With 2025 coming to a close, I know I’m supposed to fill this space with some kind of inspiring message. A look to the future. Words of wisdom, maybe.
I can’t really dole those out, though, when I could use them myself.
Don’t get me wrong — I’m not trying to be a Debbie Downer. But I’m going to be real. The year 2025 has been a challenging one for so many people, myself included. My social media feeds are filled with folks who are just trying to claw their way to the finish line after twelve months (or more) of stressful situations, confusing emotions, and general turmoil.
So, I guess the good news is two-fold. One: if the above resonates with you, you’re not alone. And two: we do have a chance, when the calendar page turns, at a fresh start. There are no guarantees, of course. There never are. But we can hope, and do our best to make the next year better than the last.
Because another chance to start again is a pretty good Christmas gift. Let’s not waste it.
Celebrate!
November 30th did pop up as a special date on the calendar this year: happy one year agent-anniversary to signing with the fabulous Rachel McMillan! Here’s to making beautiful books together.
In the Spotlight
Not sure why the default thumbnail has to be the one with my mouth open 😆, but here’s a reading of my poem “bare” for The Amazine, which published the piece earlier this year.
Ship of Sins
I feel honoured to be amongst such excellent company in the Winter 2025 issue of British Columbia History magazine! Pick up a digital or print copy to read all the articles, including my piece “Ship of Sins” which tells the story of the ship Heather Bell. Let’s just say the vessel brought more than foodstuffs when it arrived in Victoria in 1860! 🧐
Speaking of History
My workshop for the Victoria Genealogical Society is coming up on January 31! There’s still time to register for this hybrid event, “From Research to Story: Writing and Sharing Your Family History.”
You’ve compiled the names, dates, and places and gathered photographs. But how do you transform those facts and images into an engaging story?
In this workshop, we will review archival resources and types of materials to enrich your family story. Going beyond basic genealogical information, we will also explore setting, voice, and the use of nostalgia and details to add colour to your writing. We will also look at how to bring these elements together through real examples of strong storytelling from museums and archives, family historians, and other sources. Finally, we will discuss paths and platforms for sharing your story, from digital, no- or low-cost options, to printing and publishing.
Throwback
The Wise Owl team kindly reached out with an updated link for my poem, “Neighbourhood revisited,” which they published in October 2024. Since they did, it seemed like a great excuse to share the piece with you again.
Throwback, Part 2
I was doing some book sorting and rediscovered my childhood favourites. Turns out my shelf is all Black Stallion, Wizard of Oz, Nancy Drew, Robert Munsch, Winnie the Pooh, and Richard Scarry.
(That top floor is basically me in Paris, haha!)
What are your childhood classics?
Les Bouquinistes
I’m not sharing a specific book this month, but rather a tribute to Sophie Kinsella, author of her best-selling Shopaholic series, among many other titles.
Sophie inspired me (and so many others) to read and write and eventually become a published author. She will be missed.
As always, thanks for reading. Merci!
Sonia
Sonia Nicholson 