Snip, snip.

It’s halfway through the month of February and I’m about halfway through gathering all of the feedback I’ve received so far from my critique partners.

​I’m really grateful for these folks. 
 
In some instances, they’ve boosted me with much-needed praise. They’ve also each pointed out where improvements could be made, or where scenes should be cut.
 
Cutting scenes.
 
This is the hardest part for me because I want my readers to know everything about all of my characters! 
 
My brain knows this just isn’t possible, but my heart aches knowing that I’m going to have to chop and chop some more. 
 
But I want Test of the Four to be a great second book in The Serrulata Saga. And, who knows? Maybe some of the scenes that wind up on the chopping block will reappear somewhere else…
 
A Thing I Enjoyed This Week
 
Yoga! Or, well, my new commitment to it. 
 
I’ve gained weight since everything shut down around the DMV in March 2020. This has been hard for me, like I know it’s been hard for a lot of folks, and last year I sank into a deep depression over it. Though I’ve been running more, I’m still not happy with the way I look. Honestly, I’m not sure I ever will be again. I’m older and it’s not as easy for me to lose weight as it once was. But I’m tired of being sad about it all of the time.
 
In an effort to improve my mental health, I challenged myself to complete a 30-day yoga program last month. All in all, it did wonders for my mental state. I’m happy to say that I’ve remained committed to keeping this as part of my daily routine. I’m still larger than I’d like to be, but that dark cloud that used to hang over my head all of the time isn’t there as often.
 
Until next time – stay safe and well, y’all!
 
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Thinking of spring...

It’s February, Serrulata Squad! 
 
I’m not sure about you, but January 2022 felt incredibly long but also somehow flew by for me.  
 
It’s been bitterly cold here in the DMV and I yearn for spring. I will be taking some time away from social media and writing this coming weekend for a much-needed recharge.  
 
I sent my second romance off to critique partners yesterday. I’m really hoping folks like it; these two characters grew on me like you wouldn’t believe. 
 
When I return from my mini-break, I’ll begin the process of first edits to Book Two of the Serrulata Saga. I’m also going to be doing the title reveal this month. As always, newsletter subscribers will hear it first – so sign up if you haven’t already!
 
Bennett’s Books – January Wrap-Up
 
A list of the indie books I read this past month with links to my Goodreads reviews:
 
Sweet & Dark: A Collection of Gay Erotic Stories - Grayson Bell
Afterlands: After the Harrowing – Boots
Magic in Autumn Springs - K.B. Davenport
Saving the Stray - Darlane L. Evans
A Bitter Drink - Azalea Forrest
Stormbringer - Erinn Harper
Flowers for Fara - Amara Lynn (ARC copy)
The Savior’s Rise - Talli L. Morgan (ARC copy)
Toad! And the Glass Eye - W. Payne Sillavan 
Bloody Spade - Brittany M. Willows
 
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