In the course of choosing the representative song titles for this month’s blog post, I realized something I never considered before: I may be a closet optimist. Well, maybe a little. In certain things. Still, who knew?

A bit of a recap. For those who didn’t read last month’s blog…well, go back and do it! In the absence of that, I can only summarize that I mentioned a huge upcoming meeting (interview) I was anticipating. It was anyone’s guess how it would go. We even wondered if they’d cancel.

The good news is, the meeting took place as scheduled. The bad news is, it went pretty much the way we expected. In a word, frustrating. However, it’s going to be glorious for the chapter that will relay all the dirty details. There’s something to be said for sitting back and letting people be exactly who you know they are. They did not disappoint on that end.

The pressure to finish the book is evident from the state of my home, the laundry that’s built up, the dishes that should be done, the neglect my husband is subject to, and the anxiety that has temporarily manifested itself into some physical “tells” on my person. No worries to canine lovers out there, though. My dog is well-fed and has fresh water. Always.

I’m about two-thirds finished now. Fifteen chapters to go. I suppose that’s a fair amount of progress over last month, when I was only halfway there. Still, the goal was the end of last September. I guess that’s a great example of how things tend to go with New Year’s resolutions, huh?

This year, I’m going to try to mix reality with hope. It’s an even year, so I’m going to have to employ a little restraint as far as goals. Even years hate me. Then again, 2025 put me through the proverbial wringer. All in all, though, aside from the loss of two of the people I loved most in the world, I was able to stay on track. Maybe not with what I needed to get done, but definitely with the requisite attention it needed.

It’ll be a nice change when I can shift from writing to editing (and getting the book to a proper editor), and at that time work with my cover designer and marketing team to discuss trailers, the book-specific web page, swag, press releases, promotion, and the pièce de resistance: the release party! It’ll feel like a reward after more than a year of onerous isolation, endless research, and sweating every word I write in anticipation of the certain lawsuits planned by those who would like to see this project murdered in its cabin.

It may seem like cheating to say I have no further 2026 goals than mid-April, but that’s the way it is. For the rest of the year, I’m hoping to promote the new book, clean my house, pay my husband some attention, love on my dog, and plan a smashing holiday season to make up for the one I robbed my kids and grandkids of last year. We’ll see how that all works out. If things go smoothly, I’d also really love to start working on book 5 of my saga.

Man, I miss fiction.

What I do love about writing this nonfiction book is that I was able to capitalize on my strengths even while learning to create a work in an entirely different category. I’d never envisioned writing true crime. And if I’m honest, this book doesn’t feel overly true crime-ish.

In some ways, it’s structured like a story. It has a beginning, a middle, and an end that walks the reader through the history of the place in which the crimes took place. It gives a bit of background on the victims never before put together. It walks folks through the events of the crime itself. Explores the investigation as well as the various witnesses and potential suspects. Then, it follows the years after the case went cold. It examines myths, rumors, and gossip about the many people involved. It provides plenty of information for the reader to consider, so they can decide for themselves what to think about who did it, why, and how. It also shines an unforgiving spotlight on how the case (and the victims’ families) were handled over the years by revolving Sheriffs’ administrations.

And so, so much more.

But enough of my pitch. If I can pull this off to the victims’ families’ satisfaction, I’ll be thankful. The rest of those involved, well, it depends. The novelist in me hasn’t quite managed to achieve the professional distance needed to stop caring if someone I interviewed gets hurt. I believe at least one or two will. It bothers me beyond explanation. However, as they know, it’s not personal. It’s just a matter of fact. Some things need to be more closely scrutinized.

Anyway, lots in store there―if I can just finish the darn book.

On the other side of this thing, it sure will be nice to be able to start engaging on social media again. I’ve tweeted out (yes, I still say “tweet”) a few random things over the last few months, but I’ve more or less stayed off the internet beyond research. My Facebook page hasn’t seen a post since I don’t know when. It’ll be nice to start posting more regularly. Perhaps some Insta stuff as well. If you’re so inclined, you can navigate to the “Connect” drop box at the top of this page and click on “YouTube & Social Media” for all my links. Although I don’t typically respond to direct messages, if you drop a comment or question anywhere, I’m fairly good about replying. I love engaging with readers!

Here’s hoping everyone out there has a blessed 2026. Don’t let the “even years” get you down! 

See you all next month. Until then, stay safe.

TTFN