This means I’m not making the progress I want. (I did my best to follow her pointers, at least.) Things that my beta reader pointed out for East Roars, already, and things I couldn’t quite see back then. I did mention above that I’m noticing places in my writing where I feel I can do better now. Second, I am stressing out over editing the manuscript I have for Earth. However – *sigh* – the cover needs a bit more work, and my designer is on it, but right now, I can’t even share it, because that’ll be a major change. I’m still trying hard to get Earth Splits published this month. Yes, that was a revelation and that takes me to the next block in this report. It has opened my eyes to some ways I actually fall short of that in my own writing. (If you know of authors who write F/M romances the way M/M romances work, please, please tell me!!)Īnyway, so I’ve been reading a lot, which is good because it helps me reconnect with what I love to read and thus what I love to write. Thing is, I doubt I’ll get that in any kind of F/M romance, simply because (I’m assuming) most of those readers probably love exactly those gender stereotypes. I mean, we live in the freaking 21st century, why can’t we have stories that actually… put us there? Where people work together and fall in love regardless of gender?

Yes, they have to overcome misunderstandings, feelings of inadequacy, protectiveness, handling danger and the entire gamut of romance entanglements – but they do not fall into the damsel and hero trope traps.Īnd I am so, so tired of all those gender stereotypes. They are not hung up on gender stereotypes. But I think it’s because in gay romance both partners are truly equal. Found another author of M/M romance and have been reading her books ever since, often more than one per day. Mostly, I just wanted to hide from everything. I had no ideas and no motivation, whatsoever. (Who am I kidding? Of course, I’m putting pressure on myself.) Burnout Progress Report Which means I’m not putting (much) pressure on myself to reach specific word counts or even write in specific manuscripts. In this progress report for May 2023, I’m finally admitting that, yes, I was in Burnout and I’m still climbing out of that pit.

Wish by A.J. Sherwood