My next novella is done. Under 50k and I'm so happy with it! It will sit on the shelf since it is a tie-in to the book I have coming out next year. Now, onto another project to get readers ready for that book, Spooky Action at a Distance. Hope all is well, and if not I hope it gets better. 🤎🤎🤎

Got my podcast face on. It's my first so expect awkwardness. Anxiety level is minimal since I'm at home. Keep an eye out on Uncanny Women Podcast for when it's available.

Another short ready to send out. That will make two this month! Wish me luck. 🤞

joiN US JOIN US JOIN US JOIN US (on Patreon!) 👥👥☁️🔥👥👥 We've got a TON of Patron exclusives this month: recipes, interviews, full critiques, a Rio photo tour, short story fanart, and more! Join the Apex Patreon today and become one of us . . . ONE OF US, ONE OF US 🛸⬇️ www.patreon.com/apexbookcomp...

I write to learn about myself, about humanity, about our world. I can't do that when something is telling me what and how to think, or create. So yeah, sorry but keep your Ai poison. I'm good with my brain. Oh yeah. #goodmorning.

I came up with a cool idea, with the help of my super brilliant publisher @candacenola.bsky.social for promo stuff for Spooky Action at a Distance. I will be working the rest of the year to make it happen. Wish me luck! Happy Wednesday! Hope all is well and if not, I hope it gets better. 🤎🤎🤎

Developing a fully rounded character within an 80k plus book is tough enough, so those of you that can do it in 5k or less are amazing! I'm working on it, but it is one hell of a challenge for me. Thanks to those that have been helping me out! I swear, I'll get it someday. 🤎🤎🤎

I wish I could stop time while reading a book so I can enjoy it without worrying about schedules and obligations. That is all. Happy #Friday

Have you ever had those days where you have to put on a silly comedy or rom-com after writing because your story pulled you into a pit of darkness? Yeah, me too.

One of my favorite parts of #Writing is when I'm in the development phase and the story starts to piece itself together at the oddest of times. (Not when I'm behind the computer screen, of course, because that would be too easy.) 🤎🤎🤎

Please continue to share and support this critical need. It will stay open for a little while longer as I am still being asked how people can help. Deeply grateful for all the help, kindness, and encouragement from everyone during this incredibly stressful time. 🖤

Cleaning up a short to submit , and reworking a query, (again) for my Wierdgirl cosmic horror book. Then some redlines and back to the novella. Thankfully I'm chalk full of writing energy after an amazing weekend with amazing people at #MoCon. Get up and get it. Love to all that needs some. 🤎🤎🤎

This month I’ll be talking about the ups and downs of using emotional suppression as a coping mechanism. In other words, turning off all emotions so my reactions are based on rational thought.

She's back, with a gorgeous spot gloss cover. I'm so happy! ♥️♥️♥️

Heading to an appointment to get my first ever passport because my partner is super paranoid about me traveling right now. On a brighter note, I can finally visit Mexico and Canada some day, so there's that. Stay safe my friends. 🤎🤎🤎

I reached 5k hours of writing in 6 years. Here are my writing stats: 3 books 2 Rough Drafts 2 Comprehensive Outlines 8 short stories 2 TTRPG freelance projects Numerous blog posts Publishing results TTRPG books Honorable Mention Award Blog Following 1 publishing contract On to the next 5k. 🤗

Back at the desk and starting to polish this novella. Yup. I did it, I finally wrote a damn novella. 54k words. Right? Right? Hope all is as well as it can be, and if not, I hope it gets better. #writing 🤎🤎🤎

See you all there. 😱

substack.com/@mainesplain... An eye-opening part 1 to very damning research findings about why there are so many diseased ticks, why barely any medical research has been done, and why the Lyme disease is so difficult to diagnose. Damning for the US federal government. #bioweapons #ticks

Hey hey! I finally got my website updated thanks to the lovely @sonorataylor.bsky.social - highly recommend her services! I love the new look - check it out if you're so inclined! Laurelhightower.com

Back at the desk and beating my head against it while working on another book. Why are beginnings so damn hard for me? Anyway, a few more bangs and hopefully I'll knock something free.

This month I’ll be ranting about how coping is leading to new adventures which are guiding me toward new ways of coping with neurodivergence.

Ahhh! I am so excited to announce this! I absolutely adore this story and am so glad I found a publisher that feels the same way. So excited to work with @cnola.author and the crew! Get ready lovelies cause this one is a trip. 👻👻😱🦁

"If you wrote something for which someone sent you a check, if you cashed the check and it didn't bounce, and if you then paid the light bill with the money, I consider you talented." - Stephen King I did it! I'm talented y'all! First ever check for writing. Whooo hooo! 🤗

I didn't make the finals but I got closer than I've ever been. Thanks to #killershorts and the readers for giving my monsters a chance. And if anyone is interested Harold aka Fed by Pain is still unpublished. (For now). 😉

I call this record Anxiety on vinyl, but it is great for writing intense prose.

Guess whose leaving the house this month! ☺️

Working on my freelance project and listening to #cosmicshenanigans with @marysangiovanni.bsky.social Happy #writing. Hope all is well, and if not, I hope it gets better.🤎🤎🤎

My dark short, Harold aka Fed by Pain, has made it's way to the next round! 🥳🥳🤯 Thanks to all the readers at #Killershorts for showing this monster some love. Cross your fingers for me please. The finals are next! 🤗🤗 (Ahhhhhh!)

Working on a freelance project and watching #theEndless for the umpteenth time. Sometimes life has its moments. Hope all is well in #writing world, if not, I hope it gets better. 🤎🤎🤎

This month I’ll be ranting about culling expectations with a machete. Life as a neurodivergent has its own list of rules and regulations, and it’s about time that I start dropping unnecessary burdens.

Thank you so much for the continued love for CLAIRVIOLENCE! 🖤🙏🏽🖤🙏🏽

Just signed a contract. 👀

Holy crap! I took a long shot last year with a short story and made the Quarter Finals! A lot of firsts for me this year. Ahhhhh! Wish me luck friends. #killershorts

Finished my first ever freelance project and got asked to do another. 😁 Being a geeky nerd is finally paying off. 🤣 But my brain is fried, so I think I'll spend the day watching indie horror movies and doing crossstitch. Hope all is well in #writing world. If not, I hope it gets better. 🤎 🤎🤎

Do it! I learned so much from these women in the past couple of years. From writing, to business and even a few tips on how to cope from the great @marysangiovanni.bsky.social herself.

Today, We honor P. M. Raymond. www.uncomfortablydark.com/post/02-07-2...

Magic comes from pain. Don't let it fester. Use it! You are magical!

5.5 hours to get my current chapter done. I don't know if it's the story or my brain trying to trudge through current events, but either way I did it! Hope all is well in #writing world. If not, I hope it gets better. PS. Congrats to all the Stoker nominees!

"The world is inherently unfair. Act accordingly" Summer Bishil as Margo Hanson The Magicians

Welcome back to A Writer in the Woods. I’m back and damn how I missed you! This month I’ll be ranting about coping while crazy. I know, you can’t use that word, but I did, and honestly, I am feeling it.

Getting back into editing mode after a few months. Yeah, it's a different mind set indeed, but I'll get it back. Hope all is well in #writing land. If not, I hope it gets better.

Revisions done. Next up edits. With any luck, this next book will be ready to query by spring. Who knew that death metal and piss could be used as weapons? 🤣🤣

Me getting ready to write a new story. 😈

Share a witch with good style. 🧙‍♀️👗

Just finished a rough draft for the Overlook anthology open call. I know, one in a million shot but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take so...Anyway, it's dark, a bit sad and I'm proud I did it no matter what. Now to let it sit before cleaning it up. Hope all is well.

Moment of peace

Finished the pass on my first book...again and now I'm shelving it until I can figure out next steps for it. Felt good to actually see the growth. Don't give up my friends, with or without recognition, our words matter. 🤎🤎🤎

Finally sat down to watch The Long Walk. It was one of my favorite stories when I was younger. I started crying about an hour in and by the end I was in full on body sobs. Damn that story kicks my ass every time. I won't be watching it again anytime soon, but I really loved the adaptation.