This is a Novel

But what is it about?

It started with an idea—a plot twist, one that has since vanished or evolved. This story is about grief, ghosts of the past, control, manipulation, surrender, and passivity.

I began writing Sweetie on December 9, 2025, at 9:34 a.m., though I think I had thought about it the day before.

Funny coincidence: It’s been a month today since I started writing it.

The town—fictional—is based primarily on Columbus, GA. Unlike my other attempts at writing, the setting is not one of the characters. In this case, the setting serves as a way to provide structure, primarily social structure. Dorothy, the main character, is directly a result of a life lived in Fairweather, GA—the town I created.

Though I am discovering this story, I already know so much of what will happen. It is only slight changes in the route that I’m taking as I experience what Dorothy has already experienced.

Excerpt:

”The stains from her cigarette smoke had layered over the three years she slowly decayed on my couch watching stories and game shows. She never watched the news, she couldn’t stand them. There couldn’t possibly be competition to her misery. I ruined so many clothes cleaning the popcorn ceiling with bleach. I could have painted over it, but I wanted to use chemicals—Mother would have never allowed it.

The thing is, I didn’t wish her dead, but I wished myself free. It is hard to explain because I couldn’t get my wish unless she—well—died.”

That’s it.