Today is officially the last day of summer. You can tell me that technically summer doesn’t end until sometime in September, but no, today is the last day of summer. Tomorrow starts the Fall 2025 semester. And thus ends my Summer 2025 writing challenge.

Here are some perhaps long-awaited updates:

1. Project Resurrection (crime fiction/suspense novel)

I read through the entire thing and I determined that it actually has a lot of work that needs to be done on it. There’s a plot line I need to do better at weaving through. I’ve started work on that and I’m about a few chapters in. I would love to see this draft (Draft 4) completed by the end of the year. 

Honestly, this novel has been what I could call “ground zero” for my writing. It’s taught me a lot about what it looks like to write a novel, how to edit and revise, and I’m still constantly learning.

2. Project Abernathy (college mystery/treasure hunt)

I finished Draft 1! It came to around a total of 55,000 words, which in novel terms is very short. Most novels fall within the 90,000 word range. I made a list of all of the plot points I need to deepen/develop further and I’ve been taking a nice break from this world. They say it’s good to take a few months break between drafts, so hopefully I’ll be ready to pick it back up again in the coming months.

3. Project Hawkins

This story idea actually came to me in May of 2024 when I was visiting family in Hawaii. On a whim one night last month, I started writing it. It has been so much fun to get to know these characters and this world. It actually follows the family of one of the side characters from Project Resurrection (see above). One of the things I noticed about Project Resurrection was that I don’t know my side characters as well as I should, so I decided to take some time diving into their stories. This project (Project Hawkins) may turn out to be an actual novel, or it could simply remain as a training ground for me to get to know my characters better. 

4. Reading

I’ve read a total of 11 books this summer and I recently started my 12th (but I can assure you I will not be finishing it by Monday morning). It’s been exciting to have time to read what I want to read, and jump around to other books as my reading mood changes.

Overall, it’s been a really good summer, but I’m looking forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for the Fall semester! I’m hoping to write and share more blog posts here as I shift gears from more of my creative writing to non-fiction, academic writing assignments. I still plan to work on my creative writing, but it may have to take a bit of a backseat as I focus on my PhD coursework again.

Let me know what you’re looking forward to for the upcoming season!