BLOG | Janine Bretz

Monthly Updates

December 2025

A full year has passed since I started doing updates. 2025 has been strange and long at times, yet short and fun still. After a good break, I'll be back at it with a vengeance for the new year. There will be old projects to finish, new ones to start, and many I don't even know about right now. This past year, I got to meet new friends and join a new community. I've faced hard hours and held vigil with death. I've made successes and come up short on things; and I still have much to sort out and decide on.
For The Captain Of The Abyss, I've finished chapter 14 and started chapter 15. My pirates are getting close to their wits' end, and the threat of mutiny is looming like a shadow over the ship. I wonder how much longer they will last . . .
I have every intention of having this book finished this year, hopefully before May.
Wish me luck!

November 2025

November has come and gone. Why must time tick so quickly? Some projects have changed a little (simply because I can't make up my mind), and the biggest one is still waiting to be touched again after a while. There's been a lot of cooking, and eating, and good family and friends time. Taking breaks is an important part of the working process, after all.
As for the book, I've just started chapter 14. My pirates are getting tired of their captain's decisions, and the word mutiny has been bandied about. But they're currently out in the middle of the pacific ocean. Ah, well . . .
On to December.

October 2025

So, October was quite busy. Projects got done, new ones started, and one big one is looming over everything. Now is when the time management skills get put to the test. With the holidays just around the corner, it'll be busier than ever. Alas, 'tis the season.

In book news, however, chapter 12 is complete, and chapter 13 underway. My poor pirates have braved a storm, an assassination attempt, and are currently crippled in the pacific. Whatever shall they do? You'll have to read the book to find out.

Next up: Turkey time.

September 2025

September went by fast. On top of making things for the farmer's market, medical stuff taking a couple of days, and having what could ostensibly be considered a tiny vacation, I was able to attend my first author event. It was fun, and I actually managed to sell a couple books! Every day is busy, but at least I'm getting stuff done.
The Captain Of The Abyss is now well into chapter 12, and the drama is thickening. My pirates had a time waiting in the doldrums (and I'm learning more than I really need to about nautical things for someone who doesn't sail. All part of the job, though.) In any case, the book is chugging along.
Bring on spooky season!

August 2025

So, August is finished and life still goes on. My poor sourdough was neglected for too long in the fridge and regretfully created for itself new friends that were a terrible influence on it. The sourdough is sadly no more. In other news, I've joined the local farmer's market near where I live. I'm selling quite a few things personally made by me, and, of course, my books. So far, it's been fun and an interesting learning experience. If you wish to know where to find me on Saturday mornings, check my Instagram or Facebook.
In bookish news, chapter 10 of The Captain Of The Abyss is complete, and chapter 11 is underway. My pirates are heading towards Cape Horn to reach the Pacific, for reasons that must remain secret. If you wish to know why, you'll have to buy the book.
Anyway, let's see what September brings.

July 2025

The whole year seems to be flying by. After several attempts with my sourdough starter, I believe it's finally ready to use. Instagram has become the update place for all my side projects, and there are a lot of those. I got to spend a lovely vacation with my family at the beach; and soon I'll be starting a new business venture. I'm gradually developing the audacity to be and do, and it's both exciting and uncomfy.
I'm well into the 10th chapter of The Captain Of The Abyss, but my poor pirates still have a long way to go. Soon, I'll be celebrating many birthdays (my immediate family were all born one week after the other), and there will be so much cake (for nearly a whole month). I'll also have to buckle down if I want this new venture to go well. Check my Instagram and Facebook for those updates, and wish me luck!

June 2025

Another month, another update. Summer is in full swing, and where I am it is HOT. I've been having a wonderful go-around with my health insurance, and have gotten only a little farther in discovering what's wrong with me™. I've also started a new hobby (like I need more), and begun a sourdough starter. Soon, I shall be doing special updates on Instagram regarding my little side projects, so stay tuned to that.
I'm nearing the end of chapter 9 in The Captain Of The Abyss, but not much else has happened with my little pirate book. Though June was busy, it doesn't feel like I accomplished much, and in another month I'll be going to vacation. Hopefully more can get done before that. See you all in July!

May 2025

Well. May has been a strange and slow-moving roller coaster. Near the middle of it, I lost a friend, and, therefore, the job I had taken on. I do not regret the help I was able to give, and I know where my friend is now. She's doing better now than she has her whole life, and I will see her again. I took only a little time to regroup myself, and I may need to take more as my own health issues are starting demand attention. We'll see.
As for the book, I'm thrilled to announce that it finally has a title: The Captain Of The Abyss. I'm well into chapter 9, and already dreaming up cover ideas, though that will have to remain on the back burner until the book is actually finished. My lovely pirates are still in Nassau, up to shenanigans and the like.
Though May was difficult and is over, I don't foresee the rest of the year being kinder. But here's to the start of summer! See you in a month.

April 2025

Why are the months going so fast? We're already in May, and it feels like I just posted March's update. Anyway, God is currently pounding me into a mold with what feels like extreme prejudice, but that might be because I'm kind of hard-headed.
Though April has been busy, I haven't seemed to get a lot accomplished. I've only been able to write a little into chapter 8. It's hopefully not a spoiler to say that my pirates have reached the beautiful island of Nassau and are going to be there for a bit. Besides work, appointments, and side projects progressing at a glacial pace, there's not much more to add.
God has the reins; I'm just along for the ride.

March 2025

You know the saying that goes “People make plans, and God laughs”? Well, He was certainly chortling at me this past month. I've taken on a responsibility that doesn't leave a lot of free time to write, but it was, and is for the foreseeable future, necessary.

The good news is that I still managed to finish chapter 7 (so I don't need to be yelled at); the bad news is that the pirate book (I may just call it that. That's catchy, right?) may not be published this year. God is working harder than I am, and He calls the shots. I'm very much living out the phrase “One day at a time”. But I'll still be working on the book, and hopefully all the books to follow.

I swear I just blinked and March was over. Let's see what April brings.

February 2025

Another month gone, and I'll admit I haven't gotten too much further with my newest novel. I'm still in chapter 7, but getting near the end.
This past month I focused a little more on my health and getting into a good routine to keep these bones a-going. I also began the tentative developments of the novels to come after the pirate book (title still to be determined). I created an entire map for a series that I won't be working on for at least a few years; time well-spent, I know. On top of that, I've been working on some personal projects which you can hopefully see soon on Instagram.
This coming month, there will be more functions, more appointments, and more projects; but I hope to carve out time to get serious work done. You may yell at me in the comments if I'm still only on chapter 7 come April.
Also, if you'd like to learn more about my current cast of characters, please comment below, and I'll start introducing my crew.
See you next month!

January 2025

After the completion of the third book in The Bane of Amstairis trilogy, I began my next novel. I am now delving into the realm of historical fiction with pirates. This new book (title to be determined later) takes place in exactly 1717. It follows a young woman who disguises herself as a man in order to join the Royal Navy and find a notorious pirate captain somewhere out at sea.

I've just started writing chapter 7. The going with this book is slow thanks to the frustration that is Google when you're searching for anything historical. Though there will be a sprinkling of fantasy later in the story, I wanted to make the rest as historically accurate as I could.

On top of appointments and functions, it's difficult to find time to just sit down and write. Hopefully, this next month with see more progress.

11/16/22 - Wait, what happened?

Well, I'll be absolutely honest, I forgot I started this blog. So, what's happened in the year? Blood and War is finally out, and the second book, Through Savage Lands, is in revision. I hope to get it published early in 2023. Then there's the third book, The Throne of Amstairis, which has the beginnings of a plan.

This year's seen more loss than I thought would come, most recently just a few days ago. I've also been dealing with medical issues, but who isn't anymore? However, I have been receiving help with things and have been doing remarkably better, mentally, in the past few months than I have been in years.

Anyway, let's see if I remember that this blog exists in a couple weeks.

1/17/2022 - I'M BACK, BABY!

After a couple years of life and tragedy and breaks, I'm glad to say I'm back, and I've learned to be a little kinder to myself. While I'm taking care of a relative, and am not working what could be coined as "a real job", I'm throwing myself into what I've always enjoyed doing.

My hope is to be able to make enough financially that this could be my career, but I won't put all my dragon eggs into one basket. For now, I'm just gonna give it a try. Lots of things are happening! I have a whole trilogy I'm writing, Aestus is coming out in hardback, and other little personal things that are making me smile. I'm excited for this trilogy.

The Bane of Amstairis follows the line and family of Ravencrest as they struggle with disaster, hardship, and determination. The first book, Blood and War, is already written and, after a few rounds of edits, will need beta readers. There is a link to sign up to be a beta on the home page, under News.

I can't wait to see what I can get done this year!