Nothing Scarier Than Silence from an Author

Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Learn to Not Write a Bomb

If you’ve been following my Substack, you might have noticed a quiet spell in new posts and story updates. I want to take a moment to explain why I’ve been relatively absent from this space and share what’s been happening behind the scenes.

Over the past several months, I’ve fully immersed myself in a series of writing contests. This has been both a challenging and enriching experience—one that has taken much more time and energy than I initially anticipated. These contests were not just about competing or winning; they served as invaluable learning opportunities. Each submission brought with it critical feedback, some of which was affirming, while other insights pointed out key areas for growth.

What I’ve realized through this process is how essential this stage of revision and reflection is to the writer’s journey. Writing is not simply about putting words on paper but about continually refining the story’s heart and heartbeat. My focus now is on carefully assessing the feedback I’ve received and integrating it in a way that aligns with my unique voice and the original intentions of my stories.

This balancing act—staying true to the story’s core while enhancing the audience’s experience—is not always straightforward. It requires deep thought about character motivations, pacing, thematic clarity, and emotional resonance. I want these stories to not only communicate their messages more powerfully but also to captivate and immerse readers and audiences in a way that leaves a lasting impression.

Taking this time to work through the feedback and revise with intention means my output here has slowed. But this is not a pause or a retreat—it’s a crucial step forward. By investing in this revision process, I am preparing these stories to be submitted again to the major contests that will open next year. These contests are more than competitions; they are a platform where exposure and recognition can translate into real opportunities to have my stories produced and brought to life on screen or stage.

I am incredibly grateful for your patience and ongoing support during this time. Writing can often be a solitary and sometimes frustrating endeavor, but knowing there are readers and supporters who believe in the stories and the process makes this journey worthwhile.

Looking ahead, I’m excited about sharing more frequent updates as these stories evolve and as I move closer to the production phase. I also plan to share insights about the rewriting process itself—what I’ve learned from the feedback, how I decide what to incorporate, and how I keep my voice intact while making the stories stronger.

Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. Stay tuned for new posts, new stories, and new explorations very soon.