Reflecting on the Journey - A year of writing, and growth

As the year winds down, I’ve been thinking a lot about how far I’ve come with my writing this year. Back in January, I took six weeks of leave with one goal in mind: get that first draft done. I wasn’t sure how it would go, but to my surprise, the story poured out faster than I expected. That first draft came together in what felt like a heartbeat, and after a couple of rounds of edits, I sent it off to my beta readers.

Waiting for feedback is always nerve-wracking, but their insights were gold. They pointed out what worked, what didn’t, and where the emotional beats hit hardest. Their feedback truly shaped what the book became. It helped me see the story from fresh angles and pushed me to refine the heart of it.

Then came the third round of edits. By that point, I was deep in the Twisted world, polishing sentences while juggling new ideas. I started Three Little Lies somewhere in that creative chaos, proving to myself that my mind never really rests between stories.

In the midst of all this, I submitted Twisted Bonds to the Queensland Writers Centre Publishable and Pitchable competitions. While nothing came of those, the feedback that I received included where readers said it felt like it was already published, or that it only needed a light edit. Hearing that was surreal. This series has been a labour of love, years in the making and despite many efforts to find a publisher or an agent, I can’t seem to progress the stories through a traditional route.

But this feedback was the push that I needed. I set about building a website, building an audience, connecting with readers and authors through my socials.  Yes, I’m still a little too chicken to hit publish on the Twisted series but The Watcher’s Prey is now out there, with ARC readers, and I find myself waiting again for feedback but it’s a different kind of waiting. This time it’s not about polishing or refining the story, it’s about the readers experience of the story and whether they would recommend to other readers.

As I reflect, I see growth not just in my writing but in my confidence. Every edit, every critique, every new idea has been a step forward. This year taught me that writing isn’t just about finishing, it’s about trusting the process, the story, and myself.

If you’ve been following my journey, thank you. Your encouragement means the world. And if you’re waiting for the release of my debut novel, The Watcher’s Prey, hold tight, it’s coming, and I can’t wait to share it with you.