Plot Twists and Birthday Bliss: A Novel Celebration

Today marks the start of another journey around the sun. Despite it being my birthday, I started the day like any writer: a cup several cups of strong coffee and a determination to revise at least one scene.

Instead, I ended up reading the first chapter of Reclaim Your Author Career by Claire Taylor and planting eighteen sunflower seedlings into my garden. But hey, inspiration can strike anywhere, right?

If you love stories, gardening, and have birthday-related trauma, we’re basically the same person.

Somewhere along the years, I stopped making “big” birthday plans.

But I also refuse to waste a day hiding under the covers while hoping nothing devastating will happen.

So to celebrate today, I may visit a nursery and pick up something special to plant. Or, I may cajole my husband to help me finish putting together the rain barrel system I’m half finished with. I may even revise three scenes. And, since we’ve been granted a short, sunny window in our otherwise rainy May weather, I will also finally get a chance to mow my lawn. And maybe even one of the horses’ pastures too!

To the twenty-year-old version of me, a birthday full of chores and errands would have felt tragic. Plot twist, today’s me is grateful for a simple day to indulge in the things I love.

So, instead of sitting here, contemplating the little mysteries of life, like why I can only ever find my left gardening gloves or why my characters refuse to follow my outline, I’m basking in gratitude.

I’m grateful for the stories that have shaped my year. And for writer friends who cheer me on. I am thankful for the seeds, plants, soil, fungi, and worms that crowd my garden. For riding lawnmowers and audiobooks (an excellent combination). And not least, I’m grateful for the people who grow the magical beans that fuel my writing (and weeding) sessions.

So, here’s to another year of writing, reading, and eating the things I grow. Of weeding, planting, and chasing down pesky plot bunnies. To finishing Ink and Waves and starting on my next writing project. Cheers to time spent with writers, laughter, tears, and endless drafts.

And to all my fellow writers and readers, thank you for being part of my story.

The header photo is a composite image. Base image by Heather Barnes on Unsplash