Back from Writers on the River – and Grateful to Be Writing Again

I’m officially 12 weeks post-op—and finally starting to feel like myself again. My neurosurgeon even gave me the green light to attend Writers on the River last week, and I couldn’t be more thankful I made it.

The event was incredible. I had the chance to connect with so many wonderful readers and authors, and the energy in the room was electric. I kept meaning to take more photos, but (true to form) I got so caught up in the excitement, I completely forgot until the very end. 😅

This event supports a fantastic cause—Thistle Farms, which helps women survivors of trafficking, addiction, and abuse. My son joined me as my assistant, helping with all the heavy lifting and making the trip even more special.

It’s been over a decade since I was last in Illinois. Being back stirred up more memories than I expected—some bittersweet, others grounding. In a way, it reminded me of Sabine’s journey in The Dragon Portal series. She left home out of necessity, and returning will never be as simple as it once seemed.

Now that I’m home again (and reunited with my writing cave), I’m diving headfirst back into Book 6, fueled by gratitude, renewed energy, and just a touch of pixie mischief. There’s so much more magic ahead—and I can’t wait to share it with you.