This summer didn’t go quite the way I had imagined. I started out with a long list of goals and plenty of enthusiasm, but life had other plans. An illness slowed me down for a little while, and I had to put some things on pause.

At first, that pause was frustrating. I’m not the best at sitting still when there are words waiting to be written. But sometimes slowing down is exactly what you need. It gave me time to rest, reset, and remind myself why I love the creative process in the first place.

Now that I’m back in the swing of things, I’ve been spending a lot of time with my Story Idea Book. It’s a mix of doodles, notes, half-baked “what ifs,” and flashes of inspiration that might someday grow into full stories. And stickers. Lots and lots of stickers! It’s not perfect, but it’s colorful, fun, and full of possibility. Right now, that feels just right.

And tucked between the pages of this book are the building blocks of something bigger. It is something I’ve been quietly working on all summer. I can’t spill the details just yet, but a big reveal is coming after the first of the year.

For now, I’m letting the anticipation build—for you and for me.