Words & Waiting
Catch up on all the things
Welcome Flame Keeper! Come read about what’s new around here~
Hello friend, I hope this newsletter finds you well & cozy with your favorite cup of tea and set of Christmas lights nearby. It’s been a long time since I’ve posted a newsletter—and I mean a long time. But I’m excited to be back!
What you can expect to read in this newsletter:
2025: the year of ‘Wait’
My first Book Con
Reading Recap
Anime Recap
Writing Update
DOQ Book 2 Sneak Peek Excerpt
Spotlight!
2025: the year of ‘Wait’
“This is the most precious answer God can give us: wait. It makes us cling to him rather than to an outcome. God knows what I need; I do not. He sees the future; I cannot. His perspective is eternal; mine is not. He will give me what is best for me when it is best for me.”
― Vaneetha Rendall Risner
Recently in life and in the writing scene, God’s been calling me to wait. Halt. Put it down. Be patient.
First, it was with my novella One Year Until Forever. Then it was finding out I’d have to wait even longer for my family to move back here. And then multiple life events that were supposed to happen, LAST WEEK, were pushed back until literally God knows when.
Surprisingly, I’m not as bummed out as I thought I’d be, but it is kind of mind-boggling. Many of the things—the things that were supposed to make 2025 this big BIG year for me—just aren’t going the way I planned. If I didn’t know the Lord—and that He moves in very mysterious ways lol—these things would’ve sent me into a spiral.
But how I love the creator who loves me so deeply.
Who has the utmost care for my soul.
He knows exactly what is right for me. He makes me rest in green pastures and leads me beside still waters. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, everywhere, all at once. I trust my God to lead me no matter how tough this thing called life gets. No matter how many ‘you gotta wait’s get thrown my way. I know my God is good, and I know that will never change.
“At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.”
—Isaiah 60:22
My first Book Convention:
I attended Fantasy Forge Book Con as an author recently in the Smoky Mountains, which was a dream! I had no idea what to expect since it was my first convention, but everything was planned out so well by its founder E.L. Canney.
There was a ton of preparation that went into getting my booth & books ready, but it was so worth it in the end! I met so many awesome authors and readers with whom I got to have lots of meaningful conversations with. It’s definitely an experience I’ll never forget.
Also, I just adore the mountains! Don’t you?
Reading Recap:
I’ve literally neglected this newsletter since March, so be prepared for a list of my reads from this year! (Not like it’ll be long anyway because I am the slowest reader on the planet!)
Finished reads:
These Mending Hearts (Beta) by Melody Faith
Rating: ★★★★★
Sincerely, Secretary of Doom (High Court of the Coffee Bean #2) by Jennifer Kropf
Rating: ★★★★★
Wanted: A Roommate Who Isn’t Evil (High Court of the Coffee Bean #3) by Jennifer Kropf
Rating: ★★★★★
The Sound of Silence by Hannah Gaudette
Rating: ★★★★★
TSoS Review on GoodreadsThe Size of a Mustard Seed by Val Melvis
Rating: ★★★★
TSOAMS Review on GoodreadsPracticing the Way by John Mark Comer
Rating: ★★★★★
Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely by Lysa TerKeurst
Rating: ★★★★★
Unfinished books:
On Magic & Miracles: A Theological Guide to Discerning Fictional Magic by Marian A. Jacobs
Reason: This book is so rich in content, I legit have to go through it slowly to really soak it in! I’ll be here for a while but I’m excited.
Soul-Bound by Hannah Yeaman
Reason: I’m absolutely adoring this book but I couldn’t get it finished in time before Novel Writing Month, so it’s on hold.
Fake Dating A Human 101 (High Court of the Coffee Bean #4) by Jennifer Kropf
Reason: This is literally my favorite series ever and I’ve grown so attached to these characters, I’m so sad to finish the series. So I think I’ll take my time haha
Current Read:
*a super secret ENDORSMENT read*
This read will most likely be my last read of the year, but I am so EXCITED to dive into it!
Top 5 anticipated books on my TBR:
#1 Unborn Rising—Tracey Barski
#2 Soul-Bound—Hannah Yeaman
#3 Inheriting Armageddon—R.D.G Lover
#4 These Hallowed Binds—A.M Daylin
#5 Fake Dating A Human 101- Jennifer Kropf
Anime Recap:
Finished Anime:
Attack On Titan: ★★★★★
best storytelling anime out there, also some of the best storytelling ever across all media
Horiyama: ★★★
(-2★ for the weird 3 episodes about the ab*se kink???)
Continuing Anime:
My Hero Vigilantes S1: ★★★★.5
-.5 for mild fan service; other than that, storyline is pretty good
Solo Leveling S2: ★★★
story was kind of boring for a solid 7 episodes out of 12 lol but we love Jinwoo
Apothecary Diaries S2: ★★★★
not as good as S1 but still very entertaining
Frieren S1: ★★★★★
LOTR vibes, the best cast of characters, wholesome, funny, epic
My Hero S8 (current): ★★★★★
the battles are crazy
Spy X Family S1, 2, and 3 (current): ★★★★★
the best example of found family ever, the best characters, love the slight WW2 influence on the show
DNF:
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
Reason: Lots of unnecessary fan service & honestly was kind of all over the place
Windbreaker
Reason: Way too cringe
Writing Update:
This month, I decided to join JesusWriMo—a NanoWrimo alternative for Christian writers—to get me back into the swing of drafting. I’m utilizing this challenge to continue my Fantasy Series: The Daughters of Qila.
I set myself a goal of 30K words (or to finish one of the characters’ storylines, whichever comes first). I have passed 10K words! It may not seem much, but that’s a lot for me, considering it’s been so hard to write anything this year. So if you’d like to cheer me on as I attempt to reach the rest of my goal before this crazy month is over, I’ll be posting updates on my Instagram periodically (my IG handle is the same as my Substack).
Project Blade (aka the Daughters of Qila Book 2) Sneak Peek Excerpt
I continued my survey of the place. White-washed buildings stood around us and sand dusted the walkways. Every person we passed wore ivory garments; the only other colors were sewn into the hem and sleeve cuffs in intricate patterns.
Some had patterns of green, some blue, some purple, and some gold.
“What exactly is the significance of the colors on your clothing?” I asked Zayn.
He took a moment to respond. “It signifies which sector you work in. History is purple. Earth-thinking is green. Blue is reserved for the inventors. And gold helps balance the three to tackle world issues. However, we all wear white because we all do this work unto the King who has given us the gift of knowledge.”
Fascinating. My mind spiraled into a million other questions that needed asking, but one look at Zayn and I could tell he wanted nothing more than to be left alone.
Besides, if I were going to ask more questions, I’d need to find a notebook first.
Spotlight:
I’d like to spotlight my sweet friend Melody Faith, whose debut novella, These Mending Hearts, is coming out next month! Melody has already published once before: a sweet poetry collection about God’s promises called Birdsong, which she published last year. Melody is one of my longest bookstagram friends and has been such an encouragement to me over the past two years. I am filled with joy to be able to watch her publish her novella after seeing her show up and work hard despite the ups and downs of life. Also, getting to meet her earlier this year was a dream. She’s comfort, sweetness, and fun all summed up into one person and I’m so sad we don’t live closer. (Seriously, what’s up with everyone living in so far away? haha).
These Mending Hearts, A Much Ado About Nothing retelling, comes out December 14th! Please show her some love and support in accomplishing such a big feat!
And that’s all for now, friends! Thanks for sticking around until the end. Have a wonderful week ahead! Please keep me in your prayers & as will I, you <3
Thank you for reading, Flame Keeper! Until next time,
—Tania, the storyteller & Flame Keeper
Love this update, Tania!! <33