Wednesday, February 4, 2026

IWSG: A Season of Gentle Focus, Poetry, and Looking Back

 Today feels like a hinge moment—a turning, not away from creativity, but toward a more sustainable way of holding it.



Happy IWSG Day to those who celebrate the fun encouragement of the Insecure Writer's Support Group with monthly blog hops! Thank you for all you do!

Podcast Update

I’m shifting my podcast schedule to one episode per week. After experimenting with a higher release pace, I’m recognizing that caregiving responsibilities and family health needs are asking me to slow down and focus more intentionally.

For the next season, the podcast will center on:

  • the Dark Blade Trilogy

  • updates on the upcoming Kickstarter

  • and readings from Dark Blade Forged

I’m also pausing author interviews for a bit, with plans to return to them later in the spring.

Celebrating To Speak

My poetry collection, To Speak, released yesterday in ebook format. While print editions are still ahead, I’m deeply grateful to finally share this book.

Poetry has been my companion across decades—shaping my faith, my imagination, and my understanding of voice. Releasing this collection feels like honoring that long, quiet conversation.



Insecure Writers Support Group Reflection

Today is also an Insecure Writers Support Group blog hop day. One of this month’s questions asks:

Have you ever reread work you wrote years ago—and what was that experience like?

Yes. I’ve reread childhood stories, early poems, and work from my young adult years. One poem in To Speak began when I was nineteen. I rediscovered it at fifty-three while reading old journals—and I loved it enough to revise and finish it.

Returning to old work can be a strength. It shows us how far we’ve come, and how certain truths and themes continue to shape us. Our earlier words are not failures—they’re foundations.

Today’s Interview

This week’s podcast episode also features a conversation with Stephanie, whose work and perspective I truly appreciate. I’m thankful for her willingness to share honestly about the creative life. Find out more about her through her successful Kickstarter Page HERE, Patreon Here, or Facebook HERE.

Thank you for being here—for reading, listening, and walking alongside me in this season.

Find To Speak through various online stores HERE.

Listen to the Podcast HERE.

Find out more about IWSG HERE.



7 comments:

Laur said...

Your statement about foundations makes me wonder if maybe I go back and reread my ancient stuff too often and I get stuck in my old ways of thinking. It's just a thought...

Liza said...

I agree with you about old work. Sometimes there is something there to work with!

H. R. Sinclair said...

You are absolutely right! When I read my old stuff, I ignore the run-ons and grammar glitches and look at the story.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Congrats on your poetry release! It's great when you find something to work with when you reread earlier writings. How cool that you saved yours.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

This is lovely - "Releasing this collection feels like honoring that long, quiet conversation." Wishing you all the best with it!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Foundations not failures - well said! And congratulations on the release of the new book.

Jenni said...

Congratulations! I just ordered your book. It's wonderful that you were able to revise your poem from 19. I mainly wrote poetry when I was in my teens and early 20s, but I didn't keep much of it. Sometimes I wish I had, because it'd be interesting to look back on. Happy ISWG!