Audrey Hughey designs planners, writes fiction, and works diligently to help her fellow authors. Although she currently writes horror and thrillers, sheβs as eclectic in her writing as in her reading. When sheβs not submerged in the worlds of fiction and planning, sheβs caring for her family, enjoying nature, or finding more ways to bring a little more light into the world.
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β¨ Storm Prep Tips, New Year, & a New Vault π
Published 3 months agoΒ β’Β 7 min read
Happy New Year, Friend!
Heavy Snow on Cherry Trees, West Virginia - Photo by Audrey Hughey
Happy New Year! This late?
Yes! It might actually better now that we've passed "Quitter's Day."
If you've found yourself struggling with waning energy, then this is just the newsletter for you! I have a few things that can help you through this email!
Are you in the path of this weekend's weather system? I've got writerly tips for that, too!
Ready to Revamp Your 2026 Plan?
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I've published my first (public) videoβ on YouTube in a long time. I hope it's the first of many -- if it's helpful to you. Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe if you do find it helpful. That way, I know to continue with my plans to record more planning and productivity videos this year. π π π
Why do I need the feedback? Because time, energy, finances (and my health are all limited, and I want to focus my efforts where they can make a real impact for me and for our writing community. As a creator, it's easy to feel lost in the noise sometimes and wonder if what we're doing matters. The best way to determine that is through feedback.
If you don't want to watch the entire workshop replay, you can always download the workbook (link in the video description OR HERE) I created and work through it on your own. I'd recommend printing it and filling it out by hand if you're able, as that can enhance brainstorming, thoughtfulness, and improve your retention.
The title is important, and it's why I was so excited about joining this Master Vault. Writing is critical and foundational, but if you never finish a project, then you'll never publish it.
And I 100% believe -- as I've learned from some great, wildly successful indie fiction authors -- the greatest experience gain comes from the stories you publish.
I'm working on a tippity-top secret project to expand on this, but for now, I want you to think about it.
Finishing a story is HARD
Getting through the editing is HARD (some feel it's HARDER than writing the book)
Then proofreading.
Then pre-publishing.
Then publishing. It's terrifying the first time, plagued by a whirlwind of questions like, "What am I forgetting? What haven't I thought of? What mistakes am I missing? What don't I know that I need to?"
Learning through these phases is exponential with every step, but when you follow through on these steps for every project, it's like you get a learning bonus!
Where do you stand?
How manyunfinished WIPs are sitting on your computer (or in your notebook) right now?
How many manuscripts (of any length) do you want to write and finish in 2026?
How many do you want to edit?
How many do you want to publish?
What tools or resources do you need to carry you through?
I would love to know your answers. Sometimes the answers come easily, and sometimes you need quiet time and space to think carefully about the questions.
If you've felt stuck on any of your projects, then I believe my contribution to the Vault may be one of the most valuable in your author journey this year.
The Busting Writer's Block Workbook
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I created this workbook with not only my experience in mind, but the experiences of my closest writing friends, coaching clients, and my writing groups in mind. It's like having me right there with you, asking guiding questions and walking you through an extensive diagnostic process to figure out where you're really feeling stuck and why.
Once you've found the root or roots of your writing paralysis, I've created a series of prompts (all written by me, not by AI) to help reinspire you about your manuscript and jolt you with creative sparks to get you back on track with your writing.
Wherever your blocks are, this workbook is designed by me to help root them out and start healing them.
I really, really hope you love it! π» π
Tomorrow, I'll feature another Vault product that I believe makes the price a total steal! π
Are you in the storm's path? βοΈβοΈ
Snow and Sunlight on Cedar Creek Natural Bridge State Park, Natural Bridge, VA Photo by Audrey Hughey - Saturday, December 6, 2025.
If you're in the path of the storm slated to hit a massive area of the US (from Texas to New York), I imagine you've been busy preparing this week.
I hope you have enough candles, blankets, fuel, and food to get you through in case of power outages or being stuck inside.
Here at the gateway to the Shenandoah Valley, we're expecting to be stuck inside for a few days.
Outside:
We'll flip up our windshield wipers and cover our cars. (You can do this with car covers, tarps, or even fitted bed sheets.) Covering makes it easy to remove snow and ice by simply pulling the cover off.
Spraying the weather seals for each car with a silicone spray. You *could* spray with WD-40, but that spray has elements that are degrade rubber, which will hasten the deterioration of your seals.
Use WD-40 on the vehicle hinges.
Use tarps/sheets/maybe large pieces of cardboard/etc. on porches, porch steps, walkways, etc., if able to make them easier to clear after the snow stops.
If you have large tarps, you could cover the driveway entrance to make it easier to get out if needed.
Inside:
Replace the weatherstripping on your house's doors and windows.
If you can't update the seals or they're not enough, you could wrap a fitted sheet around your door (while it's open, then close it) to help seal gaps and reduce heat loss.
Use thermal or blackout curtains if you have them.
Shut vents to rooms you aren't occupying.
Ready blankets, candles, lighters/matches, flashlights, batteries, etc., in case they are needed.
Make sure your portable/travel power banks and rechargeable items are fully charged and ready to go.
Group ready-to-eat foods in your pantry, cupboards, or on the counter so they're easy to find if needed.
Writer Prep:
Have notebooks and pens/pencils readily available. You might have to write by hand, draft outlines, or take research notes by hand if the power goes out.
Set out the top 3 books from your physical TBR. This is a great time to snuggle up with a book and catch up on your TBR or read to research for an upcoming project.
Make sure battery-operated book lights or reading lights are charged and ready.
If you have a Bluetooth keyboard, make sure it's fully charged and paired with your devices, in case the power goes out, and you can safely continue working on your manuscript via your phone or tablet.
This list is not all-inclusive or applicable to everyone.
βοΈ Do you have any tips to add that can help others?
Whether you love my signature big yearly planners, the new Simplicity Writing Planner (streamlined version of the big planner - over 130 fewer pages!), my Essential Book Launch Planner, or my small Monthly Writing Focus Planner, you can currently get a 10% discount with this code: RAC26SAVE10
I hope that if any of my heart-and-soul-created planners can help you in the coming year, you will consider choosing one. There is still time to get it with time to plan!
Lulu Orders: Going forward, ALL of my planners will have 80# paper instead of 60#, and I will NOT raise prices to reflect this. I'd rather provide an improved experience and eat the cost than go backward in quality. Once I tried it, I knew that 80# had to be the standard.
For my friends OUTSIDE the US: Yes, your planner can be shipped to you without incurring high costs -- because Lulu uses regional printing! π
That means orders for UK residents are printed and shipped within the UK.
Orders for writers in Australia π¦πΊ and New Zealand π³πΏ are printed in Australia.
Orders for writers in Europe? Yep, printed in Europe! π
βΌοΈ Be sure it copy and paste the code or use ALL CAPS when entering it! βΌοΈ
Bonus: You can use it on all of my books AND on every print product in the Lulu store - calendars, planners, journals, fiction and nonfiction books, coloring books, and more! π₯³
It's an excellent opportunity to support a B Corp that consistently supports its authors' (especially indie authors!) success.
A Simple Request: If you already have any of my planners, would you please take a moment to review what you have on Amazon and/or Lulu?
Check Out My Etsy Shop! π
Did you know I have more than just the printable version of my planner in my Etsy shop? Check it out, and hit reply if there's something you'd like to see there - different printables, planning pages, character sheets, reading logs, etc. π
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This is a great way to find your favorite planners as printable PDFs so you can customize, print, and bind in a way completely tailored to your unique needs and preferences! π₯³
Remember to enter The Ultimate Plan-Write-Publish Giveaway!
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Have you heard the news? I've extended the deadline. This defintely needs more eyes, as my partners and I have worked hard to put this together.
In all, there are 28 prizes, with the Grand Prize being a publishing package - Custom Book Cover, Editing, Proofreading, and so much more!
The best part is that I'm offering HUGE bonus points to people who share posts about my planners. All entries will be verified, and I've set it up so the system can't be gamed by using email referrals as entries. That system simply isn't fair to people who are trying to participate honestly, so it's instead focused on engagement, interaction, and sharing on social media.
I hope you'll take a shot and enter! π
Talk Again Tomorrow π₯³
I completed quite a few workshops and events during December and January so far, and with all the chaos going on in the world, I got a little burned out. I'm dusting myself off, recentering, and focusing on sending you what goodness I can, especially while I'm sharing about the Master Vault.
Otherwise, I'm sprinting away (mostly edits π ) in Discord most days. Join us HERE.
Talk again soon!
Warmest Wishes,
βοΈ Audrey Hughey βοΈ
Apple, date, and cinnamon tarts with powdered sugar sprinkled on top. I'm not the best cook/baker, but I made these on a whim, and they turned out delicious! Excellent writer fuel π
P.S. I use affiliate links where I can to help build awesome giveaways, fuel my brain with much-needed caffeine, and... pastry dough for tarts. π
Audrey Hughey designs planners, writes fiction, and works diligently to help her fellow authors. Although she currently writes horror and thrillers, sheβs as eclectic in her writing as in her reading. When sheβs not submerged in the worlds of fiction and planning, sheβs caring for her family, enjoying nature, or finding more ways to bring a little more light into the world.
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