It’s that time again. Seven months to book launch and the jitters begin. Have I done all I can? Have I reached out to every podcaster, book reviewer, and magazine editor I know? The second guessing could drive me to drink (if I still did). Instead, I swim laps and pop chocolate chips into my mouth.
It’s also the time when the articles and Q&As I have promised are due, which brings up the question…
Why is it so damn hard to write about my work?
Seriously, folks. I mean, I spent a year of my life researching paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys), ranching, cattle, the Big Island, Pu‘u Koholā Heiau, the duties of their rangers, King Kamehameha I, the current challenges facing Hawai‘i’s beef industry, and every other detail imaginable that I’d need to write HAWAI‘I RAGE. I should be an expert. Yet once the book is locked, the information flies out of my head.
A similar phenomenon used to happen when finished or left a show. No matter how long I had performed, the choreography, dialogue, and/or lyrics hightailed it out of my mind to make room for the new materials I needed to learn. I have former Broadway dancer friends who can still remember choreography they danced decades ago. Meanwhile, I have reoccurring nightmares—that plague me whenever I’m swamped and feeling unprepared—about being on stage for CATS and not remembering a single damn step!
Which brings me back to this blog. How can it be so difficult to write about what we know?
The first two sets of interview questions took me two weeks to write. TWO WEEKS. I mean, what the hell? These were straight forward questions that every author is asked and that I could have answered on the spot in any podcast or videocast I was on. And yet, putting these answers into efficient sentences that wouldn’t take too much visual space on a page screeched me to a stop.
That good ole perfectionism bug bit me again.
It felt as if this would be my only opportunity in life to share every aspiration, revelation, knowledge, and thought related to the upcoming book that I desperately want people to buy, read, and adore. The pressure was too much. Every word, sentence, and paragraph became too precious to write.
But I did what authors do: I soldiered on and finished the job.
And you know what? It was one of the best Q&A interviews I’ve ever written. LOL! [You can decide for yourself when it comes out in Jeff Ayer’s column in The Real Book Spy in April or May.] More importantly for my mental health, it helped me break through the perfectionism when writing about myself and my work.
I was shocked when I returned to the first Q&A that I had abandoned and cranked out the answers with ease. It was actually kind of fun. So I tried my hand at an essay about celebrating Hawaiian cowboys and the words flowed just as well. Before I knew it, I had finished four more pieces that I’ll be able to share during my book launch.
What changed?
After finishing that first intimidating interview, I realized there would be more. A lot more. And with each interview, essay, and guest post, I could expand further, change direction, or address something new. The vast number of book launch writing assignments that had felt so overwhelming before, now had the opposite effect. Because there were so many, none of them needed to contain everything there was to say. After all, the best way to know what’s in my heart and soul or how I feel about HAWAI‘I RAGE, is to read or listen to the book.
Words were flowing, and I was having fun. I was on such a roll that I took a short break from my novel-in-progress to ride the momentum and tackle more of my book launch tasks. My energy has been over-charged ever since. (And if you know me personally, you know that’s saying a lot!)
Although I usually resent the ancillary assignments that pull me from my novel-in-progress, I believe the ease with which I’ve been writing these essays, answers, and posts will continue when I return.
Striving for excellence leads to growth and notable works only if the quest for that excellence doesn’t take over and inhibit our voice. Rather than stopping my creative momentum, I expect this breakthrough will free up my words.
Note: This post flowed out of me in record time.
PS: I would really, really, REALLY love it if you pre-ordered HAWAI‘I RAGE. 😉🌺🙏🏽
I had another fantastic experience narrating my own audiobook for HAWAI‘I RAGE. Once again, Brilliance Audio put me in the fabulous Digital One Studios in Portland with Jennifer Aquino directing virtually from Los Angeles and Josh Millman editing from the control room. As with my narration for KAUA‘I STORM—on sale at Audible right now for only $4.32!!!—I had well over fifty characters to voice. And since I had been a professional actor in theater, television, and film, I embodied each and every one.
If you’re reading this post on or close to April 1, 2026, you’ll be able to pre-order the HAWAI‘I RAGE audiobook at Audible for only $7.28. I believe the sale lasts through April 7th. I’d love you to pieces if you grabbed both of my audiobooks today. 🥰
Here’s a fun video I shot on my final day of book narration.
Right now I’m listening to Viola Davis narrate JUDGE STONE, her debut novel she co-wrote with James Patterson. I was utterly enthralled with her memoir, FINDING ME, also narrated by her, so I jumped on the NetGalley offer to listen to her riveting courtroom drama.
I also enjoyed listening to Danielle Girard’s newest domestic thriller, PINKY SWEAR and Reese Witherspoon’s debut thriller with Harlan Coben, GONE BEFORE GOODBYE, Alice Feeney with SOMETIMES I LIE, and Taylor Jenkins Reid’s ONE TRUE LOVE. [I gushed about Taylor’s books in the past, so I’ll control myself today.]
I heartily recommend all of these audiobooks.
Since I’ve had less time to actually sit down and read, I only have two books to add. But they are both fantastic and worth checking out! BEHIND THESE FOUR WALLS by Yasmin Angoe and BLADE by Wendy Walker. Happy reading, my friends.
That’s all for now. I’ll leave you with this cheery photo from my book research trip and horseback ride at Na‘alapa Stables on Kahua Ranch, Hawai‘i Island.
I was honored beyond measure to speak for over an hour with Hawai‘i Senator Tim Richards, who is also the owner of Kahua Ranch. He graciously shared his memories, experiences, and thoughts about the current state of Hawai‘i’s beef industry. Speaking with him and also riding on his ‘ohana’s ‘āina nui—his family’s abundant land—made a great impression on me. In my fictional HAWAI‘I RAGE world, my Hiapo Ranch would border his own.
I wish I could be in Waimea right now!
Sending you all warm wishes from Portland Oregon,
Tori 🌺
PS: You find more photos from my research trip on my HAWAI‘I RAGE Book Club Page.
PPS: Senator Richards sent me a lovely thank you letter after I sent him an ARC.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.