The past few weeks, I have been dealing with stress overload on a lot of fronts. I felt like . . . I was on the verge of dipping my toes back into Hell pretty much. Now, I’m not going to go into what was going on, but I will tell you what came out of this experience.

For the past few years, since I took on the pen name of Ariana Browning, I wanted to build a brand. Something big and bold, and that would help a lot of people change their lives. Or at least to inspire them to do so. I can’t say that I’ve failed at that, but the name has failed me and in that way, I have failed.

Taking chances and failing is always better than not even trying. I had high hopes when I changed my name that I published under because I’d learned so much and improved my writing so much, and I wanted a fresh start. My writing and editing skills had improved since then which is why I wanted that change, and why I took on Ariana Browning. I will not be completely cutting ties to that name because I will link it on Amazon/Smashwords/Others so if by chance someone searches it, they will still find the books. And some usernames online can’t be changed.

(I’m still putting out stories that I wrote years ago, and working on others, while writing new ones. My lineup of what is to come is extensive. I promise you, there are plenty more. 😉 )

Going through this experience has showed me what I do truly want, and love to do, which is to write. I have things crop of for me when I go through stress overload. I had that happen recently. It was a good thing though. It brought to light for me that I want to focus solely on my writing, and not trying to build this giant brand. Meh. Let someone else. I like to write, I love to chat with you because you love my work. I like my quiet boring life. To me it isn’t boring, but the way I live it, most would find it so. No, most do. I’ve been cut down by people my entire life for not wanting to go to parties, stay out late at night, run around meeting a gazillion new people every second. But the thing is? I did when I was a little girl. I HAVE done that and lived an amazing life, I don’t need that anymore. I can still help people, I just don’t have to do it in the limelight, I don’t have to kill myself to please others, I just have to live the life that makes me happiest.

I’m leaving Ariana Browning behind since she doesn’t fit the writing I like to do, who I am, and I’m taking on the name: Kim Iverson.

Why does that frighten me so? Well, for one, everyone knows me by that name. Also, I’m not one who likes massive amounts of attention, and I like my privacy. I’m reserved by nature. Privacy is almost an illusion in the digital age, but still, it’s a bit daunting to say the least. There are many little reasons and a few big ones that amount to: it scares me. At the same time, it feels right, and there has been a lot of stress I’ve been going through (my editor has heard the complaints – I adore her for handling it in stride) since I’ve been using Ariana Browning. I’m one of those people who think you either do something about the complaint, or stop complaining, so this experience has shown me: I need to do something. Period. Fear can’t hold me back. I receive plenty of hate in my real life, so it’s nothing I’m not used to.

So! I would love for you to join me on my new FAN page over on Facebook (can’t change the name on the old one) and I’ve already changed my Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIN, and Tumblr to the username: kimsiverson and the profile names to Kim Iverson, but you’ll see everything else change slowly. I’m doing it fast so that fear and doubt don’t stop me. Like a band-aid, I’m ripping it off.

I could use some support, encouragement, and whatever else ya got (like help sharing my new FB page? pretty pretty please? 🙂 ). This website address will change in time, but I’m waiting to make sure everyone notices the changes. In some ways it’s helpful because I wanted new Dark Illusions covers and this will force me to get it done.

If by chance, some of you don’t support the change, I completely understand, accept it, and wish you nothing but the best.

My book covers and everything else will slowly get updated and the links to purchase will also change, but you’ll be able to find them on my site as I do it.

This is a huge undertaking, but it feels right and I know I need to do this. I’m hoping to have everything done in the next two months. By the time Hope of the Future gets released from Amazon Select, which is July 5th, it would be even betta, yeah?