Another Ending
Another Beginning
I enjoy looking back at the year that has passed… Well, maybe not “enjoy”. I think it’s important to look at your past, whether a year has gone by or more. The desire for self-reflection is what has given birth to my enjoyment of the “wrapped” part of apps or year-in-review questionnaires. I was doing this before Spotify. Back when I blogged about books, I would answer a questionnaire created by a book blogger that looked back at my year of reading. I would pick favourites based on the questions the bloggers asked.
I later discovered Goodreads’ “Year in Books”. Spotify has “Wrapped”. I joined StoryGraph and they not only give yearly stats, but they do it monthly as well! I find my personal reading trends interesting. Is it mood-related? Is it related to what I’m writing? Though the one I might look forward to the most is from my yoga studio. How many classes did I got to? Who were my top instructors? How do these things change from year to year? How have I changed?
I’ve said many times that I don’t do resolutions. It has only led to pressure and disappointment. But I will think about what I want for my future and for my children’s future.
Though no matter what I do, I feel like my children’s future is uncertain, no matter how much planning my partner and I do. What will the Earth be like in 20 years? This year has been another record hot one. Will we be at war? Who will it be with? A long time “ally”? World War III seems more and more of a possibility. Where will A.I. take us? Will newsletters/posts like this even matter? Is it pointless to keep writing? It’s all very depressing.
Let’s make more art. For our sake.
This got way deeper than I meant. Seems to happen a lot these days.
So, what will I be doing in 2026?
I’m going to do another round of querying. A writer/book-coach-in-training friend of mine read over my synopsis and query letter for my gothic novel. I’m going to be revising those. I’ll also be making an effort to publish my sci-fi novella. Novella’s aren’t really desired by agents. But I have written one, and I love it. There are already notes for sequels. I LOVE these characters, and they have stories to tell.
I will also be working on my latest novel. I wasn’t sure if I loved the story when I decided it would be my next big project, but I love it now. The characters have dived deep into my heart. They live there now.
What are your new year plans? How did your old year end?
What I’ve Been Reading:
Kind Spirits, by B.K. Borison
So This Is Christmas, by Jenny Holiday
The Ice Guy and Cool Girl #8, by Miyuki Tonogaya
The Apothecary Diaries #3 & #4, by Nekokurage
He Sees You While You’re Sleeping, by Alta Hensley
What I’ve Been Watching:
The Great Digital Circus
Helluva Boss
Star Trek: The Next Generation
What I’ve Been Listening To:
So many Christmas songs, especially Michael Bublé, Mariah Carey and Kelly Clarkson
HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, by Billie Eilish
Hozier, by Hozier
Learn about the land on which we reside:
The pictograms of your lists are so much fun :) I see that we both read "Assistant to the Villain" this year. Another writer-friend suggested the series to me and I had a blast reading the books. Can't wait for the next one to come out. I don't do personal book lists anymore. I used to use Goodreads, but then I realized that so many of the books I was reading were for beta's or editing purposes, that it wasn't a very accurate representation of what I'd actually read ;)
I do know, I've done a ton of reading for both escape and for research -- much of it crossing over - lol! I've fallen in love with cozy fantasy. As my new WIP sits for a bit before a final edit after betas, I find myself noodling around with cozy Christmas romance. I rarely write contemporary, and when I do it tends to be UF, not fiction. However, watching silly and heartwarming seasonal romances on TV got me in the mood, so I let myself "play" in a different way. It's been "spirit lifting."
This year has been a busy year both externally and internally. I find myself with less time to write (for various reasons... going back to grade 9 being one of the big ones, lol!), but I've become more aware of my own needs during a big cycle of change and personal illumination. I have a busy start to 2026 come January, but I'm working (as always) toward finding balance amidst the bustle; doing things for myself as well as others, and focusing on feeling less guilty about not being there for "everyone and everything."
Good luck with your queries <3
Happy New Year!