I’m writing this little update on the precipice of an almost-done phase for my third novel, Only in Istanbul.  It is very close to completion and in a heavy editing and proofreading phase.  I’m about a week from handing it to my editor for the final very important detailing of the affair.

This novel has been a couple years in the making. After completing One Dance in Greece, I picked up the draft I wrote in late 2023 in December 2024, thinking it would be an easy uplift, but that idea was very quickly thwarted.  The writing and some of the story needed heavy surgery and though it has been more work than I expected, it has highlighted to me how far I have come as a writer and editor.

That is good ultimately news. My hope is that my writing will continually improve. I love the process even if at times it’s a slog. It is a great joy and a lifelong dream to write fun entertaining novels.

Only in Istanbul is a Synergy romance but, despite its title, the story isn’t as heavily travel based as the first two.  It was a challenge to focus more on the character’s relationship and less on travel and glamor. It’s also been a challenge to capture the characters’ voices. For some reason, my main character, Martin, was a little shy with me and true to his character, likes to take his time.  My other main character, Raven, on the other hand, wanted to barrel through it all without letting anyone slow her down. The tension in their relationship was definitely reflected in my process. I re-learned the value of patience and really appreciate that sometimes things just need to marinate.

A lot of LIFE and growth has also slowed me down, too. It’s hard to know exactly where to begin and to keep this email on the short side I’ll share the key points.

I have started painting again and I find it as fulfilling and beautiful as ever.  I look back now and know that I needed the hiatus to create momentum and confidence for writing my first novels. Now that my writing has a life and process of its own, I feel like I have more time. Painting balances my creativity. I love falling back on it. Here’s my most recent painting: It’s in Your Energy. 

Here’s some works in progress for fun too:

My husband and I are settling part-time in Bozeman, Montana where we have spent over half of this year dreaming, climbing, skiing, hot springing and rekindling our relationship as part-time empty nesters.

We are building my dream studio shed on our property here. It’s a beautiful footprint, feels like more space than I need, and I’m looking forward to filling it with all the things that inspire me. I almost cannot believe that I will have a permanent, dedicated-to-me, place to write and paint. Not in a van, camp chair, on a couch, at my small desk nook, on my cell phone in the airport, or in a garage, but in a real-life permanent space of my own that’s even better than the basement studio I had before covid.

I’m a little overwhelmed that it’s finally manifesting.  Does this mean that I have to start taking myself more seriously?  Maybe it does, and maybe that’s a good thing.

We’ll see. I’ll keep you updated. 😊

Thanks for sticking around for the ride with me.

Until next time,

Marika