Aloha! I’ve been a bit distracted these past few weeks. About a year ago, I started writing the sequel to Salt of the Earth—and, for the first time ever, I ran into something new: writer’s block. This book is under contract, which may have been part of the problem. I had to write it. The first hundred pages of the draft were pure drudgery. (Not exactly a good marketing line, is it?) But I kept pushing forward, and something magical happened—the story began to come alive. Yes, I had to circle back and clean up those opening chapters, but once the characters and storylines started to take shape, the words began to flow. As is often the case, the last hundred pages came in a rush. I couldn’t stop writing. I wanted to reach the end and see where the story would take me. For those curious about my process: yes, I outline, but very loosely. I prefer to let the story unfold naturally within that framework. This time, that final hundred-page sprint consumed me—it was fun, exciting, and deeply satisfying. Most of the novel follows my usual writing style, though I experimented with a couple of new techniques in two chapters. I’m eager (and a little nervous) to hear how readers respond to those sections, good or bad. So, When Will Sea of Salt Be Released? Not soon, I’m afraid. I’m entering what I consider the toughest part of writing: editing. First comes an oral read-through with my ever-patient partner. We’ll catch basic factual and wording errors, but this isn’t deep editing yet. Then comes the serious round—rereading the entire manuscript, red pencils in hand (figuratively), and tearing into the flow, pacing, and grammar. After that, the manuscript goes to my favorite line editor for her expert take. The upside? I’m skipping traditional publishing this time. I’m too old to spend a decade in that mill waiting for the novel to reach print. If all goes well, Sea of Salt might be out by Christmas—but more likely by May 2026. In the meantime, I plan to share a few chapters and excerpts on social media and would love your constructive feedback along the way. Should I Use AI for Editing? That’s the lingering question. I often use AI tools (like this one) to proof and edit my blog posts, and I’m generally happy with the results. But when it comes to a full novel, I’m hesitant. Would an AI edit help polish the work—or might it smooth out too much of my voice? I’m curious to hear your thoughts.
