I’m really sorry I haven’t been on here in a while. I’ve been going through a lot lately, family stuff, things with my condo board, working a lot, and just trying to take care of myself. I’ve been experiencing a bit of a bout of depression, and honestly, it’s all been a little overwhelming.

But I have been writing. And weirdly, I think feeling a little depressed can sometimes be an asset to my writing, depending on the scene. 😂 So I’m still getting away into my little world whenever I can.

I’m actually getting pretty close to finishing the first draft, and I seriously cannot wait to announce that to you guys. I’ve also been talking with my artist, although they’re going through some things themselves right now, so there’s been a bit of a lag with the artwork they’ve been working on for me.

I guess we’re all going through a lot of shit right now. If you’re going through something too, I hope you know you’re not alone. I’m right there with you, and I hope we all make it out okay.

I know I’ll get through this. I’ve been through difficult periods a few times in my life, and I always come out okay in the end. So don’t worry about me. I’m going to be okay.

I just want you guys to know that I’m still working on it. I haven’t forgotten about you, and I definitely haven’t forgotten about this book. This is probably the greatest project I’ve ever taken on in my life, and finishing it means so much to me.

Thank you for sticking around. ❤️

Here’s this week’s writing update!

One of the biggest changes I made to Ties of the Lost this week was giving one of my existing characters a POV. It wasn’t part of my original plan, but when I got to this point in the story, it just felt right. It’s funny how a book can still surprise you, even when you’re 75% of the way through writing it.

I also have an update on the artwork my artist has been working on! After going back and forth on the composition, we’ve finally landed on exactly what I was envisioning. Honestly, I think it’s even better than what I had in my head. Now I’m just waiting for the finished piece, and I can’t wait to share it with you!

Speaking of that, everyone here on Substack will get exclusive first access to the artwork before I share it anywhere else. My plan is to continue sharing future commissioned artwork here as well, so you’ll get exclusive access to watch this world come to life alongside the writing process.

I’ve also been fitting in writing around work, and it’s been so much fun seeing the story continue to grow and come together.

That’s all for now.

I hope you all find some time to get lost in a fantasy world this week 💫🪐

Thanks so much for continuing to follow along 💕💕

Brittany 💫

Please enjoy a sample from Ties of the Lost. Please be aware that this is my very early, very unedited rough draft. I’d love to hear your opinions or any tips or suggestions that you might have.

Thanks so much for being here 💕💕

I packed myself some water and hopped down the emerald rocks with much greater ease than the first journey. In fact, I was starting to notice the muscles in my legs growing from doing this trek so many times. As I walked, I tried to focus on the moment and did my best not to let my mind wander too much. I needed to stay present and aware of my surroundings.

As I approached the weeping willow, I made sure to do a good sweep of my surroundings, and to my luck, no one was there. I stepped through the tree hollow, being sure to use the ladder this time. I crawled through the tree hollow and into the misty hot spring below. I had become accustomed to the smell, and Amblue was right. It wasn’t so bad.

I stepped awkwardly onto the purple pillow and then onto the wide rim of the spring. I gazed across the perimeter of the pool to check if I had any company.

There were no signs of anyone.

I whipped off my dress and sauntered into the soothing depths, wading in slowly. I felt the slick heat of the mist penetrate my pores as I moved closer to the center of the pool. The mist was thick today. It was so thick that I couldn’t see the end of the pool.

I tiptoed through the water toward the other end of the pool, where my new favorite spot was—an emerald chair carved into the interior of the pool. The mist was blocking my view now, but I knew it was there.

I reached my hands out in front of me to help wade through the water as it became deeper, but when I reached out, I noticed that something was blocking my way.

This wasn’t right. The pool didn’t have anything in it that would block my way.

I reached out again and grasped for the object. It was wet and slippery.

It felt like...

“Can I help you?” a low, sultry voice spoke.

To be continued 💕🪐💫

Hey Book Besties,

This week I reached 300 subscribers! Thank you so much to all who are investing this early, you guys mean the world to me 💕💕💕.

I did get some writing done this week (2500 words), gained a bunch of new followers on TikTok and I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about my story and how I can improve my craft.

I currently have a degree in psychology and want to take an after education degree to become a teacher. This means that I need to upgrade my English courses. The awesome thing is is that the courses that I need to take are novel writing courses. The nice thing about doing these courses is that it can help me improve my craft and the courses require me to write short stories so I can share them with you guys on here! I’m also hoping I can maybe swindle my teacher to have a look over Ties of the Lost as well.

I also met with one of my artists, Polly Grinenko, and she’s going to be painting a hand painted map of my galaxy. I am beyond excited for this. I’m definitely going to frame it and hang it on my wall and if I die I want to be buried with it.

I also have another coworker working on a different art project for me that I’m really excited about this one too. I’m going to keep that one a mystery for now, but I’ll be sharing it on my Substack before I post it anywhere else.

That’s all for this week 💕

This has honestly been a very productive week for my writing.

I officially finished Chapter 30 and the worldbuilding is getting really intricate now. I’m especially loving the world I’m currently spending time in: Draconah, the dragon lands.

The funny thing about writing fantasy is that sometimes the world starts growing on its own. I recently caught myself thinking, “How cool would it be to create my own tribe within Draconah?” And honestly, now I kind of want to do it. The idea of creating my own culture, traditions, and history inside the dragon lands sounds incredibly fun, and it’s one of those moments where I remember why I love fantasy so much in the first place.

Overall, the book is getting pretty close to completion.

I don’t want to jinx it, but I would absolutely love to finish the first draft by the end of the summer. It might be a little optimistic, but honestly… I think it’s possible.

Of course, finishing the draft won’t be the end of the journey. Once it’s done, I’ll be editing and proofreading it myself, hopefully bringing on some beta readers, and eventually working with a professional editor. After that, my plan is to try querying traditional publishers and really give that path my best shot.

I also had something really exciting happen this week.

I met a coworker during some work training who offered to create some artwork for the project for free, which was incredibly kind and generous of them.

Many of you have probably noticed that I’ve been using some AI art on my TikTok and Instagram. Honestly, I still think some of it is beautiful, and when you’re an aspiring author trying to learn marketing from scratch, sometimes you use the tools that are available to you while you’re figuring things out.

That being said, as I move closer to publishing, I’d really like to start moving more toward working with artists whenever possible.

The exciting part is that I actually have two artists now.

The first is my friend Polly, who has done some beautiful work for me before and would absolutely be someone I’d consider working with if I ended up self-publishing and needed cover art someday.

The second is my coworker, who is currently working on creating a fantasy map for Anderimata.

I am ridiculously excited about this. I’ve wanted a fantasy map for so long. I tried drawing one myself, but let’s just say illustration is not where my talents lie. Getting to see someone bring this world to life visually and do it the justice it deserves is something I’ve been looking forward to for a while now.

As soon as I have something to share, you’ll all be among the first to see it.

Thank you, as always, for following along on this journey with me. Watching this world slowly grow from an idea in my head into something real has been an incredible experience, and I’m so grateful to have people here to share it with.

💕Brittany

Hello Book besties!

Just wanted to give you a quick update from me this week.

I’ve been focusing a lot on my health lately and trying to make sure I’m taking care of myself both physically and mentally. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in goals, but I’ve been reminding myself that taking care of my health is just as important as taking care of my writing.

That said, I haven’t stopped working on Ties of the Lost.

Even on the days when I don’t have the energy for a long writing session, I’ve been making sure to write at least 500 words a day. Those small daily goals are really adding up, and every chapter seems to pull me deeper into the story. It’s really starting to live in my head. The more time I spend with Ariya, Sera, Sky, and the worlds of Anderimata, the more excited I am to share this journey with all of you.

It’s been one of those weeks where the story has surprised me more than once, and I love when that happens. Characters are growing in ways I didn’t expect, scenes are coming together, and the world keeps revealing new layers as I write.

As a little thank you for following along, here’s a small sneak peek from the manuscript:

There was an empty seat.

Gustav’s seat.

Just yesterday he had caused a scene in front of the Sanctum.

I remembered the officers taking him to the Renewal Wing while I had just stood there and watched in frightened quiet.

Now the space where he once sat seemed to swallow the light around it.

I found myself staring at it longer than I meant to.

Would he come back?”

Thank you for being here and for supporting this project. Every comment, share, subscription, and word of encouragement means more than you know.

Thanks and Happy Father’s Day to all the awesome fathers out there!!

Brittany

I did some writing today and it got me thinking about the bigger picture of Anderimata.

I’ve been feeling really good about the trilogy as a whole, which lead me to think about the titles of each book in the trilogy. I’ve already told you guys about Ties of the Lost, but for a long time I’ve had all of the trilogy titles planned. So since you’re on my email list, I wanted you to be the first to know the planned titles for the trilogy:

Book One: Ties of the Lost

Book Two: The Golden River

Book Three: The Return of the Sky Queen

The more I think about them, the more they feel right for the story I’m trying to tell.

I’m getting pretty close to finishing Ties of the Lost, but I’m also realizing there’s still a lot of work ahead. I have a lot of editing to do, and there are so many things I want to go back and add into the story that I didn’t think of when I first started writing it.

The funny thing is that every time I come up with a new idea, it doesn’t make me feel discouraged. It actually makes me more excited. The ideas just keep coming, and each one seems to make the story stronger. I’m finding more ways to connect things together, make the world richer, and make the overall journey feel more meaningful.

Every day I feel a little more confident in the story. I feel like the book is improving, my writing is improving, and the trilogy itself is becoming something even better than I originally imagined.

It’s a lot of work, but it’s the kind of work that makes me excited to sit down and write.

Thank you so much for being part of this journey and for supporting Anderimata while it’s still growing. It means a lot to me that you’re here.

I hope you’re all doing well, and I’ll have more updates to share soon.

Brittany ❤️

It’s been a long hard week and I have been looking forward to sharing my progress with all of you!

Something I’ve noticed lately while writing Ties of the Lost is that while the worldbuilding is still my favourite part of the story, I’ve really started loving writing the relationship between the characters too.

The galaxies, the hidden lore, the portals, the history behind everything… that’s still the part that excites me the most, but lately I’ve been realizing how much I love being able to pour my emotions into the relationships too.

I think part of writing love stories is that sometimes you get to express things you’ve always wanted to feel yourself. Things like safety, loyalty, tenderness, connection, being chosen. Love has not been easy and it’s been anything but healing for me, but for the first time I feel like I have an outlet and I can create the love story I’ve always needed. It’s a beautiful thing to watch it unfold and this time there’s no one there to tell me I’m wrong or that I’m asking for too much. This time I have the power to create the outcome I want and I promise I’m going to create something beautiful ❤️

I’ve also been having super vivid dreams lately and some of my favourite lines and moments genuinely come from them. Sometimes I wake up and immediately have to write things down before they disappear.

Life outside of writing has honestly been pretty stressful recently too. I’ve been dealing with condo issues, job transitions, and just feeling overwhelmed at times. Even through all of that, this story keeps pulling me back every week.

This week I thought I would share a tiny little excerpt from the book that’s been living in my head lately ✨

“I froze, and his magnetic eyes pulled on mine as my heart skipped and my breath quickened.

I stared back helpless as I watched his chest rise and fall before he broke our stare and he turned half away.

‘NOTHING OVER HERE.’”

…..

More soon 💕💕💕

A lot has already happened in the story so far, but now the world and the rules behind everything are starting to make a little more sense. The slow reveals are coming together more and more now, which has honestly been really fun to write.

One of the love stories is also just starting to develop, and it’s definitely going to be a slower burn that unfolds through books 2 and 3 as well.

I’ve also added a new character recently and I already love her. More characters are about to be introduced too, which means the found family part of the story is finally starting, and I’m really excited to write those dynamics.

I’ve also been spending some time going back through parts I already wrote and expanding certain character arcs and sections of the book. I’m realizing my writing keeps improving every time I revisit it. I never realized how much better I write when I’m not completely focused on just getting the story down, but also paying attention to the actual writing itself and how everything is coming across.

It’s honestly been making me feel more confident every day, and I seriously can’t wait until I can finally share this whole journey with you guys.

I wrote about 10,000 words this week, which honestly surprised me. I’ve been really busy with work, and it’s also been a tougher week for me mentally with some changes happening in my life.

Even with all of that, I kept coming back to writing. it’s been the one thing that’s brought me a sense of joy and focus this week. I felt like I got some really strong ideas out, and it reminded me how much I love working on this story.

I’m officially sitting at around 50,000 words now.

I’ve just started moving into the love arc, and I’ll be honest, I was a bit nervous about introducing this part, but it came to me a lot easier than I thought it would.

The love interest is definitely leaning a little morally grey, which I hadn’t planned at first, but now it feels exactly right. There is a bit more tension there than I originally planned, which I’m really liking.

The pacing right now is pretty fast, as there’s a lot of action and a few bigger reveals starting to come through. Things are beginning to shift a bit at this point in the story.

I am noticing there are a few spots I’ll want to go back and expand a bit, just to deepen some character moments, but overall I’m really happy with how it’s coming together.

more soon ❤️

I’ve been focused on a part of my story where something inside the FMC starts to change as the her journey becomes more critical. I decided to write this piece to represent her current journey and where she’s at in my draft right now.

The planets and moons hover so close, the air so still,

I long for the missing part of my soul.

I wander through the ethereal land,

seeking sanctuary in a strange place.

It welcomes me.

It holds me.

It takes me.

I start to disappear…

But I find a little hidden secret.

They’ll never know.

I run.

And this time, the storm doesn’t break me.

This time, the storm comes from within me.

That’s it for this week 🤍

I have been having my dad read through parts of my manuscript. He is very technical and has a strong physics mindset, so his feedback comes from a completely different angle than mine. At first, I did not love some of his feedback. I felt like he was pulling my story away from what I originally wanted, but then my brain kept working on it unconsciously.

Early this morning, around 4 am I woke to an idea that wouldn’t let me sleep again until I wrote it down. I realized something that I could add to the story that wouldn’t complicate it, but would actually create an epic motive behind the sinister events that are already taking place in my story.

I realized that I do not need to change the heart of the story at all. The magic, the beauty, and the emotional parts all stay the same. What I found is a way to expand the world so that everything connects on a deeper level.

It also opens the door to something more modern. I am not going to fully explain what that is yet since it is a pretty big reveal, but I will say that it adds a layer to the story that feels a little more real.

I have always wanted this story to have a bit of a conspiracy theory feel to it, and this idea really solidifies that. It adds a layer where the conspiracy does not just exist in the fantasy world, but feels even more like something that could actually be happening in real life.

It is not just extra detail. It actually strengthens the entire world and makes everything feel more grounded, even with all the fantasy elements.

I am really excited about where this is going and I really just can’t wait to share it with everyone. I think that people are going to love it and be obsessed with it. As an avid reader myself, I think this is something that I would absolutely obsess over. I’m working really hard on executing it well for you guys so that I don’t let you guys down.

I am also really looking forward to summer. Having my days free to focus on writing is going to make a huge difference, and I can already feel that momentum starting to build.

Right now I am tired, but I also feel excited in a way that has been building quietly all week.

I think this next phase of the story is going to be really special!!

I’ve always had a natural pull toward reading and writing, even when I was really young. I was told in school that I had a strong ability for writing, especially storytelling, and it was something I genuinely loved.

As I got older, I ended up going into modeling, and that became the way people saw me. I didn’t really get encouragement to pursue writing, and I was often underestimated or seen in a way that didn’t reflect who I actually was.

Over time, I went through a lot of experiences where I was made to question myself. My memory, my abilities, and even who I was as a person were challenged in ways that made me doubt myself more than I should have.

At the same time, I was always a reader. I would stay up until three in the morning finishing books because I couldn’t put them down. I’ve always been able to fully immerse myself in stories. I also wrote poetry when I was younger, but when I shared it, the reaction wasn’t what I expected. Instead of encouragement, there was concern, and it made me feel like expressing myself that way wasn’t something I should continue.

Because of that, I didn’t pursue writing for a long time.

Over the past few years, I got really back into reading, and something shifted. I kept thinking, I could do this. This is something I’m meant to do.

Around the same time, I changed my career path. I got a bachelor’s degree in psychology and started working in care and education. My confidence has grown a lot since then, and I feel ready now in a way I didn’t before.

When I write, I fully put myself into it, the same way I do when I read. I close my eyes, picture the scenes, and write from that place. I can feel when something works, and I know I can pull people into it.

I’m really excited about what I’m creating and where this is going.

I also just want to say thank you. There are 172 of you here now, and I really appreciate you following along and supporting this. It means more than you probably realize.

Even if this never becomes something huge, I’m still really glad I’m doing it. A lot of what I’m writing about comes from real experiences, especially around self-doubt and being made to question who you are, and it feels important to put that into words.

I’m really excited to share this with you.

This has been a really productive writing week for me. I’ve now reached around 25,000 words in the manuscript, which feels like a huge milestone. I’ve also had a lot of new people join the email list recently, so I just want to say a big welcome. I’m really grateful you’re here and excited to share this journey with you.

As the story continues to evolve, I’ve been refining the emotional direction, especially around the love story. There is definitely romance in the galaxy of Anderimata, but it isn’t instant or easy. It’s slow-burn, hard-earned, and deeply connected to the characters’ personal growth. That feels very true to me, and it’s something I care about portraying in a meaningful way.

This week I also introduced one of my favourite animals into the series. I’m keeping the exact creature a secret for now, but the inspiration comes from a pet who helped me through a difficult time in my life. They may seem small or insignificant at first, but they hold a very special place in the world of Anderimata and in my heart.

Another exciting development is that the magic system is really starting to come together. Each realm in the galaxy carries its own distinct energy and identity, and gemstones are tied to the essence of these worlds in a way that feels very cinematic and visually beautiful. The more I build this universe, the more it feels like a place I would genuinely want to step into and live in. Some of the realms you’ll encounter include Speyla, Draconah, Savah, Moravanah, Gian Lerai, Parashki, and Hessossa. There is also an eighth realm that I’m not ready to reveal yet.

I’ve even reworked the ending recently, which has made me feel really energized and inspired about the direction the story is heading.

Overall, it’s been a very focused and creative week. Having spring break from my day job has given me more time to write and to work on building this world, and I’m incredibly thankful for everyone who has signed up, as well as those who have volunteered to be ARC readers so far.

I’m really excited about where this journey is going, and I’m so glad you’re part of it.

Thank you. ✨

I’m still working through the first draft of Ties of the Lost, but recently I planned a new direction for the ending of Book One. The goal is for it to feel like a complete story on its own, something satisfying to finish, while still naturally opening into the larger trilogy.

Basically, you could read Book One and feel fulfilled, but you would also know there is a much bigger journey ahead.

The world itself keeps expanding the more I write. New places, new rules, new layers of mystery. Sometimes it feels less like inventing and more like exploring. I sit down to write and suddenly I am somewhere cold and stormy, or standing in a glowing city under unfamiliar moons.

Here is a small non spoiler moment from early in the book that captures the tone.

“Sleep came in fragments.

I dreamed of open sky stretching farther than my eyes could follow. Wind moved through it, alive but not cold. Something vast passed overhead. I never saw it fully, only the shadow skimming the clouds.

Moons hung low, one ringed with silver light. Stars burned sharper than they should. Below them, a city glimmered faintly, curved and luminous, nothing like the one of steel and smoke.

I felt watched.

Not threatened.

Just noticed.”

This story starts in survival mode, in a harsh and controlled world. Then slowly, it begins to open into something much stranger and much bigger.

Thank you for being here while I build it. More updates and sneak peeks coming soon.

Worlds where planets hang so close in the atmosphere they look within reach.

Worlds connected by star travel, trade routes, and civilizations older than memory.

Some realms train warriors.

Some hide rebellions beneath their surface.

Some guard ancient powers that history tried to erase.

And yet… the galaxy’s maps have always felt incomplete.

Because legends speak of another realm.

A missing world.

A severed place.

A civilization that doesn’t even realize it was once part of something far greater.

Some people feel it in their bones.

The sense that their life is only a fragment of a much bigger story.

The feeling that the sky is trying to call them home.

The Anderimata Trilogy

I’ve also finished planning the full trilogy. I know the major arcs, where the characters end up emotionally, and the big events that shape the universe. Obviously things will change as I draft. They always do. But having that backbone makes the whole process feel grounded instead of chaotic.

I really love my main character. She is strong but not in a perfect way. She makes choices that have consequences. She grows. She gets things wrong. Writing her has been one of the most satisfying parts of this whole project so far.

Another unexpected highlight is the animals. They are not just there to be cute or mystical. They influence the story. They carry meaning. Some of them are honestly becoming scene stealers.

Right now I am focused on momentum. Getting the first draft done. Letting the world expand without overthinking every detail. Later I will deal with revisions and agents and traditional publishing strategy. One step at a time.

Anyway. That is where things are at.

15,000 words down. Still very deep in the process. Still very into it.

More soon.

What if the things you believe about yourself are not the whole truth?

What if parts of you were shaped, softened, or erased long before you had a say?

This is the question at the heart of Anderimata, but it is also one I have seen echo through real lives again and again.

Through my work and my background in psychology, I have spent years watching people carry stories they cannot fully explain. People who feel disconnected from themselves. People who know something is missing, even if they cannot name it. Often, the problem is not that they are broken. It is that they adapted to survive.

Fantasy gives me a way to explore that truth without flattening it.

In Anderimata, memory is not just personal. It is political. It is controlled, altered, and weaponized. Forgetting is not an accident. It is a system. And remembering is dangerous, not because the truth is ugly, but because it changes what you are willing to accept.

I did not want to write a story about being rescued. I wanted to write about agency. About the slow and often painful process of reclaiming yourself in a world that benefits from your silence or compliance.

This story is for anyone who has ever felt like they were meant for more, but could not explain why. For anyone who has sensed a deeper self beneath the version they learned to perform. For anyone who has wondered whether forgetting was ever really their choice.

If that question unsettles you, you are exactly where you are meant to be.

This space will be where I share reflections, excerpts, and the ideas behind the world of Anderimata. Not answers. Not instructions. Just an invitation to remember.

They are written to hold it.

Anderimata is a fantasy story, but underneath the portals and strange worlds, it is really about memory, identity, and what happens when parts of you are taken, buried, or quietly forgotten. It is about people who feel out of place in their own lives, who sense that something essential has been lost, even if they cannot name what it is.

I have always been drawn to stories like that. Worlds where safety comes with a cost. Where being protected means being controlled. Where remembering who you are becomes an act of rebellion.

I have a background in psychology and years of working in care, and I have seen how often pain lives quietly inside people. How trauma does not always look dramatic. Sometimes it looks like disconnection, numbness, or the feeling that you do not quite belong anywhere. Writing fantasy lets me explore those truths without turning them into case studies or confessions. It gives them space to breathe.

So this story is not about trauma in a literal sense. It is about what it feels like. The confusion. The longing. The small brave choices to keep your inner world intact even when something outside of you is trying to erase it.

My hope is that when you read it, you do not feel confronted. I hope you feel accompanied.

Like the story is walking beside you rather than pulling you apart.

That is what Anderimata is meant to be.

I’m starting to think they’re about memory.

This is a piece of Anderimata, the universe I’ve been quietly building for a long time.

Every circle on this map is a world. Every path is a history. Every border is a story that doesn’t want to stay buried.

Gian Lerai sits at the center of it, not because it’s powerful, but because it remembers things the other realms would rather forget.

Some of these worlds are safe.

Some are beautiful.

Some are lying to you.

And somewhere inside them all is a girl who was taught to survive by forgetting who she is… and has to decide what happens when remembering becomes more dangerous than staying lost.

I’m sharing this map because stories don’t really begin with words.

They begin with a feeling. A pull. A sense that something is waiting for you just beyond what you can see.

If Anderimata feels like that to you, you’re already closer to it than you think.

More soon

.