Where My Writing Has Been Taking Me Lately

There’s something about the start of a new year that invites a bit of reflection. Not the big, sweeping resolutions kind, but the quieter kind. The where am I at, really? kind.

As this first blog post of the year, it feels like the right moment to pause and check in on my writing, my stories, and the direction they’ve been pulling me lately.

But here's the thing. Writing has never really been a neat, orderly process for me.

It’s messy, a little unpredictable, and very much tied to whatever season of life I’m in. Some days the words flow easily. Other days… not so much. And lately, I’ve been reminding myself that both of those days still count.

Over the past little while, I’ve made the decision to slow down and spend more time with Tides of Change. Not because anything was ‘wrong’ with it, but because it deserved more space. You know those stories that keep tapping you on the shoulder when you think you’re ready to move on? That’s been this one. It kept pulling me back, asking for a little more depth, a little more honesty, a little more care.

I used to think writing meant pushing through at all costs, finish the draft, hit the deadline, move on to the next shiny idea. But I’m learning that some stories don’t want to be rushed. They want you to sit with them. To listen. To let the characters change their minds (and sometimes yours too). Tides of Change has been that kind of book, and I’m glad I finally stopped hurrying it along.

My writing process itself is… flexible, let’s say. I plan things out, I make outlines, I convince myself I know exactly where a story is going, and then a character does something unexpected and suddenly I’m rewriting half the book. It can be frustrating, but it’s also one of my favourite parts of writing. That moment when the story feels bigger than you, like you’re discovering it rather than forcing it.

At the same time, I’ve been thinking ahead to my next release, Van Life with Benefits. This one has a very different feel, lighter, playful, full of movement and connection. Working on it alongside Tides of Change has been a good reminder that every book asks for something different. Some want quiet reflection. Some want momentum and fun. Both are important, and both keep me excited about what I do.

Looking back on 2025, I can see how much of this shift has been shaped by travel and learning. My solo writing retreat in Bali gave me something I didn’t realise I’d been missing, space. Space to write, yes, but also space to think, to listen, to be reminded why I love storytelling in the first place. There’s something about being far from home, notebook in hand, that loosens expectations and lets creativity breathe again.

Travel has a way of doing that.

It shakes things up, challenges assumptions, and quietly slips new ideas into your work when you’re not looking. I learned a lot last year, not just about writing, but about patience, perspective, and trusting the slower, more meandering path.

Those lessons have found their way onto the page, whether I planned for them to or not.

People often ask what writing actually looks like day to day, and the truth is, it looks a lot like real life. It’s writing through self-doubt. Rereading a paragraph five times because something feels off, even if you can’t explain why. It’s trusting your instincts, second-guessing them, and then trusting them again. It’s celebrating the small wins, because those are what carry you through the harder days.

At the heart of it all, writing is about connection for me. I love the idea that somewhere, someone might read these stories and feel seen. That a moment, a feeling, or a character might resonate in a quiet, personal way. When I choose to slow down with a book like Tides of Change, that’s really who I’m thinking about, the reader on the other side of the page.

So as this new year unfolds, I’m leaning into this season of writing. Giving stories the time they need. Letting myself enjoy the process instead of racing through it. And looking ahead with excitement to sharing my latest release Van Life with Benefits before the Easter holidays begin.

And if there’s one thing I’m carrying forward into this year, it’s this: life is complicated, creativity rarely behaves, and sometimes the most important breakthroughs happen after a strong cup of tea and a quiet moment of self-awareness. Preferably followed by laughter, grace, and the comforting knowledge that nobody really has it all figured out anyway.

Which, if you ask me, feels like a pretty good place to start!

Sarah x

Van Life with Benefits is coming just before the Easter holidays, perfect for travel, time off, and those moments when real life can wait five more pages.

I'd love to know your thoughts on the cover! I'm just in love with the colours!

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