Writing Update: June 2025

First of all, have you noticed the new website? HUGE thank you to my talented cousin Molly Costanza for helping me make this colorful and fun and a reflection of me and my stories. In the past, I've built my own websites. In this season of life, I'm trying to focus more. That means: more writing, more dedication and devotion** to my craft, and less chasing shiny skills that I don't really need.

And since I promised you an update on my writing with the title of this blog, that's what you'll now receive.

Update #1: I GRADUATED COLLEGE

For the first time EVER, I walked across the stage and received my undergraduate degree. On May 4th, 2025 I officially added "Bachelor of Arts Degree in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University" to my Author bio.

Finishing college took me 19 years, folks. After countless hurdles---including switching majors, switching schools, financial challenges, HAVING A BABY, raising said baby, starting businesses, changing jobs, schools closing, and on, and on---I finally did it. I couldn't have done it without the support of my incredible husband (seriously, he handled so much while I stressed about submitting discussion posts on time.)

What I'll always remember is that I didn't "need" to finish college. Although it was a struggle to carve a career path for myself, I made it to the upper levels of leadership at a decently sized company. I am proud of my hard work. College was something I wanted to do. I wanted to finish. I also wanted to learn more creative writing skills, and if I've learned anything about myself as an adult: I do way better with deadlines*** and with a nice reward at the end.

Graduation weekend was fun, too. My parents came and we brought both girls. L was excited to see Boston and all the historic sites. Baby was excited to eat all the food, as per usual. We took a detour to walk through Harvard Yard on our way back to Boston from SNHU, to (hopefully? maybe?) inspire L with what's possible. She loved it, and thought it was cool to see where Legally Blonde was filmed. We were bummed that we couldn't get into the library without a tour guide or student ID, and I told L that's a good "reward" for doing what she can to get into Harvard (as if getting into Harvard isn't enough!).

Update #2: Quill & Cup 180 Program

In March I signed up (somewhat last minute) for the Quill & Cup 180 Program, which promised that participants would essentially spend 180 days (6 months) writing, and come out on the other end with a finished novel. We're halfway through the program and I LOVE IT.

School was great and all. I learned a lot from my teachers at SNHU. But most of my classes were not actually creative writing classes. I took two? Maybe three CW classes, and the rest were studies of literature. Which was great, but I think in order to become a great writer you have to, you know, write.

180 is like combining the lessons of those creative writing classes and applying them right away, FOR SIX MONTHS STRAIGHT. The content is so good, and Ania (Q&C founder) is such a great teacher. Not only am I learning (and relearning) creative writing skills each week, but I'm fine tuning my writing craft.

AND I'm MAKING HEADWAY ON MY NOVEL. I'm further than I've EVER gotten into drafting before. Two weeks ago, I hit 100 pages on Project: Glitter City. I won't lie, I cried a bit.

Best part? I've loved the concept of Quill and Cup since joining in 2022 (or 2023? I can't remember), but there are like 100+ writers in the group. It was intimidating, because despite how much I can babble on when I write, I'm kind of a shy person. 180 is a small group of 16 writers, and it's been so fun writing with them and getting to know them. I feel like I have my writer tribe now, and honestly, it's given me the confidence to build more relationships in the rest of Quill & Cup.

Current status: on a 1 week break (because REST is non-negotiable!); 40,724 words, 110 pages; a Peacock named Basille, and someone has figured out someone else's secret. I can say no more.

Update #3: The Wild Draft

Because I don't believe that you should "only work on one project at a time", and because I know that I do better when I have a deadline*** to manage to, I also signed up for Kailey Delorusso's The Wild Draft program. (How awesome is it that we share the same first name??? I have rarely met another Kailey!!!)

Kailey is the editor in Chief at Write or Die magazine, and when she posted about this program, I decided to take the leap and try it out. Yes, wile also participating in 180. Why? Reasons were stated above. Also, maybe because I can't chill. Idk.

Last week we had our first meeting and I met the rest of the cohort. Such lovely women, and I am grateful and excited to write with them over the next six months.

One thing Kailey said during our first meeting as a cohort was to forget the word "discipline" and try to think of it as "devotion"** to our work. I LOVE that reframing, and I am totally devoted to my writing craft in this chapter of life.

Current status: I've started an outline for Project: Cave House and started writing what I know about characters and their relationships. Next meeting, June 18th!

Update #4: Submissions

As mentioned in my last post, I have a goal to get a short story published this summer. To do that, I have to write a bunch of short stories, which is why I'm doing this #ShortStorySummer writing challenge.

Currently, I'm drafting a short story for the Forest & Fawn Fantasy Writing Challenge, which is due June 16th. So far, I have 80 words written. Ha. But, deadlines are approaching! I will write more today and tomorrow. The prompt fits nicely with the characters in my Project: Thorn & Rose, so I am going with that!

Besides short stories, I'm submitting a couple of first chapters to different contests. Yesterday (!!!) I submitted the first chapter of Project: Claude to the Writes of November first chapter challenge!!!

There are other calls I'll submit to throughout the summer, and will post updates as I do.

What's coming up ?

Besides the #ShortStorySummer challenge, over the next month I'm still prioritizing two things: Project: Glitter City and Project: Cave House. I've developed a nice routine of writing at my desk (or at a coffee shop) almost every week day and tapping notes into my phone on the weekends when ideas come to me. I'll continue to host two prickles for Quill & Cup per week.

Outside of writing, we're planning some travel this summer. We might take the baby to Banff and do some hiking, and L is pushing for a trip to Charleston. Because, and I quote, "It's so cute." She's such a teenager and I love it!