Welcome you to the 2025 version of my writing path. It has been full of twists and turns and sometimes feels as though I am going in circles. Still, 2024 had its own rewards. I had the pleasure of mentoring a very special young writer to help her fulfil her writing dreams and goals. It is an experience I won’t soon forget and I too learned much and benefitted from our writing time together. Unfortunately, her writing project was forced to an abrupt end due to a sudden health crisis, but I will forever be grateful for being brought into her fantasy and accepted in her world. What an honour! Mentoring, then, was the highlight of 2024 for me. BUT I also bravely sent another manuscript out into publishing world. I love the story and am feeling excited and positive about the possibilities with this one. My new WIP started to take the shape of a first draft although I’m still making some fairly major decisions with this project. I have changed the point of view character and am still waffling on some of the plot details for this one. Meanwhile, I’ve begun to outline a lighter story to work on simultaneously, Just for fun!
Thanks to Rachel Lynn Solomon for her inspiring title, Past Present Future, which I have stolen for kickstarting my new year goals. During the past few months I have given a lot of thought about where I want to go over the next few years and what I want to accomplish, Some of my goals have changed. The publishing industry has changed. The way I was going about my day-to-day was no longer working for me. Time to shift a few things around. Time for change. This year I’m viewing my writing goals through the lense of past experiences, present realities, and a new long-term plan for the future. It’s exciting! I’m approaching 2025 with some new routines and expectations and a plan to have a lot of fun with my writing. Yes, I want to publish. Of course I do. But this year, the focus is going to be on quantity, quantity, quantity for reading and writing and I can’t say it enough times, having a lot of fun!! I hope you’ll join me along the way. I may need reminders about that, haha!
Cozy Reading Corner
Of course, it would be mean of me to post these beautiful book covers without sharing anything about what’s inside. Past Present Future by Rachel Lynn Solomon is the highly requested sequel to her YA novel Today Tonight Tomorrow. As you might guess from the title, the first story takes place over a twenty-four hour period, most of which involves a competitive scavenger hunt across Seattle as part of a High School graduation event. Rowan and Neil, who have competed for top prize in all things academic and are arch enemies are each determined to take home top prize in the graduation game (Howl) as well. But a situation arises in which, out of desperation, they decide to team up and their hate melts into something a lot more friendly as they spend these final intense moments of High School together. Fast forward to the end of the summer, which they have spent together and Past Present Future finds our favourite main characters facing the challenge of a long distance romance as they each set out for different universities. Can their new relationship withstand the test of distance? Rowan and Neil each must face their own inner demons, determine what they really want out of life and more importantly, who they want to be? A lot of growing up happens during freshman year for our heroine and our hero and Solomon is an adept master at bringing her readers inside each of their personal journeys. We cheer for them as individuals, and we cheer for them as a couple. Both books were highly entertaining and well-crafted. If you haven’t read Today Tonight Tomorrow, I recommend starting with that. You’ll appreciate the depth and insight into the two main characters and it will make the sequel much more enjoyable. Rachel Solomon’s writing hits all the write notes in this coming of age duology.
January update
Reading Log of books completed:
- Past Present Future – Rachel Lynn Solomon YA
- Roommates Wanted – Lisa Jewel Adult
Currently reading: Nothing Like the Movies – Lynn Painter
Working on outline for RomCom
Writing first draft of Fiction novel.
I’ll let you know what resources I’m using and how progress is, well, progressing as I dive into my two writing projects. My goal is also to monitor and record my reading more closely and to reflect on how reading is impacting my writing process. This is, in fact, my open writer’s diary of my progress for 2025. Look for this to be far more fluid than a typical blog post with bits and pieces being added whenever necessary.
Happy reading and writing! I’d love to hear about your process and/or books you are reading or writing so feel free to leave a comment.