Growing Pains

Hey friends!

Hope you're all having a great week. Mine’s been a bit of a whirlwind. I'm deep into outlining my debut novel, Claiming Widowmaker, and it's been quite the ride. Crafting this story has been challenging, but seeing it slowly come together is amazing.

On top of writing, I've been diving into social media to try and grow my following. Spoiler: it's way harder than I remembered! If you have any tips on boosting my presence without having to stay glued to my phone, let me know. 😂

And for those who were with me during my Kindle Vella days, remember that? It's a little bittersweet thinking back to the hard work of building a following from square one. But every step taught me something new, and I’m grateful for those learning experiences.

Thanks so much to everyone sticking with me on this journey; whether you’re a Vella veteran or a new follower from my social media. I truly appreciate all your support.

Until next week, keep the shiny side up!

        xo,

          Brighton 💋

Christmas

 

Hey everyone! I hope you all had an amazing Christmas filled with joy, laughter, and maybe a little too much eggnog. This year, my holiday was nothing short of an epic fiesta with my big Mexican family. If there's one thing you need to know about us, it's that we don't do anything halfway – especially not Christmas. Picture this: a house bursting at the seams with the whole family, all talking at once, and enough tamales to feed a small army. Add in a few mischievous kids, some slightly off-key caroling, and a mountain of brightly wrapped gifts.

The highlight of the night had to be our family's annual gift exchange. Now, this isn't your typical Secret Santa; we do it white elephant style, which means pure chaos and a lot of laughter. My cousin Carlos brought a piñata filled with candy, lottery tickets, and mini bottles of tequila. Watching my abuela crack it open with a broomstick was a sight to behold! And let me tell you, there's nothing like seeing your 80-year-old grandfather gleefully claiming a set of fluffy, hot-pink bunny slippers. 

By the end of the night, my cheeks hurt from laughing, my heart was full, and my waistband was considerably tighter – the true signs of a successful Christmas with my crazy, wonderful family.

             xx,

          Brighton 💋

Holiday Traditions

 

Ah, Christmas! That magical time of year when families come together to celebrate love, laughter, and—let's be honest—a competitive game of who can dodge Aunt Maria's fruitcake this year. 

As we prepare for yet another round of holiday festivities, I find myself reflecting on what truly makes this time of year special. Sure, there are the twinkling lights, the delectable treats, and the questionable decision to let Cousin Matteo bring his karaoke machine. But in the midst of the seasonal chaos, the real magic lies in the moments spent with family—whether we’re crowded around the table, laughing so hard someone inevitably cries, or suffering through someone singing Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas” that could easily double as a horror soundtrack. So here's to family! Ehe ones who know your quirks, the ones who will always steal the last slice of Christmas pie, and the ones who scream right alongside you when Peter Parker tries to get into something else he's not supposed to. 

Merry Christmas to all, and may your holiday season be filled with laughter, love, and a healthy dose of chaos!

        xo,

          Brighton 💋

Oh, Peter Parker.

 

Meet Peter Parker 

Hey, everyone! Brighton here with a quick and funny update. It’s December 15th, and my dog Peter Parker did something pretty amusing this morning.

While I was having my coffee and thinking about the next scene I'm writing for Claiming Widowmaker, I heard some rustling. When I turned around there was Peter Parker tangled up in Christmas lights. Somehow, he had pulled a whole string off the tree and was walking around like it was no big deal. I couldn’t help but laugh at how cute and silly he looked.

Untangling him made for a nice break from writing. Peter just sat there patiently, probably wondering what all the fuss was about. It was a funny start to the day and a good reminder of the little joys our pets bring us. Hope you all have a great holiday season! And if you need a break, check back next week for my newest blog post. And here's my tip for the day... keep an eye on your Christmas lights!

Happy Holidays,

Brighton

Christmas Cheer

Have you decked the halls and trimmed the tree yet, or are you still waiting for the last-minute panic to set in? If you haven't, don’t worry—there's still time to channel your inner Clark Griswold and turn that sad little evergreen into a dazzling spectacle that would put the North Pole to shame. I like to kick off the Christmas season with my annual “Ornament Smackdown,” where I invite my family over to see who can hang their ornaments the highest without the use of ladders. Spoiler alert: my Aunt Rosa always ends up needing a fire extinguisher.

As we gather around, hot cocoa in hand (or maybe something a little stronger—let’s be honest, it’s Texas), we take turns recounting the funniest holiday mishaps from years past. There is always a lot of laughter over that time my Aunt Maria mistook real mistletoe for some sort of kitchen herb and tried to make "Mistletoe Marinara." Let me tell you, that sauce was not a gift from Santa. And speaking of gifts, I have a tradition of wrapping all my presents in matching wrapping paper—because nothing soothes my soul more than aesthetically pleasing gift wrap.

Then, of course, there's the Christmas Eve BBQ. Who needs ham when you can smoke a brisket that would make even Santa rethink his cookie preference? It’s always a mix of surprise and delight when family members realize that the star on our tree is actually a Texas lone star, all decked out in twinkling lights. And don't get me started on the Christmas carols—our rendition of “Jingle Bells” often sounds more like a country ballad and ends with us attempting to two-step around the living room.

So tell me, how do you celebrate the holiday season? Have you started any traditions of your own? I’d love to hear about your decking-the-halls disasters or your unique spin on Christmas! Let's share some laughs and get this festive season started right!

Let's Go

Welcome to Brighton's Corner, my little spot on the internet! 

A Journey of Words

Writing is more than just a hobby; it’s a passion, an outlet, and, for many people, a lifeline. Each story, poem, or reflection that I share here is a piece of my heart, that I want to share with the world. Knowing that you are here, reading and engaging, gives life to every sentence I write. I'm eager to share my thoughts, ideas, and experiences with you. You can expect everything from personal stories to insights on the art of storytelling. This space is where I'm going to share it all, the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

Remember, this is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to see where this writing journey leads. Let’s go!

            xo,

            Brighton 💋