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 at all of the people who showed up for me—I mean they even toasted me, with champs! And they kept bringing me gifts! I was showered with flowers and more champagne and cups and journals and chocolate and…well, let’s just say if I had known writing a book would feel like my birthday, I would’ve finished Sketch years ago! ;-)

This coming Sunday is my public launch hosted by my dearest friend and apparent book manager, Kristen. We’ve reached out to local communities, libraries, bookstores, and news outlets, as well as everyone I’ve ever met, so hopefully we’ll get a good turnout! (If you are reading this, you’re invited!)

I also spent some time this past weekend reaching out to local bookstores about consigning my book with them, and although I honestly wasn’t expecting much, I’ve been approved to consign at one, have been invited to apply to consign at another, a third invited me to schedule a book signing day in late March where I’ll set up a table outside of the shop for a few hours (in a busy marketplace), and a fourth has invited me to apply to take part in a similar event at their shop later in the spring—all of them responding in less than 24 hours. It’s funny what can happen when you actually show up for yourself.

I’ve remained steadfast in my promise to myself to read more this year. I’ve already finished two books. First was Maeve Binchy’s Tara Road (in full transparency, I started this one early in 2025 and got about a third of the way through when my reading slump hit, but I finally dove back in and thoroughly enjoyed it!). The other one was by another Irish author who was new to me, Tana French, and the book was called The Likeness. I would describe her writing style/the genre as a less gory Irish version of Karin Slaughter (a very different read from Tara Road). I gave both books a 4 out of 5 and will definitely read others by both authors.

I’m currently reading A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. Fantasy is not usually a go-to genre for me, but I’m also forcing myself to read outside of my comfort zone. I’m about 20% through and really enjoying it so far!

I am also reading (audio) Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt, a recommendation by Cheryl Strayed (author of Wild and Tiny Beautiful Things) from her recent Substack post, and the book is just heartbreaking and beautifully written. The audio narration makes it even more impactful. I’m about halfway through it and know I will be blue when it’s over. It’s the kind of prose that makes me want to be a better writer.

On the actual writing front, I am actively writing two books at once. One, Heart Sounds, may end up as more of a novella, but started as a short story and keeps getting bigger (if you are already a subscriber, you may be familiar with it. I am publishing a new chapter of Heart Sounds each Friday here on my Substack). Another also started as a short story, and now I know it will be a full-fledged novel: book 2 of the Sketch trilogy called Bloodlines.

I am about a tenth of the way through both works and am somehow dropping into the psyche of both protagonists on and off throughout my day. It makes me feel like I understand people who can speak and think in multiple languages at once.

I feel a sense of exhilaration at all of this active writing energy happening for me right now. I’m not complaining, that’s for sure. I’m doing my best to lean into it and embrace it.

No matter what happens in the future with Sketch and my writing career, I know these are the early days of all of it that I will look back on with wonder at the crazy beauty of it all.

Wishing you a winter full of crazy beautiful moments. If one finds you, tell me about it. We could all use a little more beauty in our lives. :-)