War Games, Jacky Leon Book 11, was pushed back to February because I am getting a divorce after 11 years of marriage.
BEFORE I GO FURTHER:
DO NOT FIND MY HUSBAND TO MESSAGE/HARASS/BOTHER/SNOOP FOR ANY REASON.
LEAVE. HIM. ALONE.
I will admit that the reason I have been quiet is because I don’t generally share too much. I bet it doesn’t feel that way. I have been very open about a number of topics before from depression, anxiety, and burnout. I have mastered an art of tell you all just enough that I’m comfortable with being out there, but know how to maintain a balance of things that don’t get out. Marital problems were never going to be public, so when I only thought of those problems, I just wouldn’t post. I was actually hoping to hide this blog from the world until January because I didn’t want to dampen the holidays with this news, since my holidays suck and I didn’t want you all to know that. However, you noticed I postponed War Games (fair), and it’s better to tell you the why then leave you wondering.
I won’t get into why we’re divorcing or anything like that. The simple fact of the matter is that our marriage is over. It just is and has been for some time. It has, obviously, consumed much of my time and thoughts figuring out what the future will be. I will talk a bit about the future. We have a house and 6 pets. We don’t want to see our pets leave our care or not receive the best love and care we can possibly provide, but we have to figure out how to make that happen. Technically, the copyrights for my novels are marital property, so this has reasonably made me anxious about my ownership over my novels(adding a new wrinkle into trying to find the right headspace to write), and we’re working through that as well. He didn’t help me write them or anything. He’s never been very involved. The important part is that we are working together.
So I postponed War Games. I have to throw out all my expectations of the next year(already quietly threw out 2024 plans earlier this year). I might fall into writing like I have nothing else in the world because it’s an escape. I might be too anxious and busy to do that. I have no idea. Maybe I’ll find an outlet in sharing with everyone how single life is treating me after being very taken for 12-13 years.
There’s a lot I don’t know right now, but a few important things I do. I know I want to hang out with my characters while I write again. I miss Jacky, Everly, Kaliya… all of them. From my lengthy burnout (which I will admit that was very much marriage related) to a divorce, I haven’t felt comfortable giving them as much time, which pulls me away from things in my life I needed to think about and deal with. I’m a storyteller. From childhood with stuffed animals crafting epics on my floor to now, I find the most joy when I am looking at the human condition and telling stories about how I see the world or trying to capture and understand different perspectives. I love to capture the struggles and the successes. It’s all I ever want to do. I’ve just been bogged down by one of those sad facts of life. Sometimes forever isn’t forever. I come from divorced parents, and so did he. We both knew this truth already. It won’t stop me from hoping for forever’s for my characters or for him and I with different people. He and I didn’t work out and we need to figure out how to deal with that.
I was 23 when I got married. I am 34 now. I have a lot of life ahead of me. I am still younger than Jacky when her series started! I’m in for another rough year that might lead to only 1-2 books. I might write 8. I have no idea. I do think, however, that once this is done, I will write more again and it will be okay. We’ll get back to the exciting lives of Jacky, Everly, and everyone else, I promise. I just ask that you all continue to come along for the ride with me while I deal with the real life struggles.
Happy Holidays, everyone.
Love, K
Thank you for sharing such a private honest part of your life. Wishing you the best.
Thank you for sharing.Take all the time you need. The Characters and us readers will still be here for you when you feel like writing. Life kinda just happens sometimes and I think that something everyone understands (I hope). Write when you feel up to it and take care of yourself when you need too.
Here’s hoping you are OK and an decent transition in your life will be a faithful reader when and if you can get back into it hope you have support of family and friends
One massive hug for you. Thank you for sharing this when you really didn’t have to. I hope you and your husband can find a way to make this work out.
Thank you for sharing! I really appreciate you laying it all out like this and hope you take all the time you need. I know we will all be waiting for you and your characters when you feel ready.
Life doesn’t always go the way we plan – but I am wishing you all the best, sending all the good viberoonies I can.
Noticed but wasn’t purging. Times like this are rubbish but you will get through it. Been there done that so I know how bad it is without all the added complications. If you frantically write more, great! If you write less then so be it. We will be here when they appear.
I love the worlds you create and the stories you tell. I’ll gladly wait on those stories as you write your own next chapter.
*hugs* thank you so much for sharing. I am so sorry that things have turned out the way they have. I hope this year brings healing and renewal to you.
Thank you for sharing. Wishing you all the best. The best is yet to come.
All the hugs in the world to you! Thank you for sharing. I hope you still have an amazing holiday!
May your holiday be filled with healing and peace. We are your supportive tribe who will be happy to take whatever you can give us and whenever that maybe.
We love you hugs! I can wait for my Jacky fix!;)
As always, ma’am. You’re appreciated and respected, didn’t have to give a reason but I get why. I adore you, take care of yourself and do what you need to be ok. That has always been my advice and I’ll always say that. Because you are more important than the words on paper. I wish you ease and gentleness.
Hi Kristen,
Marriage is hard and divorce is even harder. Trying to figure out what you are like after living as a couple for a long time can be difficult. Your life will look differently from here on out. Be kind to yourself. Have a bubble bath with a glass of wine, a spicy book, and some dark chocolate. ((HUGS))
Best wishes for the new year,
Gina
First I would like to say I have loved all of the tribunal world books and will always wait for the next no matter how long the wait. The character that you write about really come to life to make us cry, laugh and to just love them.
I am very sorry that you have had a ruff couple of years do to the fates deciding that it was your time to go through them. I haven’t had the luck in love that so many have had but I did go through a time we’re life was hard. It happened for me in high school and college years. With the loss of close family during that time.
It will be hard to get though but know that we are all here for you when and if you need us.
Wishing you and your family all the best for the future, and I sincerely hope you can see light shinin through the clouds.
It has been a rough year (Iam doing the same as you. With me it’s been 40yrs of marriage just understand you will survive and the peaceful feeling of being able to write again will come. Take your time we will be here waiting
Sending hugs.
Take your time. We your readers will still be here when you are back.
((HUGS)) I’m in the final stage of divorce here and it is tough. I hope you are able to get the support you need and that the separation process is a smooth transition. I love your books! Great characters.
My pet is a great help to me.
Thank you for sharing such private and painful journey you are on. Ride the waves and when you are ready your fans will be here to read the next adventures of Jacky and Everly. Heal and discover your new world.
Thank you for sharing. I hope for you the best is yet to come.
My Holiday sucks this year too. Just know you’re not alone, even if it feels that way. Do what you need to heal.
Thank you for sharing I understand you are going through a difficult time and writing should not be rushed. I actually was rereading all my Jacky Leon books while waiting and realized I had never found Ritual and Ruins Anthology. Is Full Moon Magic available somewhere or also waiting for the right time for Teagan and Olivia story to be told
I actually had to step back from the Rituals and Ruins anthology due to circumstances going on in my life at that time. Don’t worry, Teagan and Olivia will be gracing pages soon!
Whoop! Good luck on a grand new adventure!