It’s that time of year again when we look back at the previous year and ponder what it taught us to help us move forward with our goals and aspirations for another year. This year I promise to try to keep this short.
I didn’t do a great deal of writing in 2025, yes I did dabble with a couple of ideas, but nothing that has really formed into anything substantial yet. I also played a little with a picture book manuscript that has been taunting me to write, but again, nothing has stuck with me to completion. I’m still not satisfied with it and know it needs more work or completely re-writing.
What have I learnt from this? Writing doesn’t always come easily or naturally and you can’t force it. I’ve tried letting my ideas marinate, I’ve gone for long walks in nature, taken road trips with hubby, but so far the muse doesn’t seem to want to appear. I have decided to call this my year of ‘wintering’ to quote Cate Whittle, a dear author friend of mine who also lives in Canberra. It’s ok to take a break and rest. I’m not giving up on my writing, just taking the time to rest and be good to myself and my health.
Walking in nature always fills my creative sprit.
A road trip and a fabulous hike to 3 waterfalls at Mt Buffalo, National Park Victoria
I’m hoping my wintering will soon melt into Spring this year, only time will tell. I have started the year with signing up for a couple of boosts in the way of creative inspiration, so we shall see. I have been following the Twelve Days of Christmas, by Melissa Gijsbers where each day she has given us a writing prompt. The Twelve Days of Christmas for Writers by Julie Hedland, where she has been focussing on looking back at our successes and failures etc from 2025 and considering what we can do to change that in 2026 and Storystorm by Tara Lazar in the hope of finding further inspiration to find my writing muse and a little bit of a motivating push in the (write) direction.
2025 did bring some successes. I discovered that overcoming my fear of public speaking, while nail-biting, was also achievable. I put myself in the uncomfortable position of talking to teachers and librarians at two functions. The first was the ALEA (Australian Literacy Education Association) Unconference here in Canberra and the second was a SCBWI event where again we spoke to teachers and librarians about our published books. What I learnt from these experiences is that I have more knowledge to share with graduate and newly experienced teachers than I realised. I was quite surprised to learn that many of these teachers still had no idea how to use a picture book in the classroom, not just for K-2, but years 3 - 6 as well. The same goes for chapter books with the younger year groups. There is always so much you can learn from books no matter the children’s age or year level. Now all I need to do is believe that I am capable of public speaking and try to relax and enjoy my session speaking at this year’s SCBWI ACT conference in March.
Speaking to teachers and Librarians at the ALEA UnConference in March 2025
Speakers with Teachers and Librarians at the SCBWI ACT Connecting with Creatives, June 2025
A highlight of the year was learning that Tracks in the Mist, the Adamson Adventures 4, was short-listed in this years ACT Writer’s Literary Awards. Being invited to the award ceremony was a wonderful honour and sharing the evening with so many incredible talented authors was a delight.
The six short-listed books in the older readers Children’s Books, ACT Writer’s Literary Awards.
So proud to have Tracks in the Mist recognised in the ACT Writer’s Literary Awards.
David Conley was also short-listed. We will be speaking together at the SCBWI ACT conference later this year.
I only managed one school visit this year. I always enjoy my time being back in schools as an author and treat it as a privilege to not only shine a light on my books, and encourage a love of reading but to also hopefully inspire teachers in how to use books in the classroom as a teaching tool not only for literacy but across the curriculum. Another thing I learnt was that my voice doesn’t last like it use to. I can’t project across the gymnasium any more. It’s time to ask for a microphone at the beginning of the day, not half way through.
A day as a visiting author at Curtin Primary School.
Speaking with all year levels K- 6, inspiring young readers.
2025 was a quiet year. A year to rest and regroup, gather my thoughts and focus on family and my health. 2026 may be the similar, but I intend to take ‘small steps’ forward. With each step taken, growth happens, in fitness and in health and also, hopefully in my writing. Who knows, I may even have another book to show for it by the end of the year. No promises.
How about you? What did you learn from 2025? Let me know in the comments seciton below.
If you found this post interesting or maybe even helpful, perhaps you may like to read and learn from what other blogger/author friends have learnt from the past year. Their links are listed below.
Julie Gorges - 2025 Journal Excerpts: Reflections and Renewal.
James Milson - My Year-End Reflection & Looking Ahead
Rosie Russell - Dear 2025: Reflections and Helpful Hints at Books by Rose