February Update!

It’s been a while since I did a “general updates” post with what I’ve been up to lately, so without further ado, here it is!

What I’m reading …

I’ve been reading such fun books as of late! My current total of books read this year is 22, so I’m happy to be right on track with my reading goal for 2022. Recent top favorites include Where The Heart Is by Janet Lambert, Unearthing the Secret Garden by Marta McDowell, Golden Sovereign by Dorothy Lyons, and Ginnie and the Mystery Doll by Catherine Woolley.

What I’m planning to read …

I also have a set of new books coming in the mail, including two Janet Lambert novels I haven’t read yet. I’m very excited!

What I’m writing …

I have projects in varying stages right now! I’m deep in an edit round for one project, am planning and beginning to draft a couple of others, and have ideas for plenty more! I’ve been experimenting lately, having written my first picture book last summer and now my first TV screenplay this past weekend. 🙂

Most delightful of all, my upcoming middle grade novel, The Star That Always Stays, releases on July 12, 2022, and the preparations for it—final edits and marketing—have been so exciting! I was also invited to speak on a panel called “Another Time, Another Place” at School Library Journal’s upcoming Middle Grade Magic virtual event, which will be on March 10th!

What else I’ve been enjoying…

I’ve been doing some scrapbooking and drawing lately! I really enjoyed watching the 2022 Winter Cup on Saturday, the first major U.S. gymnastics meet of the year. Cheers to Konnor McClain, who took home the gold in the senior women’s all-around! My flower seeds have arrived, from several different seed companies, and it was a delight to watch them show up in the mailbox. I’m looking forward to planting all of my usual standbys, such as cosmos, zinnias, calendulas, and bachelor’s buttons, and I’m also trying out other flowers I haven’t planted before, including pink dandelions and lisianthus. I planted nasturtiums for the first time last year after reading about them in Jane of Lantern Hill and LOVED them!

What have you been doing to spruce up your winter days? Leave a comment!