I survived the summer! Barely, but I survived.

After turning 47 and losing my agent, I got hit with Hurricane Florence. Not exactly a perfect summer, so I'm glad it's over.

Please tell me your summer was better than mine ;)

Oh, and Hurricane Florence destroyed the main setting of my new book.

There. Crazy, no? Lord, is this a sign that I'm not supposed to write anymore?

I don't think so, but time will tell.

The second book is far from dead. Those who rejected it were simply concerned that there were too many military novels out at the moment. I had my first editor read it last month, and she adored it. She thinks it's so much better than the debut (which now has more than 130 great reviews), and I really trust her judgement. I'm working hard to get it to you as soon as possible.

There's a small publisher reading it right now. Please pray it works. I don't need 30,000 readers to be happy. But if 300 people want a second book, I want to have it available to them. It kills me not to have it... :/

So, how did I lose my agent? I'm not sure... Creative differences? Maybe.

Or maybe it's because I'm too green and still discovering my place and my voice. I might need more hand-holding than a busy, mega agency can give.

I'm almost certain Asperger's Syndrome had something to do with it too. I see the world in black and white, and when grey explodes on my face, I don't know what to do, and I surely don't know when to stop talking and/or how to let things go.

Who knows?

I might know why this had to happen though. The new novel has an Aspie leading lady. I will have her go through something similar to show how Asperger's is a real obstacle and not just some "cute" thing to put on one's bio.

Hurricane Florence is being added to the novel too. How could it not? The action takes place between Wilmington and Sunset Beach/Myrtle Beach. Florence will show up in Act III.

By the way, we were finally able to go back to church today, and the academy will reopen tomorrow.

Others are still struggling, but it's nice to see the community come together and labor for good. The Walmart parking lot is an ocean of vans and RVs: Tide/P&G, Geico, USAA, licensed contractors, and many other services. I tear up every time I see it.

Please pray for the Carolinas.

How can I pray for you today? Reply and let me know :)

Enjoy your autumn! Make it a beautiful season, friends.

Much love,

Patricia