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Me & Writing?! Oh, We’re on a Break

6/13/2025

3 Comments

 

Paused between takes. The story’s still unfolding.

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What began as a therapeutic and creative outlet slowly turned into a source of pressure. Writing—once my safe space—became another item on my to-do list, tangled in deadlines, algorithms, and constant promotion. The joy faded, and burnout crept in.

I’ve loved writing since I was a child. I started because I wanted to share pieces of my life through fictional stories—stories with meaning, heart, and a twist. But as I grew, certain topics no longer resonated with me. I wasn’t ashamed of what I’d written before, but I wasn’t in that place anymore. The ideas stopped flowing, and I didn’t know what to write next. That in-between space—between who I was and who I was becoming—was uncomfortable, confusing, and creatively paralyzing.

So, I stepped away.
A break to shake off the pressure.
A break to rediscover the joy.
A break to live.
A break to figure out where my writing journey is truly headed.
 
How Did I Get to that Point?

At first, handling the business side of writing felt exciting. I knew how to promote my books, ride the wave of trends, and build content across platforms. I had momentum—speeding full steam ahead.

But doing everything right didn’t guarantee the success I had pictured. Slowly, that drive began to fade. Writing didn’t feel like a creative outlet anymore—it felt like a job. And not the kind you wake up excited to do. Writer’s block set in and I felt that I lost the drive, the will, and the overall talent I used to become a self-published author.

I found myself in a creative drought, stuck in the ebb, unable to reach the flow. I wanted to do anything but write.
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The Break

Eventually, I shut my laptop and gave myself permission to rest. Real rest.
Not productivity-masked-as-rest.

I tapped into things I hadn’t made time for in years. I remembered how I came up in the “Team No Sleep” era—where hustle was glorified, and rest was weakness. But the true inspiration for my writing? Life. Real moments. Quiet moments. Not constant output.
One month turned into three… then six… then nine.

Still nothing. No new stories. Just a growing list of hobbies and reasons to not return:
  • My career in Web Production is too demanding.
  • Maybe if I buy a new laptop, I’ll feel inspired.
  • Maybe I’ve already said all I needed to say.
  • I should focus on promoting what’s already out.

But eventually, restlessness crept in. That part of me that once thrived off momentum started nudging again. So, I tried—picked up old drafts, started editing—but it felt off. My heart wasn’t in it. I wasn’t in the same space I was when I wrote about heartbreak a decade ago.

I wanted more. More genres. More truth. More growth.

The Growth Part

I let those old stories sit.
Maybe I’ll return to them—maybe not. And that’s okay.

I started thinking about what I love to read: horror, self-help, true stories of resilience. Why couldn’t those stories be part of my portfolio?
​

I explored what it would take to write compelling narratives in those genres and quickly realized—I’m not ready to jump back into late-night writing sessions. And that’s okay too.

I reminded myself: I chose self-publishing for the freedom. Yet, I’d been depriving myself of that very thing.

So, I went back to resting. Unapologetically.
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Where Am I Now? Less Pressure More Freedom

These days, I’m rebuilding. Slowly. Intentionally. I’m allowing myself to wander creatively without pressure. I read articles for a few minutes, then switch gears. I journal when I feel inspired, but I don’t force it. I’m learning not to burn out the spark before it becomes a flame.

I no longer carry the weight of needing to produce just to keep up. I don’t panic if I don’t have everything figured out in one night. Because I’ve realized—I don’t have to. I don’t need to release a book every year. I don’t need to race anyone to the finish line.
 
This break? It was necessary.
I needed space to grow. To breathe. To celebrate how far I’ve come.

I had unknowingly boxed myself in: write…release, write…release.
Now? I’m still on the journey. But I’m setting the pace this time.

These quiet moments matter.
They’re where I reconnect, reflect, and remember why I started in the first place.
To tell stories.

From a place of experience and creativity, not pressure.

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The Blakk Dahlia

The Blakk Dahlia (E. Alexcina Brown) is a New York City author/blogger from Macon, GA. Recently, she released the book series, the Heartbreak Diaries outlining different perspectives of heartbreak. The Dahlia Diaries is a lifestyle blog penned by The Blakk Dahlia, sharing her story in NYC along with life lessons and tips she's learned in her journey.Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

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Did You Leave A Review?

5/22/2025

1 Comment

 
I've personally received great feedback on the Heartbreak Diaries Series. Every purchase, read, and kind words are greatly appreciated.

Reviews Matter!
Indie authors need reviews/ratings to stay competitive. Reviews help boost the credibility of a self-published author while sharing your thoughts/views on their work!

Loved a book from the Heartbreak Diaries Series? Speak on it!

Visit your favorite retailers to leave a review or click stars to rate!

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Apple Books | Kobo
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About the Heartbreak Diaries

the Heartbreak Diaries is a romance-suspense series with stories told from the heart’s perspective. The fiction series tackles how one’s heart approaches dating, relationships, marriage, and even "situationships" within the mind frame of living in the past, or concerns about the future.

What's unique about this series is that it dives into these heart types from a real and vulnerable place. Each book has a "dear diary" moment from an integral character, displaying their true intentions within the story.

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The Blakk Dahlia (E. Alexcina Brown) is a New York City author/blogger from Macon, GA. Recently, she released the book series, the Heartbreak Diaries outlining different perspectives of heartbreak. The Dahlia Diaries is a lifestyle blog penned by The Blakk Dahlia, sharing her story in NYC along with life lessons and tips she's learned in her journey.

1 Comment

Inspired for the “Start”

1/23/2025

2 Comments

 
Women sitting in the dark with a laptop
Making plans and putting forth the effort can be miles apart. The first step can be difficult for some as many don’t know where to begin or what to do first. According to the "society of social media", starting means immediately pounding the pavement with action. In some cases, getting started entails getting motivated and inspired while creating a plan of action. Even seeking these can be beneficial and a step towards “making it happen”. For 2025, I decided to start with getting the motivation back as previous years have drained my energy and drive to go forth with the next big thing.

The beginning stages are crucial moments because that’s when doubt and negativity creep in. Daily habits of waking up and “getting to it” can change as time goes on because of the constant “what ifs”. Surrounding the goal with inspiration can help one stick to the plan no matter how hard it is to get a foot off the ground.

If your “start” isn’t pushing out immediate action, don’t worry! Look at these tips below to learn how you can get the necessary tools to be motivated for the start. 
Get an “idea” of how to begin or where you want to start
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It all starts with an idea. Keep a notepad (or use the phone app), to jot down ideas and creative flows that come to mind. Take pictures of inspirational nuggets and allow those details to come together to create something of your own.
Panel discussion
Seek out experts

Many experts are waiting to give their inspiration and tips to help beginners. Take advantage of the wealth of knowledge they have to offer by tuning into their success stories, failures, and advice on how to navigate.

Search for discussion panels and workshops within your field. (In most cases, they hold these events/discussions for FREE!) Using sites like Eventbrite is a good tool for finding these engagements and events. A simple word/phrase can spark something within you to hit the ground running.
Black women with laptops in a meeting
Talk with friends/colleagues
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There’s nothing like a great support system to help you get motivated and STAY motivated. Bounce ideas off them and get their honest feedback. This can serve in one or two ways; gain business advice (if they are savvy in that field) and views from a consumer’s perspective. Be open but be sure to share with those who are trustworthy and are going to lift you.
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In today’s world, we’re dealing with burnout, personal, and professional problems on top of creating and achieving dreams. That combination can make it hard to stay focused on entering a new venture that can be lucrative in the future. Don’t miss out because life is “lifing”. Start by getting that inspiration you need to guide you into action!
The Blakk Dahlia author logo

Author

The Blakk Dahlia (E. Alexcina Brown) is a New York City author/blogger from Macon, GA. Recently, she released the book series, the Heartbreak Diaries outlining different perspectives of heartbreak. The Dahlia Diaries is a lifestyle blog penned by The Blakk Dahlia, sharing her story in NYC along with life lessons and tips she's learned in her journey.

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Motivated in Vegas - Women in Tech

1/14/2025

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This past week, I had the GREAT opportunity to attend the SHE Speaks CES 2025 - Women in Tech panel/mixer in Las Vegas. The panel discussion was a BIG motivational event to inspire women in this field to strive harder in creative works and entrepreneurship. Hearing from those who have "been there/done" while giving the REAL in their journeys was so inspiring and gave me the boost needed to move forward in the next chapter in my own business and creative endeavors. ​
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A few key takeaways:
  • Don't allow social media "success" to discourage you. We all have our own journeys.
  • Pitch yourself. Even if you think you won't get it, submit it anyway
  • Ask for feedback. Get the tools you need to improve/rework your pitch for the next one.
  • Self-care isn't all about pampering. It also entails, advocating for yourself and being comfortable saying "No".
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We all need those moments where we are reminded and/or motivated by individuals in the same boat as you who have overcome obstacles as well as currently driving through!
The blakk dahlia author logo

The Blakk Dahlia (E. Alexcina Brown) is a New York City author/blogger from Macon, GA. Recently, she released the book series, the Heartbreak Diaries outlining different perspectives of heartbreak. The Dahlia Diaries is a lifestyle blog penned by The Blakk Dahlia, sharing her story in NYC along with life lessons and tips she's learned in her journey.

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4 Ways to Refresh Your Self-Published Book

5/13/2024

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Keep it in Rotation

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The excitement surrounding a book release tends to die down after it has been on the market for a while. Book launch activities are complete, and initial sales and reviews are in. But the buzz around the book shouldn't fade because it is no longer a new release. Some authors take a break or start on another project not related to the book. More than most find themselves at a standstill asking: “What’s next?”
​

The opportunity to gain new readers/followers for books and authors is endless. Take advantage of that when the hype around the book has died down. In addition, creating new and engaging promos for the book catches the attention of book lovers who may have missed the initial release.

Many self-published authors are solely responsible for marketing/promoting their book(s). Fortunately, through the gift of social media, there are opportunities to gain a new buzz and new readers. Here are tips on refreshing the excitement about your book for yourself and your readers:


I. Revisit and revamp book promotion content. How consumers receive and engage with content tends to change with new trends and styles of marketing products. Updating book blurbs and promotional text for social media and websites can help grab the attention of old and new readers.
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To do this, review previous promos and check the engagement from followers and book lovers. Use that as a guide to find keywords/phrases that received the most clicks, comments, and likes. In addition, look at the latest trends and searches on social media. Create a way for it to correlate with the book. Lastly, find new book excerpts to highlight, giving a fresh sneak peek to kick off a new promotion.
II. Get some press. Media buzz opens your book to a range of potential buyers. Luckily, media features and interviews aren't only for a book launch. Follow up with previous media outlets and show how well the book has gained traction post-launch. Talk more about the response from readers to the book, highlighting the post-release excitement.

The pandemic birthed a big wave of podcasters and bloggers. Find ones that highlight books, entrepreneurs, creatives, etc. Pitch your book/story when inquiring about being featured. If the book has been out for quite some time, include reviews and positive responses. Find an angle that makes the book stand out enough to be featured: What are the readers saying? What conversations does the book initiate? How is this book helpful in the current times?
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III. Take candid pictures. Consumers have become more visual with the booming rise of apps like Instagram and TikTok. Posting your book consistently on social media timelines is a reminder that this body of work is available. Social media has become the primary source for the general public to learn about products and services. Even though the release date has passed, a new wave of supporters is only a post away.

Feature yourself and your book on social media outlets. Ignite the fun of your work by showing candids with your book OR placement in random setups/decor. Ask a friend or family member to take a selfie/picture with your book to show more people are happy with your work.

IV. Book Giveaway. Everybody loves a freebie! Push the buzz about your book and get readers excited by hosting a book giveaway. New book lovers will sign up and get more details with the hope of winning a good read.

The promotions surrounding the giveaway expand followers and subscribers. Include fresh content and add a few extras to enhance the chance of people signing up. (i.e. Character breakdowns, book quotes, etc.) Even if they don't win, there is still a chance they will learn more about the book and purchase it anyway.
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Sitting in the "post-launch" season isn't a place where books go to rest forever. There are so many new people to reach. Don’t allow them to miss out on your book. Keep it in rotation!
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The Blakk Dahlia (E. Alexcina Brown) is a New York City author/blogger from Macon, GA. Recently, she released the book series, the Heartbreak Diaries outlining different perspectives of heartbreak. The Dahlia Diaries is a lifestyle blog penned by The Blakk Dahlia, sharing her story in NYC along with life lessons and tips she's learned in her journey.Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

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    Author and lifestyle blogger, The blakk dahlia (e. alexcina brown)
    "I LOVE to write and create. These are the diaries of how I work and deal in my world of writing and LIFE!" 
    - The Blakk Dahlia
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