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Hello friend!

I’ve been in a weird place for the past six months. Finally publishing Sketch made me feel empowered. Like I could do anything I ever dreamed about. And one thing I dreamed about for years was becoming a therapist.

It was one of those things I told myself for so long would be too expensive, and then, as more time went on, I told myself I was too old. But then I started working for a university that offers a licensure-track program in Marriage and Family Therapy. Not only working...

Dearest Gentle Reader,

(Sorry for the Bridgerton salutation. I watched Queen Charlotte recently, and it just came naturally.)

You may have noticed it’s been a hot minute since I posted anything besides my weekly Heart Sounds chapters (if you're reading this post on my website, you can find those over on my substack). And if you’ve been following along with Nora’s story, thank you.

The truth is, now that the flurry of activity surrounding the launch is over, my well of motivation when it comes to...

It’s been a busy week at the writing desk, and it isn’t slowing down anytime soon!

My parents hosted a private book launch event for me this past Saturday. Friends and family came and celebrated the release of Sketch with me. A good time was had by all! I still struggle a little with so. much. attention. focused on me, but it’s also something I need to get used to if I want my—gulp—wildest dreams to come true.

There were a few moments during the event where I caught myself looking around in awe...

This post may feel a little repetitive. I know I’ve been using my blog as a way to process all the emotions swirling around this launch. What can I say? I’ve never launched a self-published anything before. It brings up feelings.

A little personal note: the past ten days or so have been rough. My poor little nervous system took a stumble as I tried to balance some health-anxiety garbage (if you know, you know), wrapping up (pun intended) the holidays by packing all of that festive joy away...

The past few days have been busy at the writing desk! Have I gotten any actual writing done on any current WIPs since Christmas Eve? No. Do I have any regrets about that? Also no. What did happen was a relaxed, fun, joyful holiday spent with family, followed by the pure excitement of my author copies arriving the day after Christmas (a full week earlier than anticipated).

Now, I thought everything felt real once I uploaded my final manuscript files for publication on December 8th—but holding...

I shared in my last post that I’ve been struggling with writer’s block over the past few weeks. I’m clawing my way out of that hole little by little, thanks to writing exercises, journaling, and consciously trying to let go of the need to find the perfect words. Rough drafts are rough for a reason, right?

I’ve also been reading more. In the final throes of finishing Sketch, I’d gotten out of the habit of reading for pleasure, instead spending all of my “free” time rereading my own work and...

I’ve been trying to write this week and… ugh. I currently have two works in progress that I’m genuinely excited about—like, I no longer need coffee excited—but I’m also struggling with both of them. It’s that version of writer’s block where the ideas are all there, knocking on the door, but my brain is under a dog-printed weighted blanket whispering, “not right now please.”Finishing Sketch was one of the most thrilling and fulfilling things I’ve ever done, but having it out there in the world...