R. A. Nelson: Where Go?

Where is R. A. Nelson?

Greetings, friends!

Until my sonnet-based musings on Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey last week, this blog had been silent for three years. This was partly because that last blog in May 2023—“The Story Is Enough.”—so perfectly portrayed my inner landscape that I saw no need to add to it. As the title of my first blog post in 2017 makes clear, I believe the truest words are those born “Out of Silence”. I never wish to clutter that silence with unnecessary words.

But, after three years, methinks y’all deserve a brief update. Ergo, I give you the answer to the question doubtlessly simmering throughout Internet-Land: “R. A. Nelson – Where Go?”

WRITING

I’m still writing! I took a break from dear Brad after finishing the second book in his adventures, and started a new series. A trilogy, in fact. ’Tis based on a short story I wrote in middle school (it won a county-level award through a school competition!). This book was a shimmering orb of light, spinning in my soul and radiating JOY. The first few chapters burst out of me during a solitude retreat at a monastery—the same monastery where I finished The Ancient.

For all you Gatekeeper fans, this trilogy chronicles the adventures of Anna Merritt’s daughter. We even get to spend time with some dear familiar faces. I cannot overstate what a thrill it was to be back in Edmund Mitchell Truman’s voice, friends.

It was upon finishing that first book, though, that I felt myself floundering. I tried to start the second while also psyching myself up to reenter the querying trenches. Yet, though the second book was bouncing along the path ahead, shining and spinning and casting back shafts of light to guide me, I could not find within myself the strength to follow it. I could not face another grueling round of queries and rejection—especially when I hadn’t yet grieved all the wounds and deaths of the first round.

I needed to rest.

So, I did.

NOT WRITING

In November 2024, I started a writing sabbatical. I felt called to lay writing down entirely: to close the door on the section of my brain constantly devoted to the tales of my heart, giving that whole part of me a chance to recover.

It got rather quiet inside my head. I read and ran and cooked and took walks with my dear Doc. I shared stories with the hubs through a plethora of excellent movies and TV shows. I did a lot of puzzles.

I also had the chance to work with an entrepreneurial publishing studio dedicated to the fantasy genre. I edited MANY novels for daily chapter release on Royal Road and Patreon. ‘Twas my inimitable privilege and joy as part of this company to write a cozy fantasy trilogy: The Royal Academy of Magical Baking. (Think Harry Potter meets The Great British Baking Show.) While my personal writing self was resting, I was able to develop a professional writing self—the pen name ‘Anne Crews’. I am so grateful for this chance to hone my craft and build my writing muscles in a fast-paced environment.

And I am quite pleased with the result! This trilogy of books is pure, sweet, cozy fun. If you are in need of a whimsical confection in your soul, check these out on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G62PZNMM

WRITING AGAIN

In March of this year, though, I felt the pull to end my sabbatical and dive back into the tales of my heart. Not by returning to either of my ongoing series, but with a brand NEW book. A standalone ‘gritty-urban-speculative-slightly-tragic-romantasy-with-cozy-elements’. (You know, that hit new genre with a display in the front of every Barnes & Noble these days.) As 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the start of my graduate acting program, it felt like the right time to explore my theatre-self in fiction. I’ll share more about this book in the days ahead. For now, all I shall say is . . . I am LOVING it.

POETRY

I’m still writing poetry! I have continued chronicling the church calendar with liturgical cycles. Hubs and I have also shared some adventures in Europe, which I have chronicled through poetry. I plan to share more of these poems—and photos!—in the coming months. Eventually, I hope to publish another poetry collection, completing my Songs trilogy.

STORY-BAKING

There’s a new page on my website! Check out https://ranelsonwriting.com/editing-services/ to learn more about my work as an editor / author coach.

I find great fulfillment in helping other writers tell their stories and develop their unique voices. If you have a story simmering inside you, but have questions about any part of the process, send me an email: r.a.nelson@ranelsonwriting.com. I’m available for clients and would love to talk to you!

That’s all for now, friends. As always, if you have any topics or questions you would like me to explore in a future blog post, let me know in the comments! I look forward to the conversation.

I leave you with this photo of Doc, who is doing splendidly.