do with the fact that I did this for my mom, my aunt, my grandfather and for those that believe in me as a writer. Taking my style in another direction scares me so much that I am afraid of failing them/you. However scared I am, it all comes down to trying something new for myself. I enjoyed every word and page I wrote in Chasing Paige. There is a love story in there yet it still has some interesting twists to the plot that I believe you will enjoy - twists I didn't see coming in the beginning of writing CP. That's the beauty of story-telling - you have no idea where your characters or where the story is going to take you. My mind and imagination are always plotting and thinking of different scenario's for my books. It's a lot of fun.
So now that CP is done, I am kind of at a loss of what to do. I know I have things around my house that should be finished, but I am so very lazy. Plus it's been hot, who wants to finish painting their room when it's 100 degrees outside? Not me lol.

Well, time to start thinking of my prologue for Releasing Rhythm - downtown book 5 (Jason's story).. He's slowly getting ready to tell his story.. He's a bit closed up at the moment, not sure he wants to open up to the public. He's my dark horse, yet he needs to let it go. He needs to find love. He needs to be truly happy. I am excited!
Until then - happy reading!

My "Big"

So I just passed the 60K mark on Chasing Paige. This new book is supposed to be out November 8th 2016. It's very nerve wracking when you think you won't be able to make it to your own deadline, but in the end I always do. However, I am going to be going OVER my usual 63k-65k mark. I really don't know exactly how it's going to end, but I do know there will be an HEA.
This book is unlike all my other ones. The difference is my pen name - Tiffany Janine instead of TJWest. Even though the loyal readers I have will want to read it, I am still quite nervous for the new readers. Will they like it without the sex and my usual filthy language. I actually miss saying the word FUCK and other raunchy words, but this story will not have it. It's very contemporary with a twist toward the end. You will see at the beginning of each chapter of my leading lady's POV a story within my story. It's something different and I hope the readers like it. If you like horror stories, you'll get a glimpse of some nasty blood talk in those clips.

I have a confession: I almost made the decision, after my downtown series, that I will quit writing. Last week was bad fucking week for me, in the book world and financially. The reason for quitting was because I really didn't believe in myself as a writer/a story teller. I want so badly to make it "big" in the book community. I want to be talked about all over the place, like so many amazing authors are. Even one of my closest friend's who I admire as a person and writer is at the top of that mark and I couldn't be more happy for her. She deserves this more than anything, but I am wishing for the same thing. I pray with Chasing Paige that my "big" will come. BUT I cannot keep up that hope, because I will only be let down in the end. I have to really try to stay grounded and still write for those that want my stories.
No matter what happens, I know I still have readers who depend on my books to get them through the day. Even if I never become "big" I have accomplished something in my life. I never thought I'd become an author. Over 24yrs ago when I wrote my first cheesy book in high school, I never imagined we would be able to self publish. It's become a small dream for me.
I hope to inspire and to continue gathering those readers because those readers helped me get my "big"
So thank you Readers!
On that note, here is a teaser from Chasing Paige