Good Things Are Coming!
Its been a minute since I’ve shared a story (a little over 2 months I think 😬), but I’ve not forgotten this cozy corner of the internet!
The unfortunate part about being a writer is we don’t tend to share our work until it’s ready for public consumption. I mean, c'mon, who would want to read a trash version that won’t even exist by the end of the project? Not to mention, our work is strictly done in black and white; it’s not as eye-catching as our fellow fine art friends.
I’ve been spending an absurd amount of time at my desk, writing for as long as the literary Gods deem me worthy; as such, about 50% of that time is actually writing and the other 50% is staring at a blank computer screen.
While I haven’t been posting much on social media, there are a handful of projects that I’ve been working on and I can’t wait to share them! In the meantime, I hope this little update gives you something to look forward to.
A Sneak Peek of Each Project…
1. Haunted Horrors Book
Since I was a child, horror and creepy things have always been my favorite. I watched movies like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Pan’s Labyrinth, and Lady In The Water. Their stories were different and definitely not for the general audience.
This year I’m putting together a collection of short stories focused on horror, mystery and all things creepy. If I’m lucky, I’ll be finished by the end of 2025 - but I’d rather be done writing in the next 6 months. Perhaps, making it just in time for the Samhain season. My goal with this book is to celebrate the genre that inspired me to tell my own stories, no matter how unusual they may be.
The collection will include somewhere between 10 to 20 short stories, depending on their length. And (hopefully) there will be full-page artwork to accompany the beginning of each story. Unfortunately I don’t know my way with a paintbrush, so I’m excited to collaborate with an artist on that aspect of the book. (& if you know any artists who enjoy horror, send them my way!)
Here’s a snapshot of two drafts currently in progress. Don’t mind the titles because they’ll most likely change by the end of the project, but I needed placeholders until the story finally reveals its name.
STORY #1: "The Oracle's Curse" is going to be a story that delves into a dark secret long forgotten. Until a few friends walking through the forest decide to investigate a questionable archeological dig site. We'll see how well that turns out.
Here's a hint: for one of them it doesn't.
STORY #2: "Through the Blood-Red Mirror" is a psychological thriller with 'out of all the people it had to be me?' vibes. This short story follows a young woman who just wanted to start over with a new life. Unfortunately, she decided to visit a strange antique shop and bought the one item that may or may not be cursed.
2. The Continuation of ‘The Secrets We Keep’
I’ve been working on the next installment for the current serialized story. When I first started writing The Secrets We Keep (TSWK), I didn't realize how long it was going to be. Honestly I originally created it as a short story with the intention of keeping it about 2,500 words at most. Now, here I am sitting at roughly 3,900 words and I'm just scratching the surface of all that I want to tell in this budding storyline.
Chapter Four is going to be a very long chapter compared to prior chapters released. This one propels the story forward in its main goal of escaping the Death God and the blood oaths. With the help of their friend Mikka, that just might be possible - but you'll have to read the story to find out! If you’re ready to embrace an adventure that dives into life’s hidden truths and unspoken darkness, this story will resonate with you.
I'm also working on origin stories for the characters, giving you an insight to how they individually ended up in this situation. These are separate from the main storyline - feel free to read them before, after, or between chapters.
Seraphina's story has already been introduced, but I’m especially excited to reveal Roman’s Deal and get into his complicated backstory, considering what happened in the last chapter.
3. A Novel in the Works
This part will probably have more questions than answers.
But I have yet to meet a writer that doesn't have a book they've been wanting to write for years. A passion project - if you will. And I just happen to have an eternal determination and the patience of a saint. Even if it takes me another twenty years, I’m going to publish it.
This story, titled “The Gatekeeper”, requires a MASSIVE amount of world-building due to the fact that it involves portals and multiple worlds. While I work on it, I'm also having to teach myself patience. Worldbuilding can wait; it can be done as I create my story. Without writing a draft to move forward, the novel will never exist.
Pacemaker is such a helpful tool for a project this big. I've been using it almost every day to make sure I have all my words written by a certain timeframe. It gives me that extra push to get it done.
Here's a peek at my current month outlook:
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Looking Ahead in 2025
As I look toward this year, I’m excited to share all the stories that fill my head. Not only that, but I hope it inspires other people to get in touch with their own creative side.
Storytelling feels like a dying art in an age of terrible remakes and questionable choices. There's hardly anything new that comes on TV or the big screen that demands attention; and when it does, the Big Companies cancel it for some ungodly reason (I’m still not over the unexpected cancellation of The Peripheral, Amazon). My goal is to do my part in creating incredible stories that you can’t get enough of.
I’m working on making more of a structured schedule to follow in this new year - which is something I’ve lacked in the early stages of Haus Reverie. I’ve finally found a balance between my day job and writing.
Let me know in the comments below, what you’re most excited to read!
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