stefakessler.com

Tag: fiction

  • Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T. 4.13.25

    Reading

    I just picked up a copy of Maggie Smith’s Dear Writer. Now, you may be asking me: Stefa, didn’t you say you were moving across the country and downsizing your books and trying to save money? Well, why don’t you mind your own business? Maggie Smith is a National and Local Treasure, and her book was literally written specifically for me: a writer.

    Eating

    Spent Sunay with some of my best friends. They’re amazing cooks and mixologists and the reason that my sense of humor is so crass and childish. They made me tacos and cocktails and birthday brownies and we laughed so hard our sides hurt. They’re also the people who introduced me to coastal Michigan, so in a way, you have them to thank for A Case of You. Don’t tell them though, their heads will swell.

    Playing

    My Middle Ages playlist. I’ll admit, it’s not as good at my A Case of You playlist. But I’ve found that having background music really helps me focus on my writing.

    Obsessing

    Obsessing over the bookstagram and bookthreads community. I reached out looking for fellow readers and writers after about 3 days of non-stop bot activity. And people came out en force. I found so many fellow Ohio writers that my writer friend, E.N. Gussler, and I have decided to host an Ohio Writer/Reader meet up in June! Go to the event tab at the top of my site to learn more and register.

    Recommending

    I highly recommend celebrating your wins. For a long time, I kept my wins private, not wanting to feel like a braggart. But you’d be surprised by how many people are on your side and want to see you succeed. So, let’s celebrate a win right now.

    A Case of You is still a work in progress. It’s with a developmental editor right now, just so I can be positive that I’ve done right by this story.

    Many of my beta readers also agreed that the beginning of my manuscript is the weakest part.

    All that to say that I entered The Writer’s Sanctuary Storyteller First Page Contest back in March. And I just got my feedback.

    62/80. My scores for the eight categories (scored out of 10) included one 10, five 8s, and two 6s.

    So as someone that knows their first few pages need work, this is a huge win for me. In addition, the contest is judged by best-selling authors and experienced editors, which feels extremely validating. Also, here is my favorite part of the feedback:

    Love the voice and tone of this story. The writing perfectly conveys the beauty and laziness of summer. Also, the characters were fantastic.

    Treating

    I treated myself to the most glorious massage on Sunday afternoon. The therapist was recommended to me by a friend and I was not steered wrong. So, if you’ve been thinking about scheduling that massage- go ahead and do it. It’s worth it. Already planning my next one.

    See you next week 🙂

  • Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T. for 3/24/25

    This was a big week. I had a friend visiting from out of town, so I was a little more out and about than usual.

    Reading

    It’s a twofer this week. I’m reading The Long Game by Elena Armas and The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center.

    This is my second time trying to read The Rom-Commers. I checked it out from the library that last time I went to Saugatuck, but I never really got into it. Then I saw the audiobook was available on Libby and I gave it a chance. I am laughing out loud and injecting my own reaction into the narrative as it unfolds much to the horror of the passengers in my car.

    Eating

    Everything in sight. With my friend visiting from out of town, I made sure she ate well. There were brunches, more coffee than two humans should consume, delicious pastas, and so many cocktails. I think my favorite food from this week though, were the chocolate coated pretzel poppers we nibbled on at the jazz club. Good enough to throw in your purse and take home.

    Playing

    Ever subject your D.D. to unrequested karaoke? My friend and I both love to sing, so naturally, our karaoke go-to’s were the soundtrack for the drive home from the jazz club. Celine Dion, Elle King, Lake Street Dive, Lady Gaga, and so much more.

    Obsessing

    Over my female friendships. The women in my life are everything. From my front-porch-friends to my dining-room-table-friends. The way we show up for each other, the way we can celebrate wins and mourn losses together, it’s incredible. And having my college friend visit this week reminded me of that. It’s amazing to be able to pick up where you left off with people, even if you haven’t been the best at staying in touch. We can open our hearts to each other, pour our guts out, and rest easy knowing that not only will we not be judged, but we’ll be loved.

    Recommending

    It was another good week for the movies. I saw Novocaine this week. It was such a fun action movie. What caught me off guard about it, was that is opened like a rom-com. It was sweet and butterfly-inducing and helped us really root for the hero as the plot developed. Afterwards, I learned that the writers, Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, also wrote The Villains, a hilarious, rom-com-adjacent, action thriller.

    Novocaine was just the right amount of tongue-in-cheek. It featured a heavily-tattooed Jack Quaid which gave me feelings I never expected to experience. And the gratuitous gore and violence left this action-movie-lover satisfied.

    Treating

    The horses! I took my friend to meet my buddies Blaze and Quinn this week. Blaze didn’t want to come in from his beautiful day in the pasture, even for a carrot, so we treated his herd mates. But my boy Quinn has been on stall rest and is also a treat fiend. So he was more than happy to indulge us. I even hopped on Quinn’s back for a bit and walked him around the pastures. I can’t wait for summer and our romps in the woods. He’s seriously the most tolerant boy in the world. I do so much stupid shit with him on the trail.

    And this concludes me weekly R.E.P.O.R.T.

    Next weeks will be another fun one because it’s not only my birthday, but I’m headed to NYC to visit family!