Balance
"Surviving February's chaos: juggling writing projects, tackling to-dos, and seeking solace in great reads!"
February 2026
Hey Friend!
It feels both like we just spoke and like it’s been an age since we were last here together. Nice to have you back. I spent much of February being tugged in many directions. I was drafting and then got pulled into editing.
I had homework, but also volunteer work to do.
Work-work and writing-work.
Always something pulling me away from my well-crafted routine.
Focus has also been a struggle this last month. Most of the time I know what’s necessary but can’t find the energy to do it. The brain power to get it done. This isn’t a thing I like to admit, as a Virgo I don’t like thinking of myself as undisciplined. And, that’s humans. We’re not made perfect. We’re iteration personified.
I share all that to say, if you’re feeling that way, you aren’t alone. And if you’re not…honestly live in that joy and recognize it for what it is.
As you can probably guess from my statement above, I didn’t get as far in UD as I wanted. I wasn’t as focused and then had to switch into editing mode in a tighter window. I still managed to write 15,547 words this month, and I’m proud of that. I’m going to try to get back on track, word count-wise, in March with higher daily word counts, but we’ll see how it goes.
I did do some more querying, though not as many agents were open as I hoped. Still, progress is progress on that path as well.
2026 Goals
0/3 Long form projects
UD: In Progress; Current Word Count - 46,654
56/100 queries
0/1 non-fiction essay submitted
A repeat from last month but still true:
I haven’t been anywhere friends but can I introduce you to A Seat At The Table Books? You’ve heard me talk about this place before and I share a lot of their posts on socials. This is one of my local indie bookshops that is so so much more than that. It’s queer-owned, family-friendly, and so much more than a bookstore. They run a multitude of book clubs, writing events and offer their space as an event space (Check out the trivia!). It’s super community focus, its home to a community pantry, is a drop off point for NorCal Resists! donations and do a lot of educational work with their nonprofit arm. Thats to say nothing of their robust collection of diverse books and the amazing local authors they bring in all the time. Even if you’re not in the Sacramento/Elk Grove area, you can order from them online and keep an awesome indie bookstore and community third space alive. I love this place and I hope you will too!
Nowhere yet, but I have had a couple of offers and so I'm hoping some things come together!
Reading
 | This has been on my list since well before it came out but when I realized the second book was coming out this year I knew it was time. I enjoyed this, a different cultural experience, unique magic and budding relationship. Hit my buttons! |
 | This is one of my favorite books! I love it so much. I sincerely hope Foz is working on more books cause I need it. This book follows Velasin and Caethari as they join in a fraught political arranged marriage that becomes so much more. The only problem is that someone is trying to kill Velasin and ruin this marriage before its begun. As the story unwinds, there’s a mystery to solve, romance to be had and grief along with joy. |
 | First some transparency, I consider N.E. Davenport a writing homie from the way back. We’re in the same writing community and I love nothing more than to give my friends the love they deserve. You readers of this newsletter know I’m a sucker for smut and this is chock full! Two strong Black main characters fighting for their respective Kingdoms and their growing attraction for each other. If you like romantasy I definitely recommend picking this up ESPECIALLY if you want to support the limited market of Black romantasy. |
Are you on StoryGraph? That’s where I’m doing all my tracking. Come find me.
Looking for a new audiobook platform that’s not going to support B*zos? Check out Libro.fm (this is a referral link).
Watching
 | Are you surprised? I love housewives and I watch virtually all of the franchises. Missing Garcelle this season but still enjoying myself. |
 | Why is this channel taking up so much time in my brain? I can’t tell you. There is a little bit of drama but mostly just a family doing their work. Maybe it reminds me a bit of old school Parking Wars which as my wife will tell you is a favorite of mine. |
 | My wife and I are doing big financial clean up this year and I’ve really been appreciating Symone’s funny and common sense style. She mostly reacts to TikToks or YouTube videos and I like it a lot. |
Listening
This is the Utter Destruction Playlist and its mostly songs about revenge which for some reason are majority about bad breakups. That’s the not the vibe of the book but the energy of kickassness and you’re going to get yours certainly is.
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