Today, I worked a bit on the cult novel again.

I’m doing something really different with this one. The last time I wrote a novel (and technically the time before that, if we’re counting the monstrosity I wrote in college), I’ve always worked in a pretty linear fashion. I generally started with a really clear idea of where the novel began, and I was able to muddle through from there. With this project though, I have yet to really identify a concrete plot. I’ve got characters I’m screwing around with, and I’m trying to flesh out the belief systems of the cult, but I don’t have any clear direction past that.

The truth is, I am feeling incredibly blocked on Forgotten Holler, the novel I’ve been working on since 2020. I actually haven’t really written on anything in months. So even if this cult novel doesn’t go anywhere, I’m beyond thrilled that I have the urge to work on something at all.

Love and gratitude, as always.

Subscribe to my newsletter to hear about my favorite creative activity of the week.

Read my writing here.

Support me on Patreon here.

Turns out, I also needed Wellbutrin!

Today, I noodled around on what I’m call the ‘cult’ novel.

I’ve been playing around with a cult-ish thing for a several weeks now, and I’ve finally dedicated a spiral bound notebook to it. It always feels a little embarrassing to start a new project, I feel, because in the early days it’s so unformed. It’s hard not to feel like the characters are dumb or that it’s too melodramatic. I haven’t even landed on a real plot yet, just messing around with some character studies and trying to flesh out what this cult actually looks like. I haven’t been able to rekindle my love for any of my old projects, the ones I started before settling on my recently finished novel draft, so maybe something brand new is what I need.

Love and gratitude, as always.

Subscribe to my newsletter to hear about my favorite creative activity of the week.

Read my writing here.

Support me on Patreon here.