While the rewrite of The Second Coming of Grace is still front and centre (and yes, the new opening chapters are shaping up beautifully), I’ve also been making quiet progress on a few other creative projects.

Some are long-term endeavours that continue to evolve. Others—like The Shell—have recently reached a major turning point.

Here’s a quick update from the creative desk:

The Shell (One-Act Play – Completed, Submission Research Underway)

I recently completed The Shell, a one-act stage play about a woman wrestling with mental health, perfectionism, and the need to control what can’t be controlled.

It’s introspective, raw, sometimes gently funny, and very human.

Right now, I’m researching submission opportunities for shorter plays—particularly ones that focus on contemporary emotional themes, women’s voices, or mental health. If you happen to know of any theatre companies or festivals that welcome one-act dramas, I’m all ears.

Horatio (Novel – Reimagining In Progress)

Horatio began as a novel written by my late father, Jim Eccles—an alternate history in which Lord Nelson survives Trafalgar and sets out on new adventures under a false identity.

I’m currently reworking it from the ground up, keeping much of the original spirit while adjusting the plot, tone, and perspective. My take combines high-stakes naval drama with a sly, knowing wink—something like Master and Commander meets Blackadder.

I’m also framing the story through the lens of a subordinate officer’s log entries, allowing my father’s prose to live on as historical “documents” within the restructured story. It’s both a tribute and a creative challenge I feel honoured to take on.

Rilla (Stage Play – Drafting in Progress)

This is my adaptation of Rilla of Ingleside, L. M. Montgomery’s powerful World War I novel.

My goal is to honour the original’s deeply Canadian setting and emotional arc while making the material sing onstage. From Rilla’s personal growth to Susan Baker’s kitchen-table wisdom, from Walter’s poetry to Dog Monday’s loyalty—I want to bring it all to life with just the right mix of historical truth and theatrical heart.

I’m also researching venues that might be interested in developing or staging it, including Canadian festivals that support new adaptations of classic works.

Each of these projects reminds me that writing doesn’t always happen in a straight line. Sometimes it’s layered, meandering, or slow—but still very alive.

And even as I pour myself into Grace, these works continue to call to me in different ways. One act. One chapter. One log entry at a time.

Engagement Prompt:

Are you working on multiple creative projects—or have a story you’ve been quietly developing in the background? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.