Creative Check-In // June 2026

I skipped May, sorry about that one.

I feel like a dog who has dug another hole in the garden, walking up to my people with my tail between my legs. Despite my best intentions to do these creative check-in’s at the end of each month, I skipped May. I really did intend to do one, but the weariness took hold.

Not all was lost though, I shared a new short story: Lasagna Morgue.

Lasagna Morgue was one of the stories I had submitted to a few places earlier this year. Despite being rejected, I knew I wanted to share it, so decided what better place than here. It’s not the first short story I’ve shared. There’s also Fleeting and Us.

In a perfect world, it would be wonderful to be paid for my words. I am hoping that day happens with more frequency soon. But until then, I’m going to keep sharing where I can, hoping that you might find something within my words.

Like this from Lasagna Morgue:

Has it never occurred to her that I’m less likely to remember the meal, more the people who sit alongside me in my grief, those willing to set aside their own discomfort so I’m not forced to sit in mine alone? Is anyone beside my brother actually going to allow me to voice the pain that hangs heavy in my chest or will they keep force feeding me lasagnas until enough time has passed that they think they can get away with saying nothing at all?

So let’s get into it.

Writing

In the April update, I shared that Something You Should Know was at 46,000 words. It’s now at just over 50,000 words, which brings us to only adding 4,000 words in two months. Given my emotional headspace these past two months, the fact that I got anything done is amazing.

Though embarassingly, I had put in the last update that I planned to have this first draft finished by the end of May. This very clearly did not happen. But I need a deadline. Realistically, I think I could be finished by the end of September. I’m trying to be kind to myself and not over commit because I don’t want to land in a shame spiral.

I have no other pieces out there waiting for consideration. Everything has been a no this year. From articles, to short stories, to grant applications. The vibes are low, friends. But at least I tried! And maybe I will keep trying.

For now, I’m keeping my focus solely on Something You Should Know. Once the first draft is done, I then plan to get straight into The Unrising Sun. I firmly believe in letting a draft breathe before coming back to edit so you’re coming with fresh eyes. I really enjoy the editing process, so I just need to hustle my butt to get there.

Television

If you know me, you know I’m more a television gal than anything. I love a rewatch. And like the rest of the world, I became obsessed with Off Campus on Prime Video. I had never read any of the books by Elle Kennedy, but I’m down for a college-age love story and god damn did this series slap.

I have since read the first two books and I’ve got to say, the series is SO much better. Like SO much better. (I didn’t really enjoy the books and wouldn’t have continued reading if it wasn’t for the series).

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched it. The soundtrack was so good, and I continue to get emotional watching how grateful G Flip is for having their song Bed On Fire take off after it was used in the show. I love an ensemble cast, where the girls aren’t pitted against each other, where this is open communication and emotional vulnerability, and where they talk about some pretty heavy trauma and the effects of it without actually showing it on screen. It felt refreshing.

And then there was Every Year After. When I read the book Every Summer After by Carley Fortune, I remember thinking it was written especially for me and I was completely in love, until we got to the reveal of the central conflict and it became an immediate no for me. I was curious to see if I’d feel differently in the series. Every Year After is the epitome of a meeting that should have been an email. I don’t think a series was the right format for this and I think a movie would have worked better. I really wanted to like it, and maybe if I hadn’t become obsessed with Off Campus so recently I might have. But I don’t think I’ll be watching it again.

I really enjoyed The Four Seasons on Netflix. It’s a fun format with a great cast, and I really enjoy stories about adult friendship, which I feel are few and far between. While it was slightly more emotional than I was anticipating, it was also really beautiful. I am hanging out for season three.

I have just (and I mean just) started Widow’s Bay on Apple+. It’s going to take me a while to watch it because I am a massive wimp and will only be able to watch it during daylight while my children are at vacation care and doing an episode at a time before I start working from home for the day. So hold tight for my thoughts on this.

I’m finally up to date with Grey’s Anatomy and I’ve gotta say, it feels like a hostage situation at this point. I’ve spent TWENTY YEARS OF MY LIFE watching this show and I need to know how it ends. BUT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD CAN YOU JUST CANCEL IT ALREADY?

Look, I binge watch television to avoid my feelings, okay?

Maybe I should try my hand at writing for television? Lol, I don’t need another procrastination tool.

Music

The hyperfixation on Noah Kahan’s The Great Divide has remained. I am still unable to listen to Willing and Able or Orbiter without crying. Shout out to you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, Olivia Rodrigo’s third album. What an absolutely incredible songwriter. Her ability to tell stories through her songs, and even the structure of this album, are chefs kiss.

Though can my favourites please stop writing the most gutwrenching music while I’m out here emotionally fighting for my life? Thank you.

Reading

As referenced earlier, I read The Deal and The Mistake by Elle Kennedy but I didn’t love them.

I finally read Run by Sarah Armstrong, a brilliant Australian middle grade writer. I’ve been trying to read more middle grade to get a feel for what’s current in that readership and realising you can take ideas a lot further than I initially thought.

My sister lent me The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas. I haven’t read The Spanish Love Deception but I don’t think I was missing anything by reading this one first. It was a cute romance and with the world being the world, it’s a nice distraction.

I’ve just started This Stays Between Us by Margot McGovern, but much like Widow’s Bay I’m having to limit myself to reading during daylight so it might take a while. But damn, it’s so good.

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There’s another creative check-in for you.

While I skipped May, at least I’m back for June, right? RIGHT? Please gently hound me to keep writing. I’m so close!

Until next time.