Lately, music has been doing what it always does best for me: holding the emotions I don’t quite have words for yet, and then gently handing them back so I can put them on the page.

I’ve always written with music nearby. Sometimes it’s background noise, sometimes it’s the heartbeat of the scene. Music helps me tap into emotion first, before plot, before structure, before logic. It lets me feel what my characters feel: the ache, the longing, the quiet hope, the unraveling, and once I feel it, the words follow.

When I’m stuck, it’s rarely because I don’t know what happens next. It’s because I’ve lost touch with how it feels. Music brings me back.

Here are a few songs I’ve been absolutely obsessed with lately and why they’ve been living on repeat while I write.

I’ve been thinking a lot about gratitude, not in the glossy, performative way we sometimes see online, but the real kind: the warm, messy, deeply human gratitude that shows up in the everyday moments. The kind that reminds me that even on the hardest days, there is so much good woven through my world.

There’s something magical about the way October arrives. The air shifts, the light softens, and suddenly everything feels ripe for new beginnings. For me, October has always been one of the most special months of the year—not only is it my birthday month, but many of my most treasured travel memories have taken place in October. It’s a month full of adventure, reflection, and coziness all at once.

Fall has always been my favorite season. I love it all: the way the leaves change into shades of gold and red, the way a sweater feels just right on a cool morning, the sound of wind brushing through branches, and the return of hot drinks as a daily ritual. Even small things—like candles flickering in the early evening or pulling out my favorite blanket—carry so much comfort.

There’s something surreal about coming home after a long time away. The town looks familiar, but the rhythm of life has shifted. You’ve changed, too.

Thanks for sticking around and supporting my little queer creative life. Whether you’re a longtime reader, a Patreon pal, or someone just stumbling onto this chaos—I’m so glad you’re here.

There’s something about the shift into spring that always makes me feel like I’m waking up, too. The days are getting longer, the air is a little softer, and I’ve found myself settling back into the rhythm of writing with more energy than I’ve had in months.

As an LGBTQ+ writer, your perspective is unique and necessary. The world needs your stories, your insights, and your creativity. By acknowledging your fears and moving forward anyway, you reclaim your power and contribute to a richer, more inclusive literary landscape.

Storytelling is more than just entertainment; it’s a powerful tool for shaping culture, challenging norms, and inspiring change. For the LGBTQ+ community, writing is not just an art—it’s an act of defiance, a declaration of existence, and a beacon of hope.

Mainstream media, particularly action movies of the 1980s and 1990s, have long shaped the traditional concept of a hero. However, authors challenge these conventional narratives by reimagining what a hero can be, especially within the LGBTQ+ community.

Merging travel and writing into a lifestyle can be both thrilling and daunting. Exploring new destinations while sharing stories with the world is undeniably appealing, but weighing the pros and cons before diving in is essential.

One of the biggest challenges of writing on the road is finding the right environment to focus. Constant movement and changing surroundings can disrupt concentration, making it difficult to get into a productive rhythm.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season and is ready to kick ass in 2025!

I, for one, look forward to everything 2025 has in store for us. It’s a year that will be full of challenges and wins.

When we talk about a "monthly reset," it generally refers to a regular process of reviewing, organizing, and planning at the end of each month to prepare for the next one.

Gratitude is a word that we toss around quite often, especially during this time of year, but how often do we pause to really think about what it means? At its core, gratitude is all about appreciating the good things in life, both big and small. It's that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when you realize just how lucky you are to have certain people or experiences in your life. But let's be honest: practicing gratitude isn't always as easy as it sounds.

November is National Novel Writing Month, and this year, I'm diving headfirst into the challenge by aiming to complete 10 short stories. Sounds ambitious? It is! But with a little planning and a lot of determination, it's entirely doable. Here are a few candid tips to help you crush your writing goals in just 30 days.

Let nature's palette inspire new ideas or breathe fresh life into stalled projects.

So what does it truly mean to live a creative life? It means giving yourself permission to dream big dreams without fearing judgment or failure. It's allowing yourself to be vulnerable yet brave enough to chase those dreams relentlessly—because creativity thrives on courage as much as it does on inspiration.

As we continue on this endless journey, we realize that being a writer is not just about what we produce but who we become. Each story, character, and carefully chosen word shapes our craft and our very selves. We are perpetual students of life, observers of the human condition, and chroniclers of our times.

The journey of a writer is not just endless but endlessly rewarding.

writing tips, writer advice, overcoming obstacles, writing mindset, writing habits

Here are some candid lessons learned and advice for aspiring writers:

Writing is hard work, period. Those romantic notions of being a writer lounging at a Parisian Cafe sipping espressos? Yeah, that's not reality. Writing takes serious discipline, determination, and perseverance. You need to develop the mindset that you are doing the hard work of a laborer. Butt in chair, hands on keyboard. Grind it out. There will be days when you don’t want anything to do with writing, and it’s okay to take time off, but you must form good writing habits, or progress will be hard. More on this in a minute.