Hi! It’s been on my mind to send out a monthly newsletter with my writing (mis)adventures, the serious food research in downtown restaurants that I’ve been doing for my next book, as well my monthly column, Still Practicing, in our diocesan paper. So if you’re looking to feel better about not reaching your goals as we watch mine come and go together, discover your new favorite cup of coffee in the downtown Madison area, or read about someone’s feeble attempts to live a life of faith, you’re in the right spot.

A Monthly Challenge

I’m a sucker for a good resolution–or challenge, as I like to call them. It seems less permanent! My first challenge for myself started in the New Year, after I was confronted with a totally upsetting end-of-the-year daily screen report. Astronomically high screen use prompted me to institute a No-Scroll 2025 for myself. But let’s not be dramatic: it’s really a Less-Scroll 2025. It’s silly to resolve to do the impossible.

Another monthly challenge that I decided on is to send a monthly newsletter for the rest of the year. That’s something that no one’s asked for, but I intend to stay faithful to sending out an update at the end of each month.

The Weather

Speaking of months, I am so grateful that it’s almost May. Spring here in Wisconsin got off to a slow start. After a long February (Proof that God Loves Us, Even in February), we had such a gray March and April that when the sun came out last week, it startled me. I’d forgotten it was up there.

A bright spot in early spring, though, was a tour of our local parish fish fries. And by the time I’d finally finished my naturally dyed Easter eggs, Easter and the sun had arrived.

Writing Goals Come and Gone

In the New Year, I’d also made a goal of writing the sequel of Write in Time by the end of March. To make it extra official, I’d texted my writer friend and told her that if I finished my rough draft by March 31st, I’d take her out for coffee. Unfortunately, that deadline came and went. I took my friend to coffee anyway, but it was far less celebratory–still fun, though. It’s looking like I might be able to finish by the end of May.

I recently attended an event for all the authors who had been read at a local book club for the club’s tenth anniversary. Being in a room with about thirty other local writers was a real shot in the arm in terms of motivation and inspiration. I had such a great time catching up with old writer friends and meeting new ones that I didn’t get any good pictures of the event.

Food Research: Wonderstate

In late winter, I visited Wonderstate on Cap Square, which will be the setting for a first date. I decided that the adventurous female love interest would order a flat white with candied orange. It was the right choice. I carefully jotted down tasting notes–caramelized orange and slightly bitter coffee and sweet foam, perfection!–and also looked intently out the window without doing a whole lot of writing. I may just have to go back and actually write the scene now.

Here’s a giant picture of my coffee because I can’t figure out how to resize it.

Hopes for Next Month

By this time next month, I hope I can celebrate a finished rough draft for real. I’ll report back and let you know how it went.

I hope you’re able to get out and enjoy the sun, now that it’s finally here. And thanks for being with me during this year’s monthly challenge. If you have any goals for yourself this year, I’d love to hear about them!

-Meg