In many ways I think it feels like life does not change very much, day to day, and yet our interactions with other people, our surroundings and culture are constantly shifting. This time last year I had an idea that fell out of a dream (well, a nightmare if I am honest). Slowly this story idea that would not go away grew and grew. I had, up until this point mainly been writing short stories, poetry and articles, without the belief that any of these would have enough weight to form a longer piece. Then Chopsticks came along, a gothic story of betrayal, music and ghosts that somehow seemed to resonate and stick. Before I knew it, I had reached a novella length story, and it didn’t stop there.
I now have at least four novel length ideas in the works, some further along than others. I feel that having given myself the space to write has allowed me to find my writing voice. Whilst I think future projects might see a slightly different tone and style to Chopsticks I really think that is okay. I would describe it as growing as a writer, both in technical capability (getting the words down on the page) and confidence in my own voice.
When Chopsticks is released on the 1st January 2026, I will have achieved a long term ambition to become a published fiction author. Everyone has a different writing journey, and the exciting part is, I am still not sure where mine will lead me to next. I am currently working on a gothic picaresque novel, but I also have a science fiction book in the works (you see what I mean).
I think the important thing now, whatever you pictured for yourself for this year, is to think hard about your ambitions. Not in a vague, unstructured ‘one day I will’ type of way. Life has a way of throwing things at you that you don’t expect, but it is important to not put limits on your capability. Capability is not fixed. I started writing short poems a few years ago, now I am writing novels. I am sure that my idea of where I will be this time next year will not be exactly as I expect, but surely that’s what makes it exciting.
Here’s an exclusive sneak peek of the novella – just for you readers!
https://gavinturnerwrites.com/2025/11/26/chopsticks-a-short-extract-from-my-forthcoming-novella/
If you enjoyed that, why not order a copy? Chopsticks is available NOW via the link below:
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