STORIES FROM MY DESK | My 2024 Round Up On Writing, Reading & Artist Dates

What I've been up to in the last year.

I know I’ve already said Happy New Year in my first piece of the year, but I feel like these newsletters are the ones where I speak more directly to you all, so once again Happy New Year.

It’s not been a bad one, for me, so far. I love the cold weather; twinkly frosty mornings are more enjoyable than wet, gloomy ones. And I haven’t rushed into setting any creative goals - yet, I’m just trying to get into the routine and rhythm of returning to my writing.

I set myself some small goals for the month a number of days ago and, last Monday I broke these goals up into tasks. Spoiler alert, I think I’ve only managed one of those tasks but I have managed to do my tax form so I’ll give myself some grace tomorrow when I set my tasks again for the week ahead. I’ve inserted videos for my goals for January and my tasks for the week ahead (last Monday) for those of you who enjoy that sort of thing.

Burnout was the big theme for me for the last three months of 2024, but I’m now feeling rested, ready and excited to return to my writing desk.

At the turn of the year there was a trend on TikTok where creators would say they didn’t think they’d achieved much in 2024 but when they thought about it they had achieved things. And that’s a lot how I felt - burnout had dominated so much of my year - January and February were also a struggle - and I felt nothing had really moved forward.

Until I remembered that I’d finished my book proposal and sent it out to three agents (so far) - and also received three rejections in return. Now, I’d been working on this book proposal on and off for around three years and it had started life as something completely different. I had a habit of starting creative projects and not finishing them so this was A Big Deal for me. Not only had I a completed proposal in my hands that I could send out to agents but I’d also broken through my fear of success and failure. I’m looking forward to doing more with this proposal during 2025 - and if I have no literary agent-takers then I’ll look into self-publishing.

I also became a Substack Bestseller which I was very proud of. I’ve been writing blogs for almost twenty years - two decades! And had social media profiles of some sort for slightly less. And this is the first time I’ve been a ‘bestseller’ in anything. I love writing online. I love the immediacy and the connections. I love crafting a story and challenging myself. I love creating photographs and videos to go alongside the words. This is my real creative joy and probably appeals to me more than writing books - but I still want the title of being a published author and a book of mine to hold in my hands.

The third thing I achieved - which has less to do with writing and more with mentoring/tutoring - is that I took on a sixteen year old boy with dyslexia and recently diagnosed ADHD and helped him go from extremely low marks in his GCSE mock exams to passes he could be really proud of. Particularly in his English exams. It also told me that mentoring/tutoring is where I struggle emotionally and thus came a burnout relapse. But, it’s all self-knowledge, right? This year I will be concentrating on writing and not taking on any more mentoring.

I’m sure there are other things I can be proud of during 2024 but the above three are my highlights.

READING FAVOURITES

During burnout I read a lot of books. In fact, I’d say 2024 was a good year for my reading. Highlights include:

SERIES (Yes, these are all murder mysteries!)

The Good Girls Guide to Murder trilogy by Holly Jackson. I loved them so much I asked for the special editions for Christmas with the sprayed edges. I’m actually thinking of annotating the paperback versions I have so I can learn more about structuring these types of mystery books. I just haven’t worked out how to do that yet. If anyone has any tips then let me know. The Reappearance of Rachel Price is a standalone by Holly and was published in 2024 which I also loved.

The Variety Palace Mysteries by Bridget Walsh. Set in Victoria London and based around the theatre community I’ve really enjoyed these books. Despite the time period they feel quite fresh and different in the cosy mystery genre. (Though they aren’t always cosy - that is my own classification.) The first was called The Tumbling Girl and the second The Innocents - the third (and it may be a trilogy I’m not sure) is called The Spirit Guide and is out in June.

The Castle Knoll Files by Kristen Perrin. How to Solve Your Own Murder is the first in the series and I have to admit, the title was intriguing. And the book didn’t disappoint. Told in two timelines it was a little confusing occasionally with the cast of characters but I got there in the end. I was tempted to give it five stars but instead gave it a very high four. The next in the series is out in March and is called How To Seal Your Own Fate.

My Agatha Christie Project. Obviously not all the books written by Ms Christie are in the same series and there are some standalones. I’ve read her first six novels so far (I’m reading them all in chronological order so I’ll be re-reading a few of her books). My favourite from the first six is The Man in the Brown Suit, featuring a strong young woman called Anna. I gave this five stars. I think the Poirots are my least favourite…is that controversial? I cannot wait to get to the Marples.

The D is for Death series by Harriet F Townson. Again, D is For Death - the first in a new series, felt quite fresh. Set in the 1930s with a plucky protagonist called Dora Wildwood who on the day she escaped from the man she is to marry, stumbles into a library where she finds a dead body. I did have a few issues with the ‘reveal’ but it was a lovely setting and time period and Dora is rather fabulous, despite me feeling I hadn’t got to know her well at all. Looking forward to the next one - no date has been given as yet.

Molly the Maid Mysteries by Nita Prose. Molly the maid is different to other twenty-five year olds. She’s probably neuro diverse although it’s not said, and as such she’s taken advantage of. But. She’s not stupid. Far from it. Once I’d got used to it I enjoyed reading the book in her voice. I felt this was a twist on the usual murder mystery and the ending was satisfying. I look forward to others in the series. The first is called The Maid and next one, The Mystery Guest, is already published.

STANDALONES

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods is one of those books that gave me such a special feeling (The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets below also gave me ‘the feelings’!) This is a beautiful novel about books, relationships and about saving yourself from the horrors of the past. It’s also rather magical. The second five-star read of mine from 2024.

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld. Curtis Sittenfeld’s books can be a bit hit and miss for me. Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t disliked a book of hers yet (I’ve read Rodham, American Wife and Prep alongside Romantic Comedy) its just some appeal to me more. I loved American Wife but didn’t love Rodham. Romantic Comedy, hoever, is a firm favourite. Set in the world of late night TV comedy, I adored the ‘behind the scenes’ of the show and the developing relationship.

The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice is set in the 1950s. This was such a comforting, beautiful, cosy book and I adored the development of the male/female relationships. This was truly calming for an anxious, burned out writer.

ARTIST DATES

From Macbeth, to Chicago, to Hamilton, to a couple of bonkers Pride & Prejudice themed plays, I’ve had some fabulous theatre visits in 2024. Musically, I’ve enjoyed a few string quartets and, the pinnacle of the year, watching Paramore as the support act (LOVE Paramore) PLUS the absolute joy of taking my daughter to see Taylor Swift and watching her beautiful face as she saw one of the biggest inspirations in her own singing career.

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I’m sure I’ve missed something out. Despite the anxiety, the burnout, a few health issues, a few worries - it’s not been a bad year. I’m hoping 2025 is going to be spectacular. It has to be, I turn 50 in October (I’m sure I’ll be writing more about that!).

I just need to do the work.

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SUBSCRIPTION DISCOUNT OFFER

Now, as it’s a New Year, I thought I’d celebrate with a subscription offer!

You can currently, until the end of January, sign up either annually or monthly and receive 35% off forever. Which I believe makes it less than £30 for the year. You will get access to over two years of essays in the archive (thats a lot of reading!) alongside future essays about writing, creating and my creative mental blocks that I’m hopefully going to smash (I am planning to put more behind a paywall this year as I write vulnerably about my writing journey in more detail).

If you would like to support me and what I write and create I’d be incredibly grateful. Just click on the button below and upgrade your subscription.