February Survival Log
Still breathing...
Hello friends,
Happy February! The shortest month, yet somehow never the calmest. The kids have a four-day weekend, which apparently translates to birthday parties, playdates, and a one-night trip all squeezed into the same tiny stretch of time. Add in Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day, and suddenly the calendar looks like it lost a fight.
My husband and I are attempting to reschedule date night for midweek… because the weekend simply vanished. This, it seems, is our new normal.
…but there’s always time for books.
Story Spotlight
This month I’m reading Chloe Gong’s Coldwire and loving the virtual reality meets military academy vibe—similar to my own WIP.
It’s a cyberpunk dystopian YA story with a 4.02 Goodreads rating (as of 2/10/26). This book is for you if you enjoy:
Dual POV stories
Found family trope
Virtual vs. Real World parallel lives
Thriller pacing
YA emotional stakes
I put together a mood board to capture the feeling I get when reading this book. And when I say read, I really mean listen — audiobook life is real over here.
I still LOVE sitting down with a physical book, but these days, between kid shuttling and housework, audiobooks are sometimes the only way I finish a story before the end of the year. They sneak into the in-between moments of my day and make errands feel a little more magical.
They help at night, too. I get pretty bad anxiety before bed (especially if I’ve overdone it on coffee), and listening to a story gives my brain something gentle to focus on instead of spiraling through the chaos.
Reading Recs for This Mood
If you’re looking for more YA or dystopian stories with AI, implants, and all the tech-y vibes, may I suggest:
Illuminae — Told through files and data, with part of the story seen from an AI’s perspective; it mixes dystopia, tech, and heart on a fast, intense ride.
Warcross — A high-tech YA thriller about virtual worlds, hackers, and identity in a game-dominated society.
Void Star — Near-future cyberpunk with AI, implants, social inequality, and shifting realities that probe what tech means for humanity.
Let me know which is your favorite.
Trope I’m Thinking About Lately
Whether it’s in Coldwire or elsewhere (is anyone else watching A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?), the found family trope is one of my all-time favorites in storytelling.
Honestly, it hurts more than romance. When a character chooses to stay, to help, to risk themselves for people they didn’t grow up with — the ache is unreal. There’s something powerful about showing up for someone when you don’t have to. No shared blood. No obligation. No guilt. Just a decision to care.
That kind of voluntary connection makes every moment feel fragile and incredibly precious.
Do you have a favorite found family book I should add to the list?
From My Writing Desk
I took a big step this month and hired a book coach for a developmental edit of my manuscript. And it cost real, adult, gulp-inducing money.
Cue the imposter syndrome. This is my first novel, and I’ve definitely had moments of spiraling: Is this worth it? Am I wasting my time? Will this book ever even be published?
After listening to the latest episode of Shooting the Shit (with the brilliant Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra), I had a mindset shift. They talked about how investing in your writing, whether through courses, craft books, or professional support, is part of taking yourself seriously as a writer.
And that really stuck with me. Writing isn’t just a hobby for me. It’s something I hope will grow into a long, fulfilling career.
So even if this manuscript never sees the light of day, I’ll come out of the revision process stronger, sharper, and more prepared for the next book. Those lessons will carry forward.
Honestly? That makes it money well spent. Certainly more aligned than the degree I poured money into before realizing it wasn’t my path.
Recovered Pages from Sen Academy
Want a little extra chaos from my WIP?
I’m sharing exclusive bonus content from one of my WIP’s main characters, Rosie.AI — including her very unofficial (and very unfiltered) gossip column. Think overheard secrets, questionable commentary, and observations that are probably not Sen Academy-approved.
If you enjoy character-driven extras and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the world, you can download Rosie’s latest column below.
Until next month’s survival log,
Helena xx
This resonates so much! I’m doing audiobooks with physical copies at hand to make notes in when I’ve heard something that inspires me for my own writing. I love how you describe your working progress. I’ll check out the podcast you mentioned. Thank you 🙏