Back in the Saddle

Well, we made it! Another year down and another slew of memories for our own storied histories. Fancy dinners at local Italian restaurants, Thanksgiving dinners in the woods, dominating groups of kids in laser tag, secretly loving the Minecraft movie while watching it with your kids, being able to swim in front of your house because it decided to flood in July, and so SO many more. That’s life; filled with little moments that leave lasting impressions. Slices of time that make you smile or laugh or cry when you chance upon them again. Moments that enhance an experience already doused in sensation.

And all we can do is be prepared for the ride. Maybe that’s why New Year’s Resolutions took hold. It’s us metaphorically cinching up the saddle for the next go round. So, I guess, Giddy Up! Now whether your last year was a bumpy ride or a smooth gallop, I hope that you found some small piece to the puzzle that is you, some satisfaction that was missing from the years prior. As for me, I continue to grow and learn, and I can safely say I have left 2025 stronger and more versatile than I was before. What I can also say, and it’s probably something many of you are excited to hear, is that I am ready to get back into another metaphorical saddle: writing.

It’s been more than two months since I published “The Godstone Decree,” and, while it hasn’t reached the success I was expecting, it has been very satisfying watching it enter the world. Especially since it managed to snag a Top 100 Notable Book spot on Shelf Unbound Magazine’s 2025 list! I mean, how cool is that!? I mean, I feel like it’s my duty to tell you, if you haven’t already, go check out “The Godstone Decree.” I am sure you will find something you like there 😊.

Shameless plugs of my work aside, I have also decided on a few more resolutions. The first, of course, is to write book three of the Gods Adrift series. I mean, that’s a given! But the next two are more in line with the personal growth we all expect to hear about with New Year’s Resolutions.

Firstly, and this one might be a little ironic, but it’s for me to read more. You see, I consume most of my pleasure reads via audio book and I want to try and get back into the art of just cracking open a good paperback and diving into a story. Also, it will help me get away from the cursed land of the internet. It’s not exactly a pleasant place, especially now.

Secondly, I want to force myself into a few more social situations. Adult life can be tricky for forging new friendships, and the internet doesn’t always do the best job of connecting us. So, I want to try and break down some of those barriers, and … I don’t know, go to board game night at the local bookstore or get back into miniature painting/playing! Just a few more moments with strangers than I experienced last year, and, who knows? Maybe those strangers will turn into friends.

So, that’s my large goals for next year. If you are feeling up for it, why don’t you pop into the comments and tell me your resolutions for 2026? I think it’s going to be a great year. Happy New Years!!!

Thank you all for reading! Stay tuned next month for more shorts and tidbits from me.

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Or if you’re so inclined check out my high fantasy series, Gods Adrift, available on Amazon or possibly through request at your local bookstore (pssst that means its available wholesale to commercial entities through IngramSpark).