Hi Friends and Family,

I hope summer has been treating you well! We escaped for a few days this week to Lake Arrowhead and spent some quality time with our little family amongst the trees, lake, and cute chipmunks. Last month, we received news that my husband will need to have a third brain surgery in August, so we escaped for a bit together and had so much fun swimming, exploring, fishing, and playing corn hole and card games, in addition to drawing and reading.

What’s your favorite activity to do on vacation?

You may have noticed that I didn't mention writing. I love to work on my books during time off, and in fact, I printed out the last 100 pages of my memoir to edit and brought a notebook for a few scenes I’m finishing up for Beneath the Starlight (the third book in my Scottish Stars series) along with an array of colorful pens and highlighters with me.

But you know what? I didn’t have time to write or edit. And I honestly only read for half an hour at the end of a long day. The reason is simple: my family needed me.

I was the early morning walker, planning scavenger hunts, while my husband napped; the water lifeguard and swimmer with my kids in the lake, while he watched in the shade with a smile and iPhone ready for pictures; the cook, creating healthy and flavorful meals in the cabin, while he spent quality time on the porch with the kids; the artist using those fun pens and markers with my daughter; and the momma snuggler in the center of the couch watching We Bought a Zoo and Minions beside my husband following a long afternoon in the sun.

I desperately wanted to write, but I didn’t have the energy or time. And that’s okay—my kids and husband had my undivided attention for four days.

Plus, breaks and fresh air aid in creativity, right?

*My kids and I walking the forest trail under towering pine trees to Orchard Bay at Lake Arrowhead.*

I told a work friend recently that I’d been struggling with finding the time to write.

Her answer: “Use AI!”

To say I was shocked would be an understatement. Shaking my head, I told her, “I can’t do that. It wouldn’t be my words.”

“Oh, but they would! You can copy your first or second book into the AI tool, add parameters for the third book and then ask AI to write it. Then, you just review and edit it.”

My jaw literally hung open.

I have never and will never use AI in my writing process. Writing is a part of me—like a closely knitted thread woven into the fabric of my very being. It’s a skill, a craft, and a love that takes time, creativity, and so much of myself.

Do I wish I could write faster? Yes.

Do I wish I could have more time to write? Yes.

Do I wish I had more energy to write? Yes.

But I won’t use AI.

What’s more, I realized something today. Near a year ago, we received life-changing news that my husband needed brain surgery. And six months later, we were told he needed a second one. This past year hasn’t been easy. And even with my deep faith, I’ve cried more times than I’d like to admit. I’ve gained weight from stress. I’ve had panic attacks. I’ve gotten on my knees and prayed. And I’ve broken down and gotten back up, while working a 40+ hour a week corporate job, taking care of my family, and squeezing in writing and marketing for my books when I can. But one thing I won’t do is give up or sacrifice my morals. I’ll keep writing and persevering, bringing more love into the world with every book.

I know there are a lot of things AI can do, but writing books is not one of them. I truly care what goes on each page and the characters and stories I create for you. So please know, the third book in my beautiful Scottish Stars Series is taking longer than expected, but I think it’s truly my favorite yet. I hope it’s yours, too.

*My author self working into the night.*

Thank you, dear reader, for being on this journey with me.

With love,

Dear Reader, I’m a Human Writing Love Stories, Not AI

Travel with Me