This is a new blog and a new year, so I won’t start it off by lying to you. I’ve been struggling. I’ve been sad. And while I’m fine, I’m also not fine. The best way I can describe it is being swept away. Like I’m strolling along the beach of my life, and just when I hit my stride I’m swept away by a immense, dense, wave of dark water that drowns me in my own skin. That’s what this depression is like. And it ebbs and flows like any tide.

But the stories are still here. The stories keep growing, changing, and pulling me back to the shore. The stories are what save me even when I feel like giving up. So, even though things are grim, I’m still writing.

The exhaustion makes it difficult to finish things. The anxiety makes it difficult to focus. The apathy makes it difficult to stay consistent. The hopelessness makes it difficult to see the point in writing at all. But I’m still trying. And on my worst days I’m still invigorated and excited by the idea of the stories I still have a chance to tell. So don’t count me out yet.

My best friend, author Areya Vee, got me a Cameo from actor Evan Williams for Christmas. Evan Williams is from the tv show Versailles, the recent LifeTime movie A Date by Christmas Eve and an episode in the recent season of Fuller House. He’s my celebrity crush and I could go on, but I won’t. Anyway, Evan gave me some truly inspirational advice on creativity, and part of that advice was this:

“…Just keep iterating, keep exploring, don’t get stuck on an island. Just show up. Just do the work everyday…”

And now that I’m reflecting on his words, I see how my beach can look a lot like an island. So I’m showing up even when it’s difficult. I’m doing the work even when I’m stuck in despair. I’m feeling my dark days. I’m listening to what’s coming up from inside myself. I know that there’s people out there who believe in me. Honestly, that makes all the difference.

Not every post will be this dreary. I have tons of projects planned for the year ahead. There’s a few short stories I’m working on (that weren’t finished by the new year like I planned) which I hope will be out soon. I also started a story for WattPad called Hell Bent which I’m writing as I go. It will be a serial story that I’ll update as often as possible.

Haven’s days are numbered. Literally.

Her soul is claimed by hell, but she doesn’t know why.

With only a week left until her trip downstairs, all she wants to do is make the most of it.

Until her Ex shows up.

As a hunter, Chase’s purpose is to take out evil. But Haven was his weakness. A soul he’s always wanted to save.

Then he’s given an order: Take Haven out before her claiming or be hunted down himself.

Now, they’ll need to track down the truth.

Or die trying.

So if you aren’t familiar with me or my work Hell Bent will be a great place for you to start. Or you could check out my short story “Playing with Magic” in Tomes, Tombs, and Time: An LGBT+ Science Fiction and Fantasy Anthology. It’s available in ebook or paperback and includes ten amazing short stories (not just mine.) But the anthology is a limited edition so you should pick it up soon!

Jade Fangio is a witch with a score to settle.

It doesn’t matter that the hunters have banned the practice of magick within her city. It’s their leader she’s after.

A mysterious group promises revolution. Freedom from the hunters. If she’s willing to do what it takes. But Jade has nothing left to lose.

The hunters are about to learn magick is nothing to play with.

And neither is she.

I’ll be posting at least once a week here, but I’m also going to be putting in work to my Patreon and Ko-Fi this year too. I hope you’ll keep reading my posts here on The Nocturnal Novelist and I hope you grow to love it as much as I do.

In the meantime, what are some questions you have about me or my work? How is the year treating you so far? Let me know in the comments below. 🖤