One essential truth about being a writer: the muse is always in charge.

I often start with good intentions—plans and responsible to-do lists—but the muse inevitably decides which tasks she’ll allow and which she’ll ignore. The only projects I have some semblance of control over are those with hard deadlines; everything else exists in a lawless land of creative mayhem.

Over time, I’ve learned to trust the muse because, when she’s in charge, magic happens.

One such unexpected detour led the muse to urge me to write my first women’s fiction series. Naturally, I tried to resist, reasoning that I didn’t have time to wedge another project into my already packed schedule. But logic is a language the muse neither understands nor cares to learn. So, I jumped in with both feet and embraced this strange, new world.

As a writer who primarily crafts romance in its many flavors, venturing into unfamiliar territory was both daunting and exciting.

Confession: I became utterly consumed by this secret project. The characters haunted me, whispering their stories day and night, urging me to return to the page and bring them to life.

All I can say is—wow, what a journey! I laughed, cried, and poured my heart and soul into this story. It was, in a word, cathartic.

Writing the story of three emotionally complex women sparked a new kind of creativity within me, one that’s difficult to put into words but deeply fulfilling. While I love all my work, some stories take up permanent residence in my heart for different reasons, and this is certainly one of them.

I know this won’t be my only foray into women’s fiction—I enjoyed the process far too much to stop here. For now, the muse is satisfied with how this story turned out, and I’ve learned to embrace her unpredictable guidance.

As I shift back to romantic suspense, diving once more into the twists and turns of love, danger, and murder, I carry with me the lessons and fulfillment this detour provided. Writing, after all, is a journey shaped by unexpected paths, and it’s those detours that often lead to the most rewarding destinations.

Here’s to wherever the muse decides to take me next.

The Winter Inheritance by Kimberly Van Meter launches Jan. 2, 2025.

Kim Van Meter is a former full-time reporter for The Oakdale Leader, The Escalon Times and The Riverbank News; she continues to provide a monthly column. She can be reached at kvanmeter@oakdaleleader.com.