Pierce has been publishing for over 30 years, and her author brand has evolved while staying completely true to its core. This is the challenge every author faces when building their brand: How do you create something consistent enough that readers recognize you, but flexible enough to grow with your career?

After my last post about escaping the publishing grind, I received messages from authors asking the same question: "Okay, Lynn, I'm convinced the hustle culture is killing my creativity. But what's the alternative? How do I build a sustainable career without falling into the productivity trap?" The answer lies in what Tricia Hersey calls "trickster energy"—and it might just be the most powerful tool in your author arsenal.