No, I haven’t been hiding in a hole somewhere – although at times it’s certainly felt like that. So, here I am back for the next adventure – another blank page that’s the year 2025. So far, this year’s offered up – rain – there’s been lots of rain.
A few weeks ago, we welcomed in the Chinese New Year, ushering in the Year of the Wood Snake. Symbolising rebirth, growth, and adaptability, it feels particularly fitting as I reflect on my recently completed historical fiction novel—a hefty 108,000 words of perseverance, passion, and patience. The journey to finishing this book has been long and winding, not because of the writing itself but because of the constant battle to carve out time. To all the writers balancing a full-time job while nurturing their creative dreams—kudos to you. It’s no small feat.
This novel has tested me in ways I never anticipated. The self-doubt, the exhaustion, the nagging question of whether I would ever reach the final page. But through it all, I learned an invaluable lesson: keep going. Even when progress felt glacial, even when the end seemed impossibly distant, I reminded myself that every word added was a step forward. And now, here I am—book finished, working with my mentor to refine and polish it until it sparkles.
While my novel is a work of fiction, its historical grounding meant immersing myself in research -endless, painstaking, and at times, utterly fascinating. There were rabbit holes I fell into for days, only to emerge wondering whether a single sentence in my manuscript truly needed that level of detail. And yet, the joy of weaving history into storytelling, of transporting readers to another time and place, has made every late night and every moment of frustration worth it.
As I look ahead, I feel a renewed sense of purpose, of adventure. Writing this novel has been an exercise in resilience. Whether it leads me to literary festivals, book tours, or simply into the hands of readers who connect with my story, I am ready to embrace whatever comes next. Because in storytelling, as in life, the most unexpected journeys often lead to the most extraordinary destinations. After all, in the world of storytelling, anything is possible… Until next time Nx