Writing

• Revise and query After Wendy
• Get Annwyn's world and magic system into a workable state
• Start drafting the horror/mystery collaboration, title TBA
• Finish one manuscript
• Write every day

Career

• Finish all client edits by February 29
• Seek out agency internships

Reading

• Read 12 books for fun
• Read at least 24 books total, including ARCs, research, and work-related titles
• Put together buddy reads

Lifestyle

• Say "no" more
• Set boundaries
• Spend more time with the people I love
• Remove people from my life who either don't appreciate me or no longer bring me joy
• Treat myself to small adventures every two weeks
• Go on a date once a month
• Workout five times a week
• Reset my diet, paying particular attention to macros
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Minimize social media time
• Explore new music
• Go on more spur-of-the-moment adventures

Quick Recap

It's been a roller coaster of a year, but I have plenty to be thankful for and a hell of a lot to look back on. It's been a reflective year full of changes. While I didn't fulfill my writing goals, I grew a lot and found that I'm done catering to other people. This year was spent ruminating on the past, looking toward the future, being transparent and open, refusing to compromise who I am for someone else's comfort, and determining who and what is truly worthy of my time.

This year, I tackled a lot of trauma and self-doubt. I changed career paths (from editing to pursuing an internship at a literary agency). I said "no" more often, putting my needs above my desire to be liked and respected by those who hardly show gratitude for all I do. I also happened upon my best friend in a critique group. 2023 was a solid year—the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another. I couldn't end on a better note, really.

Favorites of 2023

Reads published in 2023: Wild Spaces by S.L. Coney and Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee

Read published before 2023: City Song by Oliver Blakemore

Indie read: Beyond the Bounds of Time by J.P. McDonald

Yet-to-be-released read: Eldritch Punks by Oliver Blakemore

TV drama: The Queen's Gambit

TV crime/thriller: Inside Man

Teen series: Heartstopper

TV comedy: The Office

Rewatches: The OA and Peep Show

Teen-centric movie: Metal Lords

R-rated movie: Nope

TV Special: A Whole Lifetime

Most played artist on Spotify: The Story So Far

This month has been interesting. After pushing off Annwyn's first draft, I've focused my creative efforts on smaller works of fiction. I'm currently writing a climate-focused story for an upcoming anthology and will move onto a piece about a clairvoyant soon after.

In April, I plan on revising and adding to After Wendy, polishing my short story, working on Annwyn's cultures, and outlining a vampire apocalypse novel.

Favorite read: Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh

Favorite listen: The Publishing Rodeo Podcast

April TBR:

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini

Fractal Noise (ARC) by Christopher Paolini

Witch King (ARC) by Martha Wells

Looking Glass Sound (ARC) by Catriona Ward

Schrader's Chord (ARC) by Scott Leeds

A brief look at 2022's high and low points

This year has been full of highs and lows. I published my first novel, Lipstick Covered Magnet, and finished my sophomore title, After Wendy. I have been an ARC reviewer over the past year and have loved getting to read books before they hit the market. I've also relaunched my editing side gig, and it's nice to feel important and vital to another author's process.

But the querying process and self-publishing journey haven't been peachy. As I query again, I'm confronted with the rejection or silence from agents and the brick wall that rests between me and traditional publishing. "The market is already full of retellings," I was told. But I don't intend to give up without a fight. If it turns out that my Peter Pan sequel falls into a drawer, due to poor timing, I'm fine with that.

After this year's struggles with self-marketing, social media engagement, and the stress of constant promotion, I've decided to wait it out, until a novel of mine finally breaks through. Despite the anxiety and monetary strain that going indie with LCM brought, I'm happy I tried doing it on my own. At least now I know it isn't for me.

Favorites of 2022

Read published in 2022: The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean

Read published before 2022: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

Indie read: Traces by Sophie Johannis

Yet-to-be-released read: Maeve Fly by CJ Leede

Publisher: Tor

American TV show: Stranger Things 4

International TV show: 1899

Rewatch: The OA

Family movie: Pinocchio

R-rated movie: Barbarian

Album: Decide by Djo

Writing-related gadget: Alphasmart typewriter

November has been a bit of a roller coaster. I began the month participating in NaNoWriMo and ended it with two rambunctious children in the house begging for my attention. Needless to say, I didn't get much writing in once Thanksgiving (and my son's birthday) rolled around. But I did have a wonderful reading/Q+A at my alma mater, UCCS, and it was fabulous.

While I didn't make the 50,000-word goal, I wrote 28,000 words of The Many Doors of Annwyn before realizing the writing was good but the plot wasn't moving forward. I'll be spending two weeks to a month outlining my trilogy and worldbuilding before I start writing again.

In December, I'll be outlining, pulling together a query list, and blue skying (or brainstorming) my sci-fi TV series idea.

December TBR:

Dual Memory by Sue Burke (Tor ARC)

The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz (Tor ARC)

The Shape of Darkness by Laura Purcell

Wild Massive by Scotto Moore (Tor ARC)

Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

After Wendy is officially in the query trenches! I sent my first letter today and will update you monthly (unless I receive good news before then).

I'm currently outlining my fantasy series about Merlin's adventures outside of Camelot. It will feature doorways into other planes of existence, magic, the last living dragon, and rips in reality. The first draft will commence on Monday.

I have also been tossing around ideas for a heady sci-fi short story that I intend to build into a TV pilot. I'm still working out the finer details, but it should give off The OA vibes.

My Spooky TBR for October:

Lute by Jennifer Thorne (ARC)

Little Eve by Catriona Ward (Paperback ARC)

The Binding by Bridget Collins

Bone China by Laura Purcell

The Coffin Path by Katherine Clements