I’m writing this with a mug of coffee cooling just a little too fast beside me, the kind where the steam disappears before you’ve even had three sips—just tragic—but it’s fine because I’ve still got Thanksgiving leftovers in the fridge and honestly, that alone is enough to carry me through a week.
Yes, I had a sweet holiday. The kind where everyone actually showed up in a good mood (minor miracle), nobody spilled gravy on a carpet, and the pies vanished at a pace that suggested we were all training for a speed-eating competition. I came home with a plate of extras—stuffing, a slab of turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce that looked like it still remembered the can it came from—and I’m not ashamed to say that every bite tasted like victory.
I don’t know why leftovers hit different. Maybe it’s the calm after the holiday bustle. Maybe it’s eating cold turkey at midnight like some kind of secret ritual. Whatever it is, it works. I’ve been grazing on it all weekend with a contented little sigh every single time.
Meanwhile, the writing desk has been calling my name in that soft but firm way it tends to do. You ever get that feeling where your characters are tapping the glass, like: Hello? We’re waiting. That’s Lucien Knight for me lately. Coat collar up, cigarette nearly out, standing in some shadowed hallway in my brain like a noir painting. I’ve been polishing up book two in the series, smoothing dialogue, layering atmosphere, and finding all the places where commas like to multiply like rabbits.
The story is behaving itself more than usual. Every time I sit down with the manuscript, something clicks. Lucien walks through a scene a little sharper. A clue reveals itself with just the right kind of bite. I love the stage where a book starts feeling like a book, not a pile of words trying to form a synchronized swimming routine.
So yes—progress is being made. That’s my little victory lap for the week.
Speaking of Lucien—because honestly, when am I not talking about him?—if you haven’t met him yet, you can start with his first adventure, Murder at at the Savoy. I’m proud of that one in a way that makes me want to pat the cover every time I see it on my shelf. He’s prickly, brilliant, tired, and drawn into more supernatural nonsense than any reasonable person would tolerate. Which, of course, is why I adore him.
If you’re curious, or if you just want a gritty paranormal noir mystery to curl up with while the weather does its moody late-Autumn brooding, you can grab a copy right here: Murder at the Savoy
I still smile thinking about how it turned out.
There isn’t much else to report this week. And honestly, that’s kind of lovely. After the chaos of holiday meals, busy kitchens, family chatter, and too many dessert choices (not that I’m complaining), there’s something nice about slipping back into a quieter rhythm. Writing. Reading. Walking. Simmering stew weather.
I’ve been lighting candles at night—soft amber glow across the room—while I clean up my manuscript. It feels companionable, like sharing the space with someone who knows when to stay quiet. If you’ve never edited a novel by candlelight, I recommend it. Makes the ghosts behave. Usually.
Anyway, that’s what life looks like from my side of the screen today. If you’re working on something creative, I hope it’s treating you kindly. If you’re still sitting on turkey leftovers… more power to us both.
Some Things I Thought Were Worth Sharing
Reading this piece on fans—the sweet ones, the chaotic ones, and the “oh no, please don’t do that” ones—felt way too relatable today. Solid boundary tips here: https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/11/fans-the-good-the-bad-plus-6-tips-for-preventing-the-ugly/
Want readers to feel your story, not just read it? This article on emotion in editing romance & women’s fiction is your ally. https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/11/how-to-edit-emotion-in-romance-womens-fiction/
Queer country just turned up the heat: Orville Peck teases his new EP Appaloosa with Zane Phillips looking mezmerizing-shirtless. Worth a peek. https://www.gayety.com/orville-peck-zane-phillips-appaloosa
Charlie Larson flips on the floor and flips the script—elite gymnast, unapologetically queer, andapparently the living twin of Timothée Chalamet (who knew?). Worth a read. https://www.queerty.com/charlie-larson-on-being-a-champion-gymnast-his-beyonce-alter-ego-getting-mistaken-for-timothee-chalamet-20251120/
Plot full of action but your pages feel flat? Maybe you’re missing microtension—the subtle unsaid clash that keeps readers engaged. Worth a read: https://www.livewritethrive.com/2025/11/17/microtension-a-must-in-your-fiction/
Just dug into this post by Joanna Penn from Author Nation 2025: human connection > everything, constraints spark creativity, and plan for the curveballs. Excellent stuff.
https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2025/11/17/lessons-learned-from-author-nation-2025-with-joanna-penn/
If you love queer pop culture throwbacks, this one’s for you: 20 icons from Ricky Martin through Matt Bomer who were serving it two decades ago. https://www.queerty.com/from-ricky-martin-to-matt-bomer-20-queer-celebs-that-were-serving-it-20-years-ago-20251120/
Disney’s “first openly gay character” is… a beaver voiced by Fortune Feimster. 🦫 Wild, obvious, and kind of brilliant. Check how the internet is reacting: https://www.queerty.com/disneys-newest-first-openly-gay-character-is-a-beaver-voiced-by-lesbian-icon-fortune-feimster-20251117/
If you’re an author you’ll want to read this: predatory law firms are circling the Anthropic settlement—pressuring writers to opt-out and chase big payouts instead of taking guaranteed funds. Link → https://writerbeware.blog/2025/11/07/predatory-opt-outs-the-speculators-come-for-the-anthropic-copyright-settlement/
Struggling with the saggy middle? This article on connecting your big plot points and bridging the gaps is exactly what your draft needs. Link: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/connect-plot-points-keep-story-moving/
An elderly gay man, haunted by a handsome avatar of death, and now it’s being adapted from Stephen King’s “Mister Yummy” — possibly his gayest horror ride yet. https://www.queerty.com/an-elderly-gay-haunted-by-a-young-hunk-mister-yummy-might-be-stephen-kings-gayest-horror-story-20251119/
Trailer dropped for A Friend of Dorothy starring Miriam Margolyes & Stephen Fry. Lonely widow meets unexpected visitor — heart-wrenching, unexpected, got me. https://greginhollywood.com/see-trailer-for-new-short-film-a-friend-of-dorothy-starring-miriam-margolyes-and-stephen-fry-248522
If you write characters in a hospital or clinic, check this: real-life patient behaviour is even weirder than fiction. Inspiration = unlocked. https://www.boredpanda.com/funny-stupid-patients-msn/
Turns out writers create more than just stories—check out how Barbara Pym’s diaries reveal real-life stalking, obsession & fiction mirroring life. Wild. https://lithub.com/on-barbara-pym-author-and-stalker/
Need a pick-me-up? Kids say the darnedest things—these quotes on Jimmy Fallon’s site had me snorting into my coffee. https://www.boredpanda.com/funny-kid-quotes-jimmy-fallon-msn/
“If you call us fascists, we’ll arrest you.” Yup, this satire from McSweeney’s nails the absurdity of power-structures denying their own authoritarian vibes. Give it a read. Sharp and biting. https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/we-are-not-fascists-and-if-you-call-us-fascists-we-will-arrest-you
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