I guess you all know by now that when I disappear from cyberspace, it’s because I’m up to my eyeballs in either A) a new manuscript, B) revisions, or C) obsessed with reading.

For the past few weeks, it’s been C. I’ve reread the Harry Potter series, and spent every moment not reading working on art commissions. Since my wrist is much better, I felt it only fair to paint as much as possible, and make up for the time I couldn’t draw a single squiggle.

Also, Harry Potter. This reread gave me all the feels, and it just reminded me again that these books spark so much joy. I sincerely love them.

Anyway. I’d also spent a fair amount of time rereading A Study of Ash & Smoke, and A Trial of Sparks & Kindling. I made many, many notes and have planned out the story for Book 3 (and a lot of what happens in Book 4) in detail. Which isn’t something to sneeze at if you consider my history of just going with it.

I shared this image in my last newsletter (do be a dear and sign up! It comes out once a month, and features all kinds of exclusive behind the scenes stuff you don’t see on the blog) and also on my Instagram stories. But these are all important details I have to remember while writing Book 3.

Now, I’d written about 8000 words for Book 3 already, but as these things go, they all got scrapped on Monday, and I started anew. Since Monday, the new words have all been cut. Twice. But, as of Wednesday, February 26th, we have a draft going.

This book is four chapters strong. And me? Well, I’m officially in that zombie-writer phase, all vacant-eyed and smiling, but not really taking in anything real people say. The characters in my head are way too demanding.

As for the rest of my life, it’s going well. For the first time in a long time, we’re all 100% healthy (touch wood). The snow is melting, we’ve had milder weather, and my body is ready for spring. Can you say hiking in the mountains?

In other news, I’m talking to Doodleeeeeeeee about an art commission for ATOSAK (have you seen the cover, BTW). Now, my friend Doodleeeeeeeee is just starting out on Instagram, but you seriously need to follow her. Her doodles are freaking amazing.

But anyway, since I’m so obsessed with stained glass and mosaics, I figured Doodleeeeeeeee’s style would work perfectly. You’ll be the first to see this artwork once it’s done.

And that’s about all I can think of now. I’m itching to get back to my manuscript. 🙂

Thanks for stopping by.

Yolandie.