it's been a good while since i've last posted anything here on stacker news, and my reasons for going dark are now here.

here are some fun things i've been doing as of late:

they always say your first 1-2 drafts are the brain dump of your story, and it was.

to the fullest actually.

the first one was more of the outlining and chapter by chapter breakdown.

i consider this a first draft because it was a full bullet by bullet breakdown of everything i wanted to happen throughout the plot, for the characters, and for the worldbuilding.

a messy disaster of course, but something to work with was finally in full. on paper.

the second one? the first half of the book was completely written out.

again, another disaster but at least the characters were actually doing something. but hey, it's on paper and had a structure to it.

the third one?

really liking how it's coming together. the characters aren't annoying me anymore, the worldbuilding feels cinematic, and third person is easier than first. i have also come to realize writing scenes that intuitively come to me and then stitching the plot together is helping the writing move along faster, is alot more fun, and neater to do.

my reviews need to be written still, but here are some titles i think you all would find interest in!

Alchemised by SenLinYu

listen, i hardly ever read anything fan fiction related (this used to be an HP one), but this was a masterpiece. if any of you like morally grey characters, necromancy and alchemy, the spoils of a war and afterward, and in depth magic and worldbuilding, this is for you.

would give this 100 stars.

I Could Give You The Moon by Ann Liang ( to be released in April of 2026, was gifted an early e-copy by the publisher).

So this is actually a follow up to Ann Liang's other book, If You Could See The Sun. I didn't read the first one since she has explicitly stated you don't need to read the first one in order to read this one. This is a Speculative Romance YA for readers or audiences who like international schools, characters with well thought out backgrounds and motives, and a fun plot to follow.

4.5 // 5

Red City by Marie Lu (released today, October 14th, 2025)

(was gifted an early e-copy by the publisher and by Marie Lu at SDCC)

a contemporary fantasy book set in fictional los angeles with underground alchemy guilds that basically rule the world. the main character is awesome, and so are the side characters. it took a bit to get me into this book, about 35% of the way through, but what did it for me was the unique magic system and the take no bullshit characters which developed nicely.

think Full Metal Alchemist meets The GodFather.

5 // 5

current reads:

The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab

I about 10% of the way into this, and I already know this is going to make me cry rivers by the end. imagine having to meet people over the span of three centuries because you made an immortal deal with the devil only for them to forget you every time you meet them.

sad, and depressing, but makes for a great story.

so, yeah. that's life as of late.

on top of being recently engaged and trying to plan a wedding for the next year and a half.

i'm not exactly sure how often i'll be writing here again. this might be my only post for now, or i might be posting again sooner rather than later. life has been a rollercoaster, even more so with all the happenings as of late.

hope all of you stackers are doing well though!

let me know in the comments what you've been up to. would love to hear it. :)

take care,