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Category: Dear Diary

Dear Diary: Write a blog entry from one of my characters in any book, published or not.

Midnight Musings: Rediscovering Canva in the Witching Hours

Midnight Musings: Rediscovering Canva in the Witching Hours

Published by S.M. Ulbrich on 02/24/2026

Hey there, fellow night owls and creative souls! It’s Shirley here, tapping away from my cozy corner in Hawkins, Texas, where the stars are out and the world is quiet. It’s been a hot minute since I last posted—life has a way of throwing curveballs, doesn’t it? But tonight (or should I say this early morning?), I’m feeling inspired to share a little update on my latest adventure: diving back into Canva.

You know, as an author, I’ve always loved weaving words into stories that transport readers. But lately, I’ve been craving a visual twist to complement my writing. Enter Canva—the design tool that’s like a playground for the imagination. I’m relearning it from scratch, and let me tell you, it’s both exhilarating and a tad overwhelming. Remember those first days of discovering drag-and-drop magic? The templates, the fonts, the endless color palettes? I’m right back there, experimenting with book covers for my next manuscript and even some fun graphics for social media shares.

Pro tip: If you’re rusty like me, start with their tutorials—they’re bite-sized and perfect for short bursts of creativity.

But here’s the real talk: My schedule isn’t exactly ideal for this. For reasons I won’t bore you with (though I’d love to grill the universe about it someday—hey heaven, why the short end of the stick on sleep?), I’m only awake about four hours out of every 24. And those hours? Always after midnight, when the rest of the world is dreaming. It’s like living in my own personal twilight zone. On one hand, the silence fuels focus—no distractions, just me, my laptop, and that soft glow from the screen. On the other, I wish I had more time to explore, to iterate, to let ideas marinate. Four hours fly by when you’re knee-deep in aligning elements or hunting for the perfect stock photo.

Still, I’m making it work. Canva’s mobile app has been a lifesaver for those groggy moments when I can’t sit at my desk. And honestly, these late-night sessions have sparked some unexpected gems—designs that feel more raw and authentic, born from the quiet hours when my mind wanders freely. If you’re dealing with your own time constraints, whether from health, work, or just life’s chaos, know this: Progress doesn’t need a full day. A few dedicated hours can move mountains… or at least create a stunning Instagram post.

What’s next? I’m aiming to incorporate more visuals into my author journey—maybe some mood boards for characters or teaser graphics for upcoming releases. If you have Canva hacks or favorite features, drop them in the comments! I’d love to hear how you’re blending creativity with whatever curveballs come your way.

Until next time (hopefully sooner than later), keep creating in the cracks of time you’ve got.

Sweet dreams—or good morning, depending on when you read this.

A little diddi I made up!
Dear Diary: A Glimmer in Misty’s Emerald Coast

Dear Diary: A Glimmer in Misty’s Emerald Coast

Published by S.M. Ulbrich on 09/20/2025

Below is an introduction in the form of a diary post of one of my favorite characters, Misty the Mermaid of the Emerald Coast – and from my first set of published books.

Date: September 20

Dear Diary,

The Emerald Coast sparkles today, its turquoise waves dancing above my coral cave like a quilt of light. I woke to the hum of the Gulf, my tail fin flicking against the smooth limestone walls of my home, their pink and green corals glowing faintly in the dawn’s glow. My long yellow hair floated free, tangling with a stray anemone, and I giggled, brushing it away. The cave’s nooks hold my treasures—shiny shells, my precious tiara, a cracked pearl comb, and a human bottle etched with strange words. I’m maybe 16 in mermaid years, but time feels different down here, fluid like the tides.

Moriah, my loggerhead turtle bestie, nudged me awake, her wise eyes twinkling under her mottled shell. “Adventure time?” she bubbled, her flippers stirring sand. We swam out, weaving through seagrass swaying like temple banners, the water cool and salty on my scales. I spotted a school of parrotfish, their colors popping like Mom’s stories of beautiful gardens. I hummed a hymn—something about faith moving mountains—and checked my kelp nets for breakfast. Found a plump oyster, cracked it open, and shared the juicy bit with Moriah.

A dolphin pod zipped by, chattering about a storm brewing topside. I tightened my nets, remembering last week’s current that scattered my shells. Moriah and I patrolled the reef, her flippers steady as I darted between corals, my tail flashing like a beacon. A human boat’s shadow passed overhead, and Moriah hid, her heart racing—humans are curious, but their nets scare her. I nudged her, trying to calm her as always. “You’re braver than you think,” I said.

We noticed Mrs. Clownfish preparing her nest, so she must be getting excited for the new arrivals coming soon. It’s so much fun to have little clownfish around.

Later, back in my cave, I carved a new shell with my coral knife, sketching waves. The Gulf’s song lulls me tonight, promising tomorrow’s adventures. Moriah’s waiting by the cave mouth to say goodnight, guarding me like family. I’m grateful for this undersea world, my faith, and my friend.

Till tomorrow,

Misty

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