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New Year, Same Magic (Plus Extra Papillon Shenanigans)

There’s something about January light—it slants through the window as though it’s trying to whisper, “So… what now?” And every year I give that light the same answer: “Honestly? Probably the same thing I was doing yesterday.”

Because here we are, off into a brand-new year, standing at the doorway as if it’s a shiny party we weren’t totally prepared for but decided to attend anyway. Everyone around me starts talking resolutions, gym memberships, juice cleanses, ambitious goals with color-coded planners—meanwhile I’m over here with a notebook full of ideas for magical Papillon mysteries, a coffee mug that says Writer at Work (Probably), and two Papillons who have decided the only real resolution worth making is More Snacks.

Blueberry, the diva princess of fluff and mischief, approves of my non-resolutions. Buddy, my newly adopted eleven-year-old gentleman scamp, has no idea what a New Year’s resolution is but confidently assumes it involves belly rubs and making sure I never type more than three sentences without petting him. And honestly? That sounds like an excellent life strategy.

People always ask me what my big plans are for the year, and I usually break into a small internal panic because “plans” implies some sort of adult-level organization. But this year, as I settle into a comfy chair with my notebook, I find tremendous peace in realizing the truth: I like what I’m doing. I like where I am. I like the stories simmering in my brain like a pot of cozy mystery stew on a winter stove. And so many of you have reached out to say, “Please keep going!”—which is both heart-melting and mildly terrifying because now I have witnesses.

So what’s next? More magical Papillon books, of course. More whimsical adventures. More tiny dogs solving crimes while I pretend I’m the one writing them (Blueberry insists she does most of the plotting, Buddy handles character development, and I merely operate the keyboard). And yes, I’ve got a couple of side projects brewing too—sparkly little ideas that keep nudging me awake at 2 AM to whisper, “Write meeeee.”

And as I get older, I realize there’s no grand reinvention needed. I’m not doing a New Year overhaul. No “new year, new me” happening here—unless you count the fact that I might try being a tiny bit less stubborn and a smidge less perfectionist. But let’s be realistic: if my personality were a Papillon, it would be the kind that sits on your lap lovingly… and then refuses to move because this is where it wants to be forever.

So here’s my grand resolution for the year: keep dreaming, keep writing, keep playing in magical worlds where dogs talk and mysteries unravel, and have an absolute blast living life with my two Papillon muses.

Blueberry nods. Buddy wags his tail. And I—well, I sharpen my pencils, refill my mug, and get back to creating stories that (hopefully) bring you as much joy as these dogs bring me.

Happy New Year, my friends. Let’s make it magical.

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