Reflecting on 2025 and thoughts on 2026

Holy cats, does time fly by quickly. I suppose most people find themselves reflecting on their year during New Years, however I tend to do so on Christmas Day. Why is this? I suppose for me, it is a stronger marker. I get to see the kids, another year older and becoming more grown-up, remembering past Christmases, and marveling how they're maturing. Perhaps remembering people who are no longer with us, and hopefully welcoming new ones to the occasion.

Inevitably, though, after watching everyone growing and becoming the people they are meant to be, the question comes up -- what the heck have I done with myself in the meantime? Have I followed through with my goals for the year? I imagine like many people, I end up kicking myself -- the answer really is 'No', I never do as much as I intend. That's the way of life, though. And if I think about it, perhaps I've done a little bit more than I realized.

In the writing sphere, let's list it shall we?

2025

Writing: So I've finished book one, book 2 should be easier right? Well. Sort of? Yea, I've learned a lot of things -- and one of them is that my writing process relies more on planning than pantsing. And that at this point in my career, the planning process doesn't really get much easier. I tried to explain it once, that planning for me is like groping through the fog on my hands and knees, trying to find the path using a tattered map and a janky compass. I kind of know where I start, and sort of know where I finish, and somewhere in the middle I know I need to climb down a ravine and back up again, and then camp on top of a mountain peak. However, since I really am not sure of my route, I often find myself in the strangest of places doing the oddest things.

Did I know there was a rope swing here? Should I see if I can fling myself across this gulch? Is this a path? It looks like one, or am I seeing things? Why did I end up at this campsite? Did I miss a trail? For those of you missing a camping spot in an unexpected deluge while hiking, you know the disoriented feeling.

Yet even through all that, I found some unexpected and exciting places! And somehow despite myself -- I made progress. After several false starts and several compete overhauls of the premise, I'm at 40% of the first draft and about 80% plotting the major events of book 2. Oh, I know how it is going to begin, and am pretty sure how it is in the end, however the unknown 20% falls into the 'I like this but I'm not completely sure if it's right' camp. This solidifies as I continue to work.

Social Media: I know you're going to laugh. I do. Yeah -- I'm flirting with that thing called Twitter. Wait, no, is it called X? Whatever. Social Media. Look, I'm not completely ignorant of the concept. However, I'm more of a pen and paper journaler and am only semi-comfortable with online blogging. My sister, who is awesome and super smart at this stuff, seems to do well with it and the conversations I have with her make it seem not all that difficult (visit her and her home organizing business at https://www.minimalee.me/). That said, for 'marketing purposes' I've opened up my X account and begun to post (*sarcastic laugh*). Drop on by @CandidK762.

So yeah, 2025 feels a bit sparse -- but what can I say? I'm doing my best.

2026

So what have we plans for in the future? What does 2026 hold for me? Goals! That's what I've got.

Goal 1: Finish the first draft to Book 2. I'd like to aim for June 30th of 2026, but it feels like a stretch. But I'm going to say it. Be aspirational, right? I'm going to finish the first draft of book 2 by June 30, 2026. That's right, say it confidently!

Goal 2: Continue to market The Swordmaster's Matter. I honestly am still feeling my way through this, and so am concentrating more on public conversation and reviews this year. If you are interested in reviewing an emotional, thoughtful, big hearted, political fantasy epic? Reach out to me! I'd be happy to send you a copy.

Goal 3: Read more! Not just read more, but read and review more Indie Fantasy. Hey, if I want people to review my stories, I should pay it forward and read and review theirs as well. I'll be meandering through the internet to see what's interesting to read in my own roundabout way, but if there's something you'd like me to read and review on this blog, drop me a line!

And there you have it. Have a fabulous 2025 and see you in 2026. Thanks for reading!