Back to the Stars: Finding My Way After the Move

 

The last few weeks have been a blur of boxes, tape, and chaos as we packed up our lives and moved into a new house. Moving, as anyone who’s done it knows, is exhausting—mentally, physically, and emotionally. By the time we finished, I felt like I’d been through hyperspace turbulence.

But now, as I sit surrounded by my notebooks, maps, and reference books, I’m reminded of why it’s all worth it. The new house is not just a place to live—it’s a launchpad for my next creative journey. My workroom is still coming together, but I’ve unpacked enough to see the pieces of my old life blending with this fresh start. And while I’m still physically drained, my excitement to dive back into writing and world-building is reigniting my energy.

A Fresh Space for Big Ideas

One of the things I love most about this new house is the space. My new workroom feels like it was designed for creativity. The desk is cleared (for now), and my shelves are stacked with the tools of the trade: notebooks filled with scrawled notes, plastic binders holding planetary stats, sector maps with carefully drawn hexes, and thematic sketches that bring the merchant galaxy to life.

I brought everything from the old house—every piece of paper, every binder, every tiny scrap of an idea—because this move felt like an opportunity to revisit and expand on what I’ve already built. I’m eager to spread out these fragments of imagination and weave them into something cohesive and new.

The Galaxy Beckons

The galaxy I’ve been building for years now feels more alive than ever. Moving gave me a chance to step back and look at the bigger picture. Now, I’m ready to zoom in, sector by sector, and really dig into the details.

Trade routes. Pirate havens. Fledgling colonies and dying empires. Every hex on the map is a story waiting to be told, a connection waiting to be drawn. And with my trusty notebooks and maps at my side, I feel like an explorer charting the unknown.

Creating these trade routes, designing the political intricacies of merchant factions, and imagining the lives of the people who inhabit this galaxy is where I find my joy. It’s the kind of work that doesn’t feel like work—it feels like discovery.

The Power of Starting Fresh

There’s something symbolic about this move. It feels like more than just a change of scenery—it feels like a reset. A chance to reassess, reorganize, and refocus. I’ve carried the lessons of the old house with me, but I’m leaving behind the clutter (literal and metaphorical) that no longer serves me.

And now, with a bigger space and a clearer head, I’m ready to tackle the final edits of Merchant of Vision and dive into the draft of Merchant of Fortune. But I’m also giving myself permission to take the time to explore, to create new maps, and to let the world-building process take me wherever it wants to go.

Looking Ahead

The last few weeks have been chaotic, but I can see the horizon now. I can see the maps I’m going to draw, the stories I’m going to tell, and the worlds I’m going to build.

To everyone who’s followed this journey, thank you for your patience as I’ve navigated this transition. I’m excited to share what comes next—trade routes, political intrigue, daring adventures, and the little details that make the merchant galaxy feel real.

For now, though, I’m going to take a deep breath, open a notebook, and let the stars guide me. Because no matter how exhausting the journey, the destination is always worth it.

Here’s to fresh starts, endless possibilities, and the infinite expanse of imagination. Let’s see where it takes us.