I know this is such a popular and highly regarded book, but I am still BLOWN AWAY

it's time to start drafting a new book!! after spending 2025 mostly editing, I am so excited to dive into this new idea

SHE SAID IT WAS HARD TO PUT DOWN AND FASCINATING

I sent my book to my grandma to read last month. She said she would start it after the holidays, and then didn't say anything else so I figured she hadn't started yet turns out she's done... and now I am nervous because I was not able to properly prepare myself for her reaction

Who's started making their pitches for #foodpit?? In case you haven't, you can always compare the characters in your book to food Is your MC spicy? Fruity (either way)? Do they bend like noodles? Are they raw? Whatever makes your character interesting, explore it through food! #writingcommunity

We are one day closer to #foodpit on 2/7! Todays pitch idea is: sharing food from your book (real or made up). It can be a home cooked meal , a type of berry they turn into a wine offering, or just a plain grilled cheese if that's what your world has! #writingcommunity

due to an unexpected turn of events I am looking for 1-2 more beta readers for my project: A GODDESSES BLESSING If you are interested in fantasy with a heavy dose of trauma please let me know! the goal for final feedback to be in by ~ 2/9 #writingcommunity #betareaders #beta #amediting

After a 3 week break from writing, I have found that 2 weeks is my maximum I am starting to go a little stir crazy

I may or may not be a part of the team behind this 👀 if you have any poetry laying around make sure to send it in!

everyone get ready! #writingcommunity #amwriting #foodpit

Pitch your WIP badly in one sentence. Here's mine: A girl with murderous rage tries to kill one person while leaving the rest of the world intact (but fails) #amwriting #writingcommunity

I am not sure what constitutes the difference between "visited here" and "stayed here" so I only counted it as a stay if I was there for more than 2 nights

It’s dangerous working across from an art store, because on my break I think I‘ll take a quick little stroll and find myself in the yarn aisle

some times i am worried that my dreams are happening too slow and other times I write "I want to become apart of a lit. mag team this year" and the next day I find out a friend started on this fall and wants some help

instead of doing anything productive make your 26 for 2026 list

my finished 25 for 2025 8 isn't bad right?

I made it to 219!

I thought the airport would be busier on a post holiday Saturday morning, but there was no one in tsa or bag check so now I have over an hour until my flight even starts boarding I’m on page 140 of my book, time to see how much I can get through

last year when I went to the movies every trailer was for a sequel, remake, or live action This year there was only one sequel I don’t know what changed in the movie industry, but I would call that progress

I crocheted a top for a Christmas party today and my sister asked where I got it… mission accomplished

a year and 87k words later I am so proud of where this book has ended up. like genuinely I can't believe that this is a world that I crafted by myself This year I wasn't able to accomplish as much as I wanted to, but these past few months with this book have helped remind me all I am capable of

yall... this book is done

i have been working on the same two projects for over a year now and it's a bit wild to think in less than a month I will be switching to something new a little exciting, a little scary

Some times writing is easy and straightforward. Other times you ask yourself "what do leaves say?"

onto the last few touch ups of A GODDESSES BLESSING before I send it off to the first round of beta readers and I feel like there is a million things to do and nothing at the same time still on track(ish) to get it out Friday morning before my flight though!

check your analytics, they said... it will be fun, they said...

Welcome to week two of reviving my forgotten about poetry prompts! This weeks prompt is: comparing your body to nature To see where I took it make sure to read my full post! If you make anything yourself, tag me in it! #poetry #writingcommunity haileysforest.substack.com/p/week-2-of-...

sometimes i forget how nice it is to have a day off until i remember how much writing i can do now

ATTENTION READERS! The main character, Nisa, in my book A GODDESSES BLESSING is disabled and I would love to get a diverse range of opinions and that aspect of her life If you are a disabled writer or reader and want to help with some feedback please let me know!

i really wish i could be an audiobook person, because it would allow me to read a lot more throughout the year Unfortunately, i just cannot pay attention to an audio book for the life of me

on the first week of writing prompts Hailey gives to you: Writing about ❄️icicle eyes❄️ My poem is posted below! If you decide to join in make sure to tag me in your post! Happy writing

at 90k words, the next draft of A GODDESSES BLESSING is done! Now I just have to line edit and then it's off to betas I'm hoping to fully finish and send it out by the 19th when I go on vacation... wish me luck

I will also say, I would love to swap support and feedback with other authors! So if you have a manuscript nearing completion (or already done) and want some advice while also learning through reading other peoples work, please let me know! #writingcommunity #authors #books #writers

In order to finish the edits of GODDESS in time, I need to write 5k words in the next two days. Which is low enough that it's possible but high enough that I want to give up already

I am glad I was speeding through edits of GODDESS this week, because I have done NOTHING this weekend

it is time to start my December Failed Poetry Challenge, where I finish my abandoned poetry ideas! This weeks inspiration is: icicle eyes If you decide to join in and make your own poem or edit/add to mine, make sure to tag me in the post! haileysforest.substack.com/p/how-to-tur...

have I hit a lull with edits because I have been overloaded with work this week or because I am lazy and unmotivated? Who knows!

the question is do i reread and do some final edits on my school paper or submit it as is because I only need >50% to pass the class?

ATTENTION #writingcommunity I am looking for 3-4 readers for this dark dual-pov fantasy! If you want to beta read, or swap support, please comment below! #authors #writers #books

This month was not the greatest in terms of poetry. But I still got a few done, and my unfinished ideas have motivated me to try something new... In December I will finish all my 'failed' ideas, but if you want to read the ones that blossomed click below haileysforest.substack.com/p/november-p...

I feel like GODDESSwip is a peanut butter cookie. I don't know why, it just makes sense

In October I read a pretty bad book, but instead of giving it away, I decided to try something new I went through and edited the poems to be in my image, and learned a lot along the way. Which turned out to be a lot of fun and a great writing exercise! www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYoP...

Today's writing goal is to edit 7 chapters of GODDESSwip Any guesses on how many I do or how long it takes me?

My first official substack post will be coming this weekend, but I figured I would share this now in case you want to read the backlog! haileysforest.substack.com

Sometimes I think I am a writer just so I can make up people that can't get mad at me

it's really cool when you finish the hard edits of your book and get to move onto the easy stuff. Like last week I was reworking the ending and adding 2 new chapters, this week I am figuring out if I want to change this side characters name because a book I am currently reading uses it

There are some people I am convinced are NPCs Especially this guy who has an eagles(the football team) shine on top of his car and he will blast bird nosies and the fight song. Like I see him at least once a week and am convinced he does nothing but drive around. HOW COULD HE BE REAL

I decided to skip writing to watch sports this morning... I shouldn't have let myself get invested

That is a wrap on the developmental edits of GODDESSwip! Somehow I managed to get it done in a month Now to add 2 more chapters and fix a few small things before line edits!

made an 'oops all food' moodboard for KNEADING ANSWERS #agents if you want cooks with a side of slow burn romance and a serving of cozy mystery, keep an eye out for this contemporary romance in your inbox! #amquerying