A brand-new first draft...

It took me a long time to get here!

So, I did it. I finally—after two long years of writing, and re-writing, and re-writing again—finished a “first” draft of something new. I’ve sent it off to my literary agents. The last third of the book is honestly a blur, and I’m hoping that it came together better than this gingerbread house, lovingly decorated by my two-year-old son. We’re all just out here, trying our best.

Definitely would not enter, if I saw this in the woods

I could go on and on about how challenging this book was to write. Or, rather, the circumstances in which it was written. (I woke up approximately every 45 mins to an hour FOR A YEAR, and then the second year of toddler sleep wasn’t much better; I’m glad that I literally survived, much less produced a novel.) But! That’s for another post. Or maybe just for my therapist.

What I’m trying to say, in this chaotic pre-holiday message, is that I may or may not have a new book out for you somewhat soon. I’m not under contract, and this book… it’s not a rom-com. But it is by far the most romantic thing I’ve ever written. Thank you for sticking with me.

I’m going to rest now. I hope you’re resting, too. I mean that. If you’re reading this now, log off your computer. Log out of your social media. Go watch a holiday movie with your family. Go rest.

Love,

Carlie

P.S. Here is a string of burnt oranges that I left in the oven for too long, because I was on deadline and forgot about them for six hours. They look pretty on our Christmas tree anyway. I’m sure there’s a metaphor in there somewhere.