Magical Girls And Getting Writing Done- August 12th, 2025 Newsletter
Happy August, readers!
With my YA magical girl-themed short story collection, “Stay Magical,” being available for preorder in 13 days from now as of the time of this newsletter being sent to you (August 25th), I’ve been getting myself hyped up for its release by listening to more magical girl show music, including the transformation themes from Sailor Moon. The transformation theme music used for Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune is my favourite from the Sailor Moon anime (the 90s version) that I grew up with, though the other themes are also fun!
Speaking of music: I put together a reading playlist for “Stay Magical!” This playlist includes several magical girl themes that magical girl fans might be familiar with, and a few tunes that are not strictly from magical girl shows. However, I think that the non-magical girl show songs fit the vibe well. You can find it in the Freebie Library - happy listening!
Spread the word about “Stay Magical” to any magical girl enthusiasts you know, and you can learn more information about it at this webpage! Thanks in advance for your support!
What Am I Writing Lately?
I shared my newest monthly writing update back on August 1st! Click here to read it if you haven’t done so yet, since I talk about writing Draft 3 of a book I initially drafted back in 2021, as well as the status of “Stay Magical” and other works.
After I reorganized my WIPs page and took off the already-completed works (completed writing-wise but not necessarily ready for publication yet), I realized that I cannot work on any more WIPs at once…not until I finish the actual writing for the current ones. Considering that I have two poetry collections and numerous standalone and/or series books that need to get their drafts done, this is a lot to handle. However, I was determined to get them done and make room for new works!
I started off by editing and writing Draft 2 of both of my poetry collections “Sonnets of Spring” and “Sonnets of Summer.” I hope to write two more connected collections (probably called “Sonnets of Autumn” and “Sonnets of Winter”) accordingly, but this probably won’t happen until the first two collections are completed, writing-wise.
I then moved on to editing “The Restless Writers’ Retreat,” which is the working title of a book where four writers go on a writing retreat to solve their writing-related problems. I would say this book falls into the “chick-lit” category if one were to ask me about the genre. The funny part about me coming back to this project, however, is that I actually drafted this book back in 2020/2021 and then promptly forgot about it until recently!
I also got this specific book beta-read (thank you to the beta-reader that read it for me!), and I plan to get back into writing and editing for this book’s next draft very soon.
I then got a little stuck trying to figure out what to work on next for a few days after the above, before deciding to continue working on Draft 1 of “Growing Bonds, Making New Memories,” which is my Rune Factory 4/Skyblock Kingdoms SMP/Fields of Mistria-inspired book.
Other book-related things I did that were writing-related but not actual writing included:
Preparing for the release of “Stay Magical,” my upcoming magical girl-themed short story collection!
What Have I Heard Lately?
I’ve been listening to episodes of the writing podcasts “Pen to Print” and “Write On!” which is hosted by the same people that make the “Write On” magazine. Podcast episodes vary between interviews with professional writers to recited poetry. You can click here to find links to where you can listen to all the episodes!
Some episodes I recommend include:
Writing Tips From Novelist and Podcaster Anna Britton: Write On! Audio Weekly (June 2nd, 2025)
The Writer’s Gym Podcast: Write On! Audio And Friends (May 26th, 2025)
Writing Times from Niall Edworthy and Georgina Brown. Write On! Audio Weekly (Jun. 30th, 2025)
Aside from podcasts, I also listened to this ambience playlist that the Youtube channel Fantaisia Ambience put together, which is full of music by Thomas J. Curran. It definitely gave me some writing inspiration.
What Am I Playing Lately?
I recently started playing “Bloomtown: A Different Story!” This game is a narrative JRPG that mixes turn-based combat, monster taming, and a social RPG. The main story focuses on a young girl, her brother, and their friends fighting demons. I wasn’t sure what to think of this game at first. However, I grew to enjoy the variety of sidequests available, as well as the main story, and how your choices can greatly influence what happens next. According to a friend of mine, apparently it sounds very similar to the Persona game series, so…Persona fans, if you like Persona, you might like Bloomtown!
You can buy the game for your computer through Steam, and it’s also available for other devices like the Nintendo Switch and the Playstation 5.
What Am I Reading Lately?
After the holds list from my library’s ebook catalogue slowed down with sending me books, I finally went to the physical library to borrow several books.
One of the books I borrowed and read was “The Forbidden Library” by Django Wexler. The protagonist, a young girl who’s recently orphaned has a lot to be wary of when it comes to living with many suspicious people in her new household. Despite the grim setting, it works for the plot. Also, not everyone is inherently immediately mean to people by default in this book, so that helps too. The book reminded me of Lewis Carrol’s Alice In Wonderland - or perhaps, more accurately, the games American McGee’s Alice and Alice: Madness Returns. If you liked those, you might like this book!
One of the (non-fiction) books I read was “On Book Banning” by Ira Wells. The author discusses the issues of book bans, including giving examples of past book bans and more recent ones, and how they often do more harm than any intended good.
Another book I read of note was “I Loved Her In The Movies” by Robert Wagner. Wagner writes about many of the famous actresses he either observed, met, and worked with throughout the decades, ranging from Marilyn Monroe to Bette Davis to even Natalie Wood (who Wagner was first married to) and Jill St. John (his third wife and still married to as of this writing).
I also really, really enjoyed reading “The Witchling’s Wish” by Lu Fraser and “Gustavo The Ghost” by Flavia Z. Drago! Both are picture books for children (fiction), and they are absolutely adorable to read.
Other books I read include:
“Thea Stilton And The Search For The Secret Garden” by Thea Stilton
“The Age Of A.I.: And Our Human Future” by Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Daniel Huttenlocher (audiobook)
“A Crime Of Passionfruit” by Ellie Alexander
“Jeannie Out Of The Bottle” by Barbara Eden
Thank you for following my writing journey!
I hope you look forward to seeing more of my writing process and work. I also look forward to giving all of you more frequent updates as well, so stay tuned for more!
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at clarislamauthor@gmail.com! I’ll respond within 48 hours (except on weekends and holidays).