By
Hey Besties!
November has been a bit of a whirlwind, hasn’t it? I can’t believe we’re almost at the end of the month already! I think it flew by so fast because so much of my focus has been on Novel-November and working on my vampire romance, KISS ME AFTER THE KILL.
And I’m excited to announce…
✨ I added almost 54,000 words to the story this month! ✨
It’s the first time in years I’ve taken part in a NaNoWriMo-style event and actually won. I’m so proud of myself and so excited about how KMATK is taking shape.
🩸 KMATK: Progress, Burnout & A Sensible Plan
I haven’t quite finished the book yet. My aim was 62k in November and completing the draft, but after pushing through 50k+, I’m feeling the burnout creeping in. I have roughly three chapters and a few sex scenes left to write, but I don’t want to force myself just to hit a self-imposed number. Pushing through exhaustion never results in my best work — and this story deserves my best.
So the new plan:
I’m taking a break until the New Year, and then diving back into KMATK in January with the goal of finishing the first draft by the end of the month. In February, Hubby (my always-first reader) and I will start a full read-through and revisions.
I thought I would leave revisions until February, but I woke up today with the sudden urge to work on them — so revisions start now! Hubby is also happy to begin reading this week, so the timing actually feels perfect. I think re-reading the story and adding details will give me the motivation I need to charge through those final chapters in the New Year.
🧚♀️ New Stories: Roses, Death & A Shadow Prince
Even while deep in KMATK, my brain had other ideas (thanks, ADHD!).
🌹 1. YA Fae Grim-Reaper Romance — “Roses Are Red” Anthology
I originally planned a cozy magical-school sapphic rivals-to-lovers story for the Snowy Wings Publishing nursery-rhyme anthology, but the worldbuilding felt too big for a short piece — and didn’t match the direction I’m steering my career.
So I’ve switched back to my original idea:
A young woman marked for death who falls in love with the fae grim reaper. It’s soft, gothic, romantic, and fits exactly where I want my writing to go.
🩶 2. My Big 2026 Project — Enemies to Lovers, Masked Fae Prince, Maximum Angst
I’m also brainstorming my next full-length project for when KMATK goes out on submission: an enemies-to-lovers fae romance featuring a masked, shadow-drenched Prince (aka Shadow Daddy). I want to work on it so badly right now, but I know my ADHD brain too well — this one must wait until KMATK is complete.
🖋️ A Big Career Shift: Moving Away from Self-Publishing
While thinking about the kind of author I want to be, I had a major realisation:
I am DONE with self-publishing.
My final self-published release (excluding anthology stories) will be my spicy Christmas short, A WINTER’S KISS, out December 2nd.
I have nothing against self-pub — huge respect to those who make it work. But it’s not the right path for me. I haven’t truly given querying and traditional publishing a fair try yet, and that’s the direction I want to focus on for the next few years.
My future is romantasy, fantasy-romance, and paranormal-romance.
That’s where my heart is and where my voice shines.
Triquetra and Divine Unmaking are still dear to me, but the lore is too elaborate for my ADHD to handle quickly, so those will be slow-burn, long-term background projects.
Right now, my main writing focus is:
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Finish KMATK and query it
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Write the fae enemies-to-lovers Shadow Prince romance next year
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Then see where inspiration leads
And honestly? I feel so good about this direction.
🌸 Health, HRT & ADHD Progress
Health-wise, this month has felt hugely improved. My PMDD has been the mildest it’s been in… ever? I think that’s a good sign the HRT patches are working. I’m trying not to jump the gun, since it’s only been a month, and I’m still waiting to hear from Psychiatry UK about when ADHD meds will begin — but it genuinely feels like I’m finally moving in the right direction.
💜 The Kindred Creativity Club & 2025 Plans
Feeling more stable has made me excited about the future of the Kindred Creativity Club. I recently emailed my ADHD coach — who now also helps neurodivergent entrepreneurs — to ask if she can support me in taking KCC to the next level in 2025.
I am really proud of what I’ve built this year, and I’m super excited about the upcoming Bookish Charity Auction to raise money for the Trussell Trust (Nov 29–30). But I want MORE — more structure, more clarity, more growth.
Kindred is as important to me as writing is. My writing career now has direction… and I want the same for KCC.
🎄 Life, Family & November Moments
Outside writing, it’s been a quiet month. Hubby was ill for half of it, and Oldest just started his new job, so we weren’t out much.
We did manage one outing last week, and while we were out, I had to buy a singing-and-dancing gecko animatronic that belts out “Feliz Navidad.” If you want to see the little guy in action, he’s in a reel on my Instagram.
Holiday prep is going well:
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Me and Oldest have all our gifts sorted
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Hubby has a bit left to buy
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Youngest’s presents (all shipped from Japan) are on their way
I also picked up The Book of Dust: The Rose Field for my sister, but I have mixed feelings. I loved 90% of it… and hated the ending. If you’ve read it, please tell me what you think!
We’re also planning something low-key for Youngest’s birthday just before Christmas — probably takeout or a meal of his choice.
Oldest’s partner might visit for a week depending on her dog’s health; it’s a bit uncertain and understandably emotional for her right now. Hopefully it works out for them — it would be lovely to see her again.
✨ Final Thoughts
That’s about it for November!
Most of my focus has been on KMATK, and I’m still reeling that I wrote 53,882 words in one month.
I’ll be back next week for the release of A Winter’s Kiss — and at the end of December for both my monthly wrap-up and my yearly wrap-up. I can’t believe it’s almost 2026 already!
T.T.F.N
