I’ve been quietly turning something over in my mind lately. The next writing retreat is tentatively planned for April. Right now, nothing is set in stone. And that’s intentional. I’m at the stage where I want to ask the right questions before locking anything in:What kind of retreat do we need right now?What kind of space would feel supportive, energizing, and sustainable?What would actually serve your writing? Here are the things I’d love your thoughts on: ✨ Theme Some ideas I’ve been playing with (very loosely): - Tropes – Exploring different tropes and what makes them unique. - Fantasy vs. Romantasy – Discovering the differences between these two genres and how to write in each. - Structuring Your Novel – Learning how to structure your novel based on your genre. Is there a theme that feels especially resonant right now? ⏰ Format I’m strongly considering making this a half-day, writing-intensive retreat instead of a full-day event. Something like: - short opening grounding + intention-setting - multiple focused writing blocks - optional discussion or reflection - quiet accountability and community presence 📝 Topics & Structure If we do include some guided content, I’m curious what would be most helpful: - short craft talks? - mindset + permission-focused conversations? - goal-setting and next-step clarity? - writing sprints with gentle check-ins? Or would you prefer something almost entirely write-focused, with minimal instruction?

I want to know what’s on everyone’s nightstand / Kindle/audiobook queue! I’m currently reading Smoke and Scar by Gretchen Powell-Fox, and I’m loving it. I’ll be honest, I’m usually not a big trials-and-games reader, but this one really pulled me in. I’m almost finished, which feels like a small miracle after being in a reading slump for months. It’s so good to finally feel excited about a book again. Drop your current read below (or tell me what helped you get out of a reading slump)! 👇✨

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The dark romance virtual writing retreat is quickly approaching! If you haven't registered yet at www.ardencoutts.com yet let me know and I'll share a discount code for the retreat! The retreat is on Valentine's Day, FEB 14th from 10 am - 6 pm. It's a long day but totally worth it! Peep the agenda below!

Hey writers! I just added a brand-new plotting tool to help you outline (or revise!) the emotional arc of your romance stories. Whether you're writing contemporary, dark romance, fantasy romance, or something deliciously messy in between, this worksheet walks you through all the core beats—from the meet cute to the grand gesture. If you use it, feel free to share your progress or ask questions in the community—we’d love to support you as your story unfolds. 💛