Have you ever had a season where you’ve had to make hard choices?

Choosing to say no to one thing to say yes to another?

This week I had to say no to a book contract with an independent collection that I really wanted to say yes to, to make space for my family. I agonized over the choice. I loved working with this team last year. My novel Art of Deception came out in Come What May in September and it was great. And I’ll probably work with them again.

I see participating in these collections as a way to support other writers and a way to write books that fit in the larger constellation of my writing. Often they are books that lead into series for my traditionally published works. Art of Deception is the prequel to The Vanished that released last week. I was going to write book three in an earlier series this summer for this contract.

But as I kept thinking and praying about it, I just felt a tightening in my stomach. I have another full length novel to write for my publisher this year. It’s a busy season for our family. And my teaching job consumed a lot of energy this spring. I’m dry. Even though it’s really hard, I’m giving myself the gift of a slight pause, a little inhale.

I have some ideas for how I could use that time to do a few other writing related things. Or not. We’ll see.

Have you ever had that little hitch in your stomach? That little voice in your head? How did it go for you?

By the way, it’s been so exciting to see early reactions to The Vanished . Thanks to everyone who’s bought and read it already! Thank you for leaving reviews to help others discover it. It makes such a difference!