New Inspiration for a New Year
Galloping Into 2026
The tradition of new beginnings is strong in my culture. We will use anything—a new moon, a new week, a new day—as a point around which to pivot, to travel in a new direction.
And everyone around here knows I love it when my expectations get twisted toward the better!
A Happy Accident
It was a coincidence that "Building/Landmark" was my assigned template to judge. I doubt that the WorldAnvil staff knew I was planning to dedicate my December adventure to fleshing out my own building: The Black Box Casino. A new worldbuilding project conceived as a playground for myself and a couple of writers I wanted an "excuse" to work with.
It is now evolving into the setting for a weekly writing circle that is part workshop and part game based on playing a hand of poker.
Strong Foundations
A lot changed for me in 2025. I moved into the house where my mom died. I had several large creative projects fizzle or fall apart. I lost a lot of family.
And.
I met wonderful new friends. Found family since starstuff. Rediscovered my inner poet. Became a founder of an indie publishing house. Wrote and shared fiction.
Hired an editor!
The galloping energy of 2026 has left me dizzy and breathless in the wake of it all. That's why I'm returning to the foundations, seeing what's still solid, what needs shoring up, and what's rotten beyond repair.
This includes returning to Argentii. Because I think it's time to tell the story there.
Rest, Recover, Renew
I tried to push through January like a snowplow. Because I forgot I am not a snowplow, I am a person. And my particular build as a person is not meant for full operation in the cold and dark of January and February.
Friends and fans who've been around know that I'm quiet during this time. Focused on judging WorldEmber and prepping for the Worldbuilding Awards. Waiting for the sun and the spring and the energy that comes with both.
Boy, was that a mistake.
Punk'ins, listen to your body and your brain. It's good to try new things, to check in, to make sure that you're doing what's healthy and not just what's comfortable. And we must also recognize when we are not thriving inside a new system, routine, or circumstance.
That's what happened: I got so swept up in the novelty of the energy around me that I couldn't see old habits creeping in.
I was ambushed. I spun out. I crashed.
And now I know, for certain. January and February are for resting. Recovering my energy. Renewing my creativity.
Three Small Changes
Resolutions aren't really my thing. There's a stigma to the word that leaves a funny taste in my brain.
I prefer goals.
Goals are achievable. They are solid. They can be measured over time. Yes, I know I'm arguing with myself over semantics. And since I'm the one I'm competing with, then it's important that I'm comfortable with how I'm framing the things I want to achieve. If resolutions give me the squik and goals makes me purr, then why not?
Here we go:
- More time writing by hand. I have so many nice pens and beautiful inks. I've got amazing Blackwing pencils. And so many notebooks, so much paper. I want to write by hand, I want to engage with my words. There are no open tabs, no AI lures nothing except my stupid ideas and the fun of writing on paper. Children never worry about whether their art is good, they're just happy to make it and show it off. I want to remember how to be that way.
- More time reading. I used to devour books, both in the real and audio. I need to do more. That's why my friend Vinny and I have started the Busy Writers Book Club in the Television Sky Discord .
- Finally sit down and learn WorldAnvil's styling. I am tired of having to make due with how my world looks, just accepting things that bug me in order to get the most from the pre-made styling. No more! At the very least, I will learn how to change colors and fonts and build containers. That will be enough to give me a start.
Progress!
WorldEmber
These seven articles each, in some way, reinforced my resolution to slow down, be more in touch with my work.
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