Facts are unchangeable. Oh, you can twist them this way and that to give different reasons, motivations, or perspectives on those facts but the basic fact remains the same. 

George Washington was president of the United States. That is a fact. Of course, we read and decide if we think he was a good president or not. We can have our opinions about his policies, but that doesn't change the basic fact that he was president. 

Some facts are a lot harder to deal with. Lately, I've been dealing with a lot of them when it comes to my writing. 

On social media, it's a fact that most people spend their time enjoying videos, some quite clever, creators put together. The hard fact for me to swallow is I'm not good at making those videos and I'm not good in front of the camera.

Here is another fact I'm facing: It seems that most people want to read romantic comedy, magical fantasy, or historical books that delve into mature/sexual themes. That runs right smack-dab into the fact that I, for various reasons, won't write any of these.

In recent years, better cover design and print-on-demand merchandise have placed a lot of high expectations on authors for spectacular covers and swag for each release. That bumps up against my budget as well as my lack of time to make everything spectacular all the time. 

One of the most humbling facts I've faced is that most of the promotional ventures I've tried, personally and with groups, have not gone as well as I had hoped. I don't like it but it's another undeniable fact.

So where is this leading? Before you panic, this is not my farewell address in which I say I'm never publishing another book. After all, I have two more books in the Kate's Case Files Series to publish and I will not disappoint my fans. I'm busy writing them, I promise. What this is is an honest admission and a humbling one.

I have hit a point I'm unable to change with the marketing tide. It's not because I don't care enough to learn, or because I don't love my readers, I just have limitations. Those limitations are facts, just as the expectations are facts. So where do all these facts leave me?

While I haven't figured out all of what it means, I do know that it will mean I'll be publishing less in the years to come. Again, I'm not leaving. I'm already well on my way to making 2024 the year I complete the Kate's Case Files series. And I have other stories on my heart I want to write and share. However, I think it will take less of my time.

I also know I'm going to stop trying so hard on social media. I'm so incredibly weary of spending so much time working to create content, only to have algorithms make it so my followers don't see it. I'm weary of being pushed to make reels or videos. I'm weary of people only seeming to like the posts that are staged to amaze. So I'm not going to try anymore. I'm not leaving social media, but I'm done trying to be impressive or meet the expectations. I'm done trying to reduce my thoughts into social media-sized bites.

I'm returning to blogging. I know I've said that a few times before, but this time, I mean it. I'll share about my life, my thoughts, my heart, even if no one reads it. Because I love writing. I love sharing. Even this post, which isn't upbeat, has been a joy to write. It took me three tries to get the right starting point and format, but that doesn't bother me. That is why I love writing - you spend your time figuring out how to present the heart of what you want to communicate. 

So, for any of you who still read my blog, thank you. And I hope you enjoy my return to this world. I can't promise you that you will see a lot of nicely staged photos where the lighting is perfect, but you will see photos of my home and life that capture how I love to bring beauty into my world. I can't promise you I will be a faithful blogger because the internet isn't my life. I also can't promise what my writing/publishing will look like because I don't even know. 

Can I ask a favor of you now? Would you pray for me? I have a lot of decisions and I want to honor Jesus with each one. I also want to honor the trust and time readers have put into me. 

Lastly, to each of you who read to the end, thank you. I don't think I say often enough how much it means to me each time someone chooses to spend their time reading a post or book I've written instead of watching a video. Thank you!