A Strange New World

March 2025 has been quite the month. It began with a lot of anticipation and a frantic energy because I had a book signing on my agenda and a graduation. I also had a book to write because of a looming release date and one to promote after it dropped on February 27th.

At the end of January one of our cats got sick. We didn't know what was wrong with him then and we don't now, nearly five days after his death. He'd been a grumpy patient. Whatever was wrong with him seemed steroid responsive. Thor held on as long as possible, but he just couldn't go any longer.

His sisters are still here, but after thirteen years, it is quite strange without Thor. He had a deceivingly grumpy face. He was the sweetest of the cats with a kitten's meow that never matched his size.

Just ten days before we were in Frisco at a booksigning, making new friends and meeting new readers.

Leslie w/a Kathryn C. Kelly (l) with her daughter (r) who writes as Nevaeh Ryn.

Less than a month before, I celebrated the release of a new book that tied in with the book signing.

Looking ahead, I expected to celebrate our graduation on March 28, 2025 from Full Sail University with BFAs in Creative Writing. Kate was number 38 and I was number 39. I didn't know if I wanted to pursue my Masters, a decision I still haven't made, though I'm leaning toward passing for now. I was also putting the finishing touches on my April 8th release.

Suddenly, one of our animals was gone and I would be a graduate rather than a student. Despite how much everything is the same, it still feels like a strange new world, one where I won't have a feline patient that I tried to 'will' back to health nor will I have any pressing weekly deadlines for the first time in 29 months.

Yet I will still have my writing, my old friend that has challenged me, comforted me, and served as a catharsis to some of my darkest moments. Undoubtedly, my final stage of grief for Thor will be to have a character suffer something similar to what I currently am.

After all, it won't be a good story without turmoil, drama, and realizations. Or happily-ever-afters if you write dark romances as I do.