2025 in Review

Hello, everyone!

I hope you had a happy Hanukkah, Christmas, or whatever you celebrate this season, and I hope you have a happy New Year!

I just thought I’d send a quick email like I have the last couple of years, sharing a quick recap of 2025.

Writing in 2025

What I accomplished:

• I reached two years of posting and 30 emails on my newsletter.

• I finished the third draft of The Phoenix Pendant.

• I finished the first draft of Project: Sci-Fi.

• I had my first short story, Treaty of Vengeance, published!!

• I wrote 169,000 words.

What I learned:

• Seasons of Writing: We all move through different seasons in life, and that’s okay. Sometimes we’re in love with writing and getting so much done; other times we’re exhausted and barely manage a word. Both seasons and everything in between are valid. Don’t push yourself to the point of burnout.

• Writing Craft: My writing has improved so much this year—from my prose to my overall plotting. With each project and with every new draft, I feel like I’m learning more simply through practice. On top of that, I read a few excellent writing craft books this year, which made a big difference.

If you’re a writer, what have you been working on this year? I’d love to celebrate your wins, no matter how small, with you!

Reading in 2025

Number of Books Read: 46

Number of books read per genre:

• Fantasy: 20

• Romance: 7

• Mystery/Thriller: 7

• Other: 12

Favorite reads of the year:

• The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (YA mystery/thriller)

• While We’re Young by K.L. Walther (YA romance)

• Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas (YA fantasy)

• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (YA contemporary)

• Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross (YA fantasy)

• A First Time For Everything by K.L. Walther (YA romance)

• Glorious Rivals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (YA mystery)

• Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson (YA mystery/thriller)

• Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter (YA romance)

• Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maeher (NA fantasy)

Books I read this year that will make it onto my all-time favorite list:

• The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

• Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson

If you want any star ratings or content labels for any of these book, let me know, and I’ll happily send them to you! I’d love to hear what you read this year and which ones made the top of the list!

Life in 2025

Highlights of 2025:

• I went to Arizona twice, the first time by myself (it was my first time flying alone) and the second time for Thanksgiving with my dad’s side of the family.

• I turned 17 and started my (sorta) senior year.

• I started taking college classes.

• I drove in the snow and did not die or crash. (I personally feel this is a major highlight.)

• My family got a Christmas tree for the first time!!!

• I performed in two plays— Beauty and the Beast Jr. and Aladdin Jr.

• I went to a writing retreat for the first time and met my online friends from the Young Writers’ Workshop.

• I started playing on my youth group worship team and volunteering with the little kids on Sundays, which has been so fun.

What have you been up to this year? I’d love to hear some of your highlights!

Thank you and happy New Year!

Thank you so much for being part of my newsletter community! Your support means so much to me. ❤️ 

Here’s to 2026 being the best year yet!

What were the highlights of 2025 for you? What’s your favorite thing you read this year? Let me know by replying directly to this email or leaving me a comment on the website that corresponds to The Introverted Writer!

Thank you so much for reading, and happy New Year!

Abby Henderson