Shannon A. Thompson's Blog, page 2

From Book Booth to Ball: A Day in the Life of an Author at a Fantasy Event

After eight years away from the book event scene, I dove back in. And what better way than a day packed with books, candles, fantasy costumes, and dancing until my feet gave out? The Dark Flame Society: Fantasy Book Market & Fantasy Ball was pure magic, and today I’m sharing all the wins and lessons I learned along the way.

First, the Book Market:

I went into this event being 100% honest with myself: my books have a bit of vintage indie charm. Minutes Before Sunset was published in 2013. That means my covers aren’t trendy, and even my trim size is smaller than today’s standard. I also figured most readers would be looking for what’s hot on BookTok — adult romantasy packed with spice — while my books are young adult fantasy filled with sweet, angsty teen romances (absolutely zero spice included).

But honestly? I didn’t care about any of that.

I just wanted to have fun, reconnect with readers and writers, and rediscover what it felt like to be part of the indie author community again.

First lesson learned? Getting back into the swing of things was half the adventure!

After my husband heroically helped me dig through our basement to find my old inventory, x-banner, and all my bookish supplies, I still had a few technical hurdles once we arrived. Huge shoutout to my fellow indie author and friend Tee Harlowe for helping me wrestle my x-banner into place. It turns out, a little teamwork makes everything more fun.

In fact, instead of going to the book market solo, I teamed up with my bookish bestie who owns Burn Candle Co. We shared a booth, selling books, candles, and exclusive book-candle bundles themed after my stories. We had Shadow Daddy candles for the Timely Death trilogy and I Love You, But It’s Killing Me Candles for the Bad Bloods series. And let me tell you: combining our small businesses was the best decision ever. Not only was it my favorite part of the day, I still can’t believe we sold out of our Timely Death trilogy + Shadow Daddy Candle bundles!

Did I make a ton of sales beyond that? Not really. But that wasn’t the point. 

​​For me, it was about reconnecting with readers, practicing my elevator pitches, and soaking in the creativity all around me. 

Next Stop: the Fantasy Ball

Glittering gowns, a millennial hits DJ, and the thrill of aerial performers spinning above the crowd? What more could you want? The Fantasy Ball was pure enchantment. It wasn’t just a night about books; it was a celebration of creativity, community, and unapologetic joy. Everyone was dressed to the nines. There were professional cosplayers, singers, and burlesque dancers. 

I had imagined a slightly more fantasy-book themed ball based on what I’d seen online, but honestly? What we got was even better. I haven’t danced that hard in a decade! (No regrets. Just sore feet.)

One of my favorite moments of the entire day came at the ball: A reader from the book market spotted me, brought over her friends, and excitedly told me they had been talking about my “unique” books. My pitches had stood out to them and stayed with them. They gave me so much encouragement. It was absolutely electric. The kind of moment that fills your creative well.

Final Thoughts: 

I had an absolute blast. Sure, it was a long day (up at 5 AM, home by 10:30 PM…and the ball itself went until midnight!), and yes, I may have whacked my head on my book carrier crate harder than I’d like to admit. But honestly? Every second was worth it.

Would I do it again?

I think so…though, with a few more sparkly upgrades and extra caffeine. Especially if I ever decided to publish new indie books. (Regardless, I definitely need a new x-banner.) Whether you’re selling books or just soaking in the magic, there’s something unforgettable about spending a day surrounded by readers, writers, and pure imagination.

Have you ever sold books at a book market? Attended a fantasy ball? I’d love to hear about your adventures and lessons!

~SAT

How to Turn Pinterest Boards Into Novels

I love making Pinterest boards for my novels. They help me brainstorm and get into the right mood. But how do you take the aesthetic vibe of your Pinterest board and turn it into a novel?

In this post, I’ll share tips on how to make your Pinterest board work for you and ensure it enhances, not limits, your writing. You can also connect with me on Pinterest and look at my examples here.

First, Collect Inspiration & Start with a Vibe 

I Pin chaotically. I love getting on Pinterest and just pinning whatever grabs my attention. I have a folder called “Inspiration” where all that goes. Sometimes, I have an idea of which WIP it will go with, and other times, I know it’s for a future idea I haven’t even come up with yet. As you collect inspiration, you can organize your Pins. Create folders for each WIP, and go from there. The more you Pin to a specific board, the more accurate Pinterest’s algorithm gets in suggesting additional pieces. I love being surprised by a piece of fashion or setting that feels perfect. This will all become fuel for your story.

Next, Match Aesthetic to Genre, Character, & Setting 

Before you start writing, consider your aesthetic. Is it a cottage core fantasy? Gothic thriller? Dark academia mystery? Once I know that, I love to pick a color palette for my WIPs (4-6 colors). Not only does it become the base for my Scrivener theme, it also helps me stay consistent with my vibes. Think about how your aesthetic uplifts your story. How does your character fit into it? A nerdy professor can be in a gothic dark academia and a cottage core fantasy, but the way you describe him will probably vary. In one book, he teaches forbidden topics in a secret classroom concealed by a gloomy painting; in the other, he teaches best potion practices outside in the herb garden. You probably know which is which, right? When I know the aesthetic I’m going for, I like to stare at my Pinterest board and brainstorm words. I’ll jot down anything that comes to mind, and I’ll reference the list as I write. 

Finally, Don’t Be Too Literal & Don’t Let the Photo Replace Your Writing 

The photos are meant to inspire you, not hold you back. Don’t feel like your character absolutely has to look like that specific model you pinned. Maybe they have the same hairstyle but not the same clothes. You can pick and choose details that work for your WIP and ignore anything that doesn’t. (You can even delete your entire board and start all over if you realize it’s not working for you!) Something that always helps me is talking to my critique partners. Recently, I actually took pages to my group, and they all struggled with picturing the setting in one scene. I realized that I didn’t describe what I was picturing enough. I let the photo do the heavy lifting in my imagination, but I didn’t actually get the details down. I referenced the inspiration photo and asked myself why I liked it, then I read over my CPs’ notes. This meant taking a hard look at the scene and figuring out which details were necessary in order for it to all come together. Those pages are fixed now! 

In the end, Pinterest is a popular tool, but it isn’t the heart of your story. You are. Use your voice to bring your ideas to life. 

Final piece of advice from someone who works in art rights? You can always link to your Pinterest board as an extra for readers, but don’t take art off Pinterest to use however you’d like. There are artists behind these pieces. They deserve proper credit (and usage may require payment). Do your research. Don’t be afraid to contact an artist and ask for permission. Sometimes artists will actually let you use it for free with credits. You can also use free websites like Pexels or get a Canva premium subscription. (What do I do? I set all my WIP boards to private. I don’t like to share anything while I’m creating. I prefer to share my boards once the book is published.) The only other caveat I’ll add is about AI art. There is so much of it circulating. Support real artists, please.

Here’s my board for the Timely Death trilogy.

How do you use Pinterest to inspire your writing? Do you have any favorite boards or tips you swear by? Drop a comment below and share your thoughts.

~SAT

Upcoming April Events: A Fantasy Book Market & Free Query Letter Webinar

April is going to be amazing! I just sent my agent my latest manuscript (fingers crossed), and now, I am gearing up for two fabulous bookish events. 

On April 26, I’m a featured author at the Flame of Fantasy Ball in Kansas City. This is my first in-person book-selling event since 2018. (Mind blown!) I’m really looking forward to meeting ALL the readers. More information here.

On April 29, I will be teaching a free webinar for the OCLS Traditional Publishing Boot Camp: Writing a Standout Query Letter at 7 PM EST. This will be focused on fiction projects. There are a bunch of other classes happening throughout the month, too, so make sure to check this out early. Learn more.

I hope to see you there!

More writing and publishing tips coming your way on Monday, April 21.

~SAT

How to Use Luck in Your Novel

Have you ever used luck as a plot device in your novel? 

Whether it’s a meet cute with a fated mate or that risky final move against the villain that miraculously succeeds, luck often plays a subtle but powerful role in storytelling.

But how much luck is too much? How can writers utilize luck without making characters feel passive or undermining the stakes?

In this post, we’ll explore the dos and don’ts of luck in fiction, the difference between luck and skill, and how you can incorporate luck into your story without frustrating readers.

The Dos and Don’ts:

I like to compare the use of “luck” to Christmas magic in romcoms. Seriously. Watch any Netflix holiday romance and pay careful attention to the Santa character. They’re sometimes disguised as a playful grandma or winking mailman. They may deliver leading one-liners or directly affect the protagonist in some way. No matter what they’re doing, their Christmas magic swoops in to push the character toward adventure. And that’s the key.  

Luck should create scenarios, but it should never be used to solve them. 

The Difference Between Luck and Skill:

For a character to feel active (and for readers to invest in their journey), a protagonist needs to be in charge of their journey. A protagonist needs to make the decisions and take the risks. If luck plays a hand—such as a character leaping over a precipice and making it to the other side despite odds not being in their favor—we will still see it as the character using their skills to make a calculated decision. That said, I still advise writers to use any obvious moments of luck earlier on in the story, when characters are still growing their skillsets (versus using it later on and taking away from the growth they’ve accomplished). 

A character surviving against all odds can feel like luck, but what keeps readers engaged is their skill. 

How to Incorporate Luck Without Frustrating Readers: 

If you are going to use luck for something significant in your story, it should be a theme and introduced early in the story. Think of Domino from X-Men or the movie Just My Luck (2006). You can also play with the idea of luck. The Death Gate cycle is rooted in manipulation of probability. Similarly, Kakagurui is a gambling anime/manga that explores skills disguised as luck or probability, especially when cheating is involved in the setup of a fixed game.

Luck is the setup, not the resolution. Exploring luck still has stakes. 

Luckily…

There are many ways to approach luck, but at the end of the day, readers invest in characters who use their hard-earned skills.

What about you? Have you ever utilized luck in a story? 

~SAT

How to Create Fantasy Characters Readers Will Obsess Over

Whether you’re writing a brooding warrior, a mischievous fae lord, or a reluctant heroine, building a dynamic character is key to making your fantasy novel unforgettable.

I’ve written a lot of fantasy books—seven of which are published (two are free right now!). It’s why I teach writing classes and why I always recommend creating a book bible—a series of documents that tracks everything you need to know about your novel, including details on your characters. Why? Because consistency matters. There’s nothing worse than realizing halfway through edits that you’ve contradicted your protagonist’s magic system three times.

So, what should you know about your fantasy characters? And what do you already know about yours? (Seriously, tell me in the comments. I love hearing about them!)

Every book is different, but here are the key things I keep in mind when crafting a fantasy character:

What is their purpose in the story? Even minor characters should feel like they are at the center of their own journey, not just there to prop up the protagonist. If a character feels like a chess piece rather than a real person, take a closer look at their motivations. What is their physical arc? What is their emotional arc? A character shouldn’t just grow stronger in magic or skill. They should evolve emotionally, too. When I was an editor, one of the biggest issues I saw was characters leveling up in power but staying stagnant in emotional depth. Growth isn’t just about magic.What is the cost to their magic? Magic without consequences is just a shortcut. Humans burn energy when they run a mile. A magic-wielder should burn something, too. What’s the price? What happens when they push too far?What guides their moral compass? What are their personal rules that they will not break…and what would it take to break them? This doesn’t mean you have to cross that line in the story, but knowing where that line is (and what tempts them) makes them more compelling.Where were they before page one? It’s important to know your characters as fully fleshed out people who had lives and goals before the story begins. 

Remember: Not everything you know as the author needs to go into the book. But knowing these details will help you write characters that feel layered and real.

An extra tip? Readers love to root for something. Even the villain should be sympathetic somewhere (even if it’s a really, really small something). Readers especially love characters who can make them laugh. (But maybe that’s another post for another day!) 

If you’re struggling to decide which details are important, share your work with critique partners. They might even ask you to add more! 

I hope this helps you create your next fantasy cast. 

What details do you include when building characters? 

I would love to hear your process! 

~SAT

P.S. My first quarterly newsletter goes out next week! I will be sharing the biggest writing tip I learned from Big Five editors last year. Subscribe here for the scoop.

A Year in Traditional Publishing: My Journey with an Agent

As I step into 2025, I find myself reflecting on the past year—what I accomplished, what I learned, and where I’m headed next. Every publishing journey is different, but looking back at my own path, I realized I had outlined a roadmap of what traditional publishing looked like for me in 2024.

So, why not pull back the curtain and share?

A Quick Caveat

I’m not a full-time writer. In 2024 alone, I changed jobs, my husband had spine surgery, and we juggled raising a toddler (who brings home both daycare illnesses and endless giggles). I also teach writing classes on the side. Writing is something I do as often as I can because I love to tell stories. 

That said, my writing process is anything but linear. Traditional publishing requires constant pivots. For instance, last year, I received two revise-and-resubmit (R&R) requests from editors, which meant dropping everything to tackle them first. I also have multiple projects in progress, but after reviewing my stats, six stood out, so I focused on those here. To make it easier to follow, I created a graph to track them! The Y axis is word count; the X axis is months. I color-coded the WIPs. It’s not 100% accurate to graph this way, but I hope the visual helps!

With that in mind, here’s what my year in traditional publishing looked like with an agent:

January

I officially signed with my agent, and we hit the ground running. I revised 60k words of my adult romantasy (Book 1 – blue) and started drafting a new adult romantasy (Book 2 – purple). Meanwhile, my agent reviewed one of my young adult novels (Book 3 – green) and put together revision notes.

February

I reached 88k words in my revision of Book 1. My agent sent me a revision letter for Book 3, and I started brainstorming more for Book 2. I also auditioned for an IP project.

March

I made it to the final round of the IP tryout but ultimately wasn’t chosen—though I was invited to try again! I finished revising Book 1 and submitted it to my agent. Then, I tackled Book 3’s edits, completing 60% (about 50k words). Meanwhile, I added 11k to Book 2 and introduced my middle-grade fantasy (Book 4 – brown) to my critique group.

April

I completed Book 3’s revisions, and we sent it on submission. Then, I received an edit letter for my middle-grade novel-in-verse (Book 5 – orange), so I paused work on Books 1, 2, and 4 to focus solely on that.

May

Book 5 went on submission! With two books now out in the world, I returned to revising Book 1, reaching 75k words. By this point, burnout was creeping in, but I wanted to finish Book 1 before taking a break.

June

I wrapped up my revisions on Book 1. My agent and I reviewed the pitch letter and editor list. I also resumed work on Book 2 (13k words), sent chapters to a beta reader, and prepped Book 4 for my critique group.

July

Book 1 went on submission! Then, I received two R&Rs—one for Book 5 and another for Book 3. While waiting for the edit letter on Book 3, I revised Book 5, making it halfway through. I also reached 23k in Book 2 before pausing it for the R&R.

August

I completed my R&R for Book 5… and got rejected. But I also received my edit letter for Book 3 and immediately dove into revisions.

September

I finished my R&R for Book 3 and turned it in. I also attended LitUP, where I met two of my agent siblings—not to mention Holly Black, Ruta Sepetys, and more! It was an unforgettable experience, though by now, exhaustion was catching up with me.

October

Recognizing the need to recharge, I stepped back to refill my creative well.

November

After discussing next steps with my agent, we decided to focus on a young adult space fantasy (Book 6 – yellow). I revised 12k words based on her notes. I also hit 27k in Book 2 and brought chapters to my critique group for the first time.

December

With the holidays approaching, I chose to slow down and enjoy time with my family. Still, writing is how I breathe. It’s not just what I do—it’s who I am. When I felt like writing, I let myself play with stories. I worked on Book 6, added to Book 2, explored new ideas, and revisited old ones. However, I asked my agent to hold off on sending any news until the new year so I could focus on family and creativity.

That said, one last update came in: the R&R for Book 3 fell through due to the editor leaving the imprint.

Looking Ahead to 2025

So here I am, stepping into another year with no idea how things will unfold. And yet, I track my stats for a reason: they remind me of how much I pour into this journey every day.

In fact, I’ve been tracking my writing since January 2019. Do you know where I was back then?

January 2019

I was querying Book 3. I was also 26k into my first draft of Book 6.

Some things have changed. Others have come full circle. Publishing moves in every direction—up, down, sideways—and that’s okay. You pivot. You edit. You write something new. You shelve projects. You dust off old ones. You dare to keep dreaming. You write another book. Another chapter. Another word.

You keep going.

My 2024 in NumbersRevised: 426,000 wordsNew words written: 54,000

I’m proud of what I accomplished in 2024.

And I aim to be proud of 2025.

What are your writing goals for this year?

~ SAT

3 Books Helping Me Reset my 2025 Writing Goals

My 2025 started off horribly. Not only did my bestest cat buddy pass away, but my family was also hit by a blizzard and a norovirus at the same time. 

It wasn’t the best way to start the year. 

So why not start completely over?

A sort of “January doesn’t have to define my 2025 any more than a bad hour defines the whole day” mentality. 

For me, February 1st felt like a place to have a new January 1st. A new 2025.

To help myself out, I finally hung up my motivational calendar, and I invested in a few books to get back on track. They have been amazing! 

Life & Apples Wellness Planner 

I love this planner so much! Not only can you start it at any time (you fill in the months/dates), it also breaks goals down into the 90-day method. This helped me really think about specific goals that are measurable and attainable rather than wishy-washy goals that I may set aside. It also comes with a bunch of adorable stickers. I’m utilizing this one every day. It’s helping me write, but it’s also encouraging me to get back to working out on a daily basis. To be honest, my biggest regret in 2024 was setting aside my workout regime to make a writing deadline. Though I met the deadline, my mental health took a hit, and so did my physical health. Lesson learned.

The Manifestation Journal by Kelsey Lane

Penguin Random House actually sent me this journal last year, and I’ve been using it weekly ever since. The prompt is mostly the same, but it’s well-balanced. It helps think of the positives, while also encouraging you to consider change. It also has a freewrite space that my planner doesn’t, so it pairs well with a daily calendar. 

BURN AFTER WRITING by Sharon Jones. 

Lastly, I wanted to make more time for life reflections. Grief begets grief. It brings up lots of emotions and history, and I knew I wanted a therapy tool that I could use independent of my therapist. (Yes, I see a therapist once a month. Always have. Even when things are great!) I haven’t used this one as much as the others, but whenever I feel like I’m tempting to doom scroll, I try to read an eBook or pick this up instead. Reflecting is great way to slow down and remind yourself of all the good you’ve been doing and how you can continue to shape up moving forward. 

Anyway, these are three books I’m using to get back on track, but I’m also totally in love with my Self-Love Affirmations & Reflections: A Ritual for Self-Worth, Self-Compassion, and Self-Care cards. Zeitgeist sent these to me for kicking off 2025, and I had no idea how much they’d help me. You can flip them every day, or you can flip them as often as you need to. I’ve been flipping them when I’m in a bad headspace, and they help me turn my negative self-talk into grace and compassion. I keep them on the top shelf of my desk, so I can always see them. 

This week, I’ve filled out my motivational journals. I’ve flipped my self-affirmations cards. I’m aiming to write and workout today. And I’m looking forward to teaching How to Write a Book Series later this week. Join me on Thursday, February 4 at 7 PM EST. It’s free! Learn more here.

If you need a do-over, take this as a sign to join me. Try a motivational calendar. Fill out a mental health journal. Utilize a planner. 

We got this. 

~SAT

Coping with Pet Loss: Remembering My Soul Cat

I used to hate cats. Seriously. Up until I was nineteen, I was adamantly a dog person. I grew up with huskies and malamutes, after all. My only experience with a cat was a single memory as a child, where I pet one too much, didn’t pick up on the leave-me-alone vibes, and got consequently scratched. I took this one experience as proof that cats weren’t for me. 

Then I went to college. 

During my sophomore year, I moved into a townhouse with two roommates. A couple months in, one of their friends had a dispute with their landlord over their cat, so we agreed to house their cat while they worked it out. His name was Lucifer. A large black-and-white cat with an I-don’t-care-if-you-dislike-me-I’m-still-going-hang-out-with-you attitude. 

Maybe it was his stubborn need for cuddles…or my college loneliness, but that cat single-handedly convinced me cats were the most amazing pets on the planet. 

When his owner retrieved him, I knew what I wanted most for Christmas that year: a cat of my own. 

I did a lot of research. I even bought all the cat supplies one would need for a cat before I was even sure if I’d get one. Then I went to the shelter. 

By then, I had a more specific goal. I wanted a black cat. Mostly because I had read that black cats had the lowest rate of adoption and, because of that, the highest euthanasia stats. But I also loved black cats because my favorite superhero Sailor Moon had Luna. 

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a Luna of my own?

That’s when I turned the corner and met eyes with Bogart. I knew he was the one. Despite the fact that there were numerous other black cats in the shelter that day–including three other black kittens from his litter–I insisted he was mine…and I was his. 

From that day forward, we were truly inseparable.

A nineteen-year-old English major who had no idea what she was doing…and a little black cat with marble green eyes. A cat who had originally been abandoned on the side of a highway in a closed box, he now rode in my lap as I drove back and forth from college to my dad’s to my boyfriend’s (now husband’s). He took to the road like a champ. He didn’t need or want the carrier. He loved perching his paws on the window and peering out at the world as we zoomed down the highway in my RX8, his litter box in my trunk.

We were a goofy sight. Little kids often waved at us. Drive-thru baristas always giggled and offered pup cups. I’ll never forget the toll booth lady on the Kansas turnpike scratching Bogart beneath the chin as she momma-lectured me about driving into town on a Monday at 2 AM. 

Bogart and I basically lived out of my overnight bag, and he was perfectly content to tough out the rough edges of college with me. Wherever we were at night, he always slept on my pillow, and if I had my space heater on, he made sure to curl in front of it, so that I got no heat. I didn’t mind. He was my best friend. My only friend at times.

You see, Bogart came into my life during a tectonic shift in my social life. I struggled with a depression so steep, I had a difficult time connecting with anyone. 

But I had Bogart. 

I’m not sure I could’ve handled my loneliness without him. 

I gave him the love that I wished someone could give me that I was also incapable of giving to myself. I poured that love into him and I watched that love thrive. Outside of me, but by my side. And he loved me back. 

He was my soul cat. 

When I went to class, he sat in the window and waited for me to come home (or sometimes my roommate would invite him into her room to watch her hamsters). At night, he’d sit on my lap while I wrote 50-page essays for my various English courses. When one of my roommates unexpectedly died, there we were again–separated from everyone, but still together. 

No matter what sort of tragedies came my way, I always had Bogart. 

After I graduated, he continued to sit on my lap or at my feet whenever I was writing novels. He was there when I got my first book deal. He was there when I got my first freelance gig in publishing…and he was there when I started working at Penguin Random House. He was so happy to be able to sit on my lap when I started working from home again. (He really loved the pandemic lockdown snuggles.) 

In fact–to be 100% honest–I’m writing parts of this while he’s still alive. As I’m writing this paragraph, it’s January 3, 2025. Bogart is sleeping on my feet as I write about his life. In two hours, he will be gone. I’m writing partially because it’s how I cope, partially because I love writing with him, and partially because I know I won’t be able to write this once he’s gone. 

I’ll surely be a puddle of myself for a while. 

This morning, I gave him his favorites: olive oil sardines and my leftover cereal milk. Last night, he had some mac & cheese. Rare treats that I now wish I gave him more of during his life. Withholding treats didn’t prevent his diabetes.

I don’t know why or how he got diabetes. Truly, I rarely gave him treats. My best guess? He developed crystals one year, and our vet prescribed Hills C/D MultiCare Diet Food, and now there’s lots of complaints online from pet parents whose cats developed diabetes after being on it. He was on that diet for a few years before I took him off. I’m sure there’s also a genetic factor. 

But I’ll never really know. 

All I know is that I feel like he’s been robbed of a few more years of life. 

Bogart is only 14. I am–was–really unprepared to lose him this soon. I truly believed we had another 3-7 years together. (Boo Boo, my husband’s cat who was also Bogart’s best friend, lived to be 22. He passed away in May of 2022, and Bogart never really recovered.)

Shortly after Boo Boo died, Bogart developed diabetes. Despite vet visits every other week for over a year and daily insulin, we couldn’t get his numbers under control. Then he developed hyperthyroidism and lost 4 pounds in 3 weeks. He approached stage three kidney disease, and became completely incontinent. I have been carrying him to and from the litter box every hour for two weeks. After he peed all over himself (and me while I was carrying him), we tried painkillers to extend his life for a few weeks. But the medicine made him worse. 

That’s when I knew it was time to let him go. While researching options, I came across the phase “one week early is better than a day late.” My husband also really regretted how long we stretched out Boo Boo’s death. Boo Boo was dragging his legs before we let him go. Truthfully, my husband stretched it out in the hopes of Boo Boo getting to meet our daughter, who was due that autumn. But fate wouldn’t last that long. Boo Boo passed away in May of that year. It hurt–a lot. 

In Bogart’s case, I’m so grateful he got to meet Winnie. My first cat baby meeting my baby daughter. He barely left my side when I was postpartum (even if he was glaring at me to pet him while she slept instead of letting me sleep). He was actually the first cat to let Winnie pet him. He would purr whenever she pet him, too. Now, they hang out all the time. I’m not sure how you explain death to a two-year-old, but I guess that’s something else I’ll go through before you even read this. 

At this moment right now, I’m remembering a time in 7th grade. I was in debate, and the teacher assigned controversial topics to us at random. I got euthanasia for people. Embarrassingly, I asked my teacher “What’s Youth in Asia” have to do with controversy? (I was 12, please forgive me.) Once she corrected my dumbass, I still remember researching the story of a woman with a football-sized tumor in her stomach, who moved to Oregon just to pass peacefully (and not bankrupt her family in the process). Ultimately, I won the debate, but I never felt good about such a sad topic.

There’s an irony in it all–purposely rescuing a black cat because of the heartbreaking euthanasia statistics, only to come to the point in his life where it became a mercy. 

His next step, according to our vet, was a seizure or stroke within the next week or so. He was actually lucky to still be walking. Almost all the muscle in his back was gone, and his back legs were weak. He was also going blind. 

Since making the decision, I hold onto the phrase “A week early is better than a day late.” I don’t know if I fully believe it. How can I–the most trusted person on the planet to him–make a decision like this without his input? What would he want? He can’t tell me, of course. He’s a cat. 

All I can think about is what I would want. 

I hope whenever I die, I get the opportunity to pass peacefully–and I hope I get to see Bogart again. 

In the end, I had a vet come to our home, so that Bogart could pass at home, comfortably, painlessly, and with me by his side. The vet let me know that Bogart already started to die the moment sedation was given to him. He was very weak, and he passed very quickly. It’s one of the only facts I hold onto, knowing I might have prevented a more painful passing. 

Losing a pet is a uniquely horrible loss. 

Loving him made my heart bigger. I held onto hope easier. The world feels darker and smaller and sadder without him. 

I know it is a fresh loss. As I’m writing this sentence, it’s only been four days…and I know I need to give myself the same grace, patience, and love I used to be able to give to him. 

But now that love hurts.  

He was one of the most stable relationships of my life. Bogart was actually in my life longer than my mother. She died when I was 11. Bogart was in my life for 14 years. I’m not comparing the losses, necessarily. Every death is unique and raw and ugly. But losing a cat is not just losing a cat. 

I’ve definitely lost a piece of my family. My heart. My soul. 

But I am so grateful I had him in my life. 

In 2010, I rescued him on Christmas Day. He slept in the Christmas tree, his big green eyes full of wonder. It is painfully fitting that he closed his eyes for the last time beneath our Christmas tree on Friday, January 3, 2025 at 12:23 PM.  

Rest in peace, Bogart. Life was better because of you.

I may have rescued you from the shelter, but you rescued me in so many other ways.

You will forever be in my heart. 

~SAT

P.S. Due to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I won’t be posting on January 20. I’m hoping to have my next post up on Monday, February 3, but I’m obviously sad right now, and I’m trying to extend myself grace for a bit. I hope that’s all right.

Free Writing Webinars to Kickstart Your 2025 Writing Goals

The New Year is my favorite time of year for writing because so many people are energized and ready to tackle their dreams. 

To help you out with your writing goals, I am teaching two free writing webinars, and I wanted to give a quick sneak peek so that you can decide if it’s the right webinar for you. If you attend the programs, you will get a free copy of the slides for your personal use. 

On January 11, 2025, I’ll be teaching a virtual session on How to Fast Draft a Novel. We’ll be discussing different approaches and why knowing how to fast draft is important. You can learn more here!

On February 4, 2025, Orange County Library is bringing back a fan favorite: How to Write a Book Series. I will discuss how to use outlines, book bibles, and subplots to keep each book consistent, but also fresh and exciting. Register here.

Again, you can register for the programs here: How to Fast Draft and Writing a Book Series. I also encourage you to share them with others! Various classes have helped me fine-tune my writing over the years. It’s a joy to give back from the other side.

As always, keep an eye out on my Event page and subscribe to my newsletter for the latest news. It is quarterly, and it goes out later this month! 

If you have any questions, please let me know.

I hope to see you there,

~SAT

P.S. If you’re interested in me teaching at your library, school, or event, please use my Contact page. I am currently booking 2025 events.

2024: The Year of Revision

At the end of every year, I write a reflection post about where I’m at, not just in my writing life, but also in my personal life and how it all correlates. 

I’m officially calling 2024 the Year of Revision. 

In my writing life, I signed with my agent in January and revised three novels for her. We went out on sub with all three! I also completed three R&Rs for editors and tried out for an IP project for the first time. It was a lot of revision. Hopefully all of my hard work will result in something fabulous, but publishing is tough and unpredictable. All I can do is focus on writing the best books I can. 

When I look back on what I loved about my writing life this past year, it’s the time I spent with my critique partners eating pancakes. It was meeting Julie Soto at her launch event at Under the Cover. It was attending LitUP and meeting my agency siblings, Randy Ribay and Ellen Oh. I even met some of my author heroes, including Holly Black, Ruta Sepetys, and more. We all grabbed ice cream and BBQ together afterward, and it meant so much to me. 

Spending time with good people who love writing and reading books is peak vibes. 

Most unpredictable of all was the moment my toddler found my first published novel. It has a photo of me on the back, and she recognized me. When she realized I’m an author, she said WOW. 

I want to harness that WOW magic in 2025. 

In my personal life, I left my job at the library, not knowing what was in my future, and started working at Writers House as a contractor after interning there. I finally visited New York City, the place I always dreamed about but was always out of reach. I got to grab lunch with my publishing mentors. With their help and guidance, I got the opportunity to interview with Penguin Random House, which is where I now work in Art Rights and Permissions. I specifically work with audiobooks and large print adult titles. It’s been such an incredible dream. I could’ve never predicted it at the beginning of the year. I’ve learned so much at PRH, and I look forward to what I’ll learn next year. (I really appreciated experiencing Summer Fridays for the first time. I also participated in PRH’s wellness program, which allows us to take wellness activities. When I took a look at their list and spotted sailing lessons, I decided why the hell not. I’m now a certified small boat sailor. Cheers to small, unexpected adventures.) 

Aside from career changes, my husband took us to Hawaii for our third wedding anniversary. It was the honeymoon we never got to take, and it was beautiful. Even better? Our toddler continues to grow and thrive. I love watching her personality develop and shine. 

Beyond motherhood and publishing and working, I finally made it a point to carve out time that had nothing to do with any of it. I found myself reconnecting with Nancy Drew games, which has been really good for my mental health. The fandom is so positive and fun, I’m really grateful for the space. I’m currently playing Labyrinth of Lies. 

That said, there’s been hard times, too. As I type this, my 14-year-old cat Bogart’s health is going downhill, fast. I don’t think he has a few more weeks with us. I never expected him to leave us so soon. But I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about that yet. 

Anyway, last year, I wanted to call 2024 my dream year. In some ways, it was. In some ways, it wasn’t. When I look at my personal life and writing life, I see one thread. Revision. A revision of my career. A revision of my agent. I revised three books. I completed three more revisions for editors. And ultimately, there will be more revision of how I’m going to balance it all next year. 

In 2025, I don’t know what’s in store for me. I think I’m done guessing or wishing. All I’m going to do is focus on what I can control, day-by-day, and hope for the best. 

I’ve been at this for a long time, and I don’t have any plans on giving up…even if my road requires more revisions. 

What was your year like? How does that shape your goals for next year?

~SAT

Want to see what’s happened throughout my years of blogging?

2023: A Whirlwind Year2022: My Complete Year2021: The Year of Dramatic, Unfinished Change2020: The Strangest Writing Year (Hopefully?)2019 reflective: 2020 Author GoalsSetting 2018 Writing Goals2017 Wasn’t My Writing Year2016: Dear Writers, 2017 can be your year!