Turning the Page on 2025

To say 2025 started off with a plot twist is a bit of an understatement. But when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade—and read! That’s been my January so far. Between diving into captivating stories and analyzing books and scripts for work, it’s been a whirlwind month.

On the writing front, I’m thrilled to share that we just went out on submission with a new YA Fantasy of mine! It’s a gender-swapped King Arthur retelling featuring a strong, independent female lead, a slow-burn romance, and, of course, dragons. Fingers crossed I’ll have more to share on this soon. I also have two other books still out on submission: an NA Romantasy and an Adult Urban Fantasy/Sci-fi blend.

Now, let’s dive into this month’s highlights for writers, readers, and screenwriters.

Setbacks are inevitable in any creative career, but how we handle them can shape our success. I shared HERE my journey to get to where I am, and along that journey was rejection, delays, unexpected changes, and negativity (both internally and externally) Here are three strategies I utilize to keep moving forward:

1. Rejection is Redirection: Every "no" is a step closer to the right "yes." Take feedback as a tool to refine your work and remind yourself that every author faces rejection—even the bestsellers.

2. Control the Controllable: Delays and circumstances out of your control can be frustrating. Focus on what you can control—polishing your craft, networking, or starting a new project.

3. Turn Criticism into a Compass: Negative feedback isn’t failure; it’s insight. Evaluate it objectively, use what resonates, and let the rest go.

Remember, setbacks aren’t the end of the story—they’re part of the plot.

Looking for your next great read? Here are my recommendations this month:

Currently Obsessed:

• The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen: A lush, enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance with political intrigue and captivating world-building.

• Quicksilver by Callie Hart: A dark and intense romance that delivers on every page.

Coming Soon:

• Blood Beneath the Snow by Alexandra Kennington (Release Date: March 11th): A heart-pounding romantasy following a rebellious princess who must compete to the death against her siblings for the crown to ensure justice, while fighting her feelings for her country's most powerful enemy.

• Never Run from an Immortal by Victoria J. Price (Release Date: March 15th): A steamy enemies-to-lovers, marriage of convenience romantasy between a Vampire Lord and a foul-mouthed thief.

Add these to your TBR list and prepare to be swept away.

Whether you’re a seasoned screenwriter or just starting out, reading scripts is one of the best ways to hone your craft. Here are two scripts I’ve recently read that I highly recommend (both scripts are adaptations of books/IP which has been my focus of late):

• TV Pilot: The Last of Us (HBO): A masterclass in adapting beloved source material, this script perfectly balances emotional depth with high-stakes action.

• Feature Film: Little Women (2019 Adaptation): Greta Gerwig’s brilliant adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel is a stunning example of how to breathe new life into timeless stories.

These scripts are available free online—and are must-reads for aspiring screenwriters (in my opinion)!

Whether you’re here for writing tips, book recs, or screenwriting inspiration, I’m so glad you stopped by! Here’s to turning a new page in 2025—together.