Coming Back Again and Again

I’ve lived a life full of pauses—gaps between experiences. Friends scattered across the world I wouldn’t see for years. Weeks away from home, then returning to my people. Long breaks from work—the nature of teaching means stepping away from the building, the students, the rhythm.

And every time, I’d feel a bit nervous about the return. Would the students still be the same? Would faraway friends and family welcome me back as before? What shape would home be in after my absence?

The learning

But after so much practice, I’ve learned this: the key to a good return is going in with a good attitude and an open heart. Trusting that I can pick up where I left off—that I have what I need to do the job, keep the connection, and enjoy the process of coming back.

In partnership writing

So—how does this relate to writing? Well, Counios and Gane had the most legitimate and heartbreaking reasons to pause. If you’ve been following us, you already know. But now—we’re back. Mornings are once again filled with meetings, reviews, and debates over story points. When I got David’s message to begin meeting after his necessary time to heal, I was genuinely excited! It felt like the first day back at school. I even woke up early, had breakfast, and got ready before our meeting just to be fully present.

And my takeaway? If I approach our writing partnership the same way I approach other returns in life—with enthusiasm and love—getting back to it feels pretty wonderful. I’m reminded of all the successes, and all the joy that comes from creating something I (and hopefully Dave) am proud of.

A scheduled day doesn’t have to feel boring or rigid. It can be productive, grounding—even freeing. Paired with a good attitude, I’d say we’re absolutely on track for a brilliant ending to the Shepherd and Wolfe series with our last book in the series Wolfe’s Blood.

And for me

All these thoughts also apply to my own writing. Every new start, even with experience, has its own share of the butterflies, but as long as I believe in myself (and my editor) the butterflies are pretty magical too.

As always—thank you for reading, Lovelies.