May is here — the days are getting longer, the air has that gentle spring warmth, and Penny’s Diary continues to reveal new threads and surprises. It’s been amazing to see so many of you enjoying this new version of Penny’s story, and I’m grateful to everyone reading, listening, and following along.
The Behind the Magic email about the enhanced PDF versions was so well received that I’m now thinking of doing something similar for the audio versions very soon. Keep an eye out for that — I think you’ll enjoy it.
If you’re new here, welcome! I send a Workbench Update each month — partly how the writing’s going, partly a look at what’s happening behind the scenes, partly a family photo album. Consider it a letter from where I sit, to where you sit, with AffinityVerse news, things I’ll be doing soon, and now and then a castle or a Dalek.
👉 Just joined? Penny’s Diary is a really good place to start — a weekly, character-driven mystery unfolding one entry at a time.
👉 Want to explore more of the AffinityVerse? If Penny’s Diary has sparked your curiosity, there’s a whole world waiting beyond its pages. The Rogue Ghost Podcast opens the door to the larger AffinityVerse — a globe-spanning mystery built around magic, history, and the long shadows cast by twelve Puzzle Boxes. Explore at your own pace and discover how these stories quietly connect.
🔧 What I’m Working On Right Now
I’m still deep in Weeks 22 through 26 of Penny’s Diary, and these parts have been particularly eventful.
Penny finally uncovers details about Logan and Cassie, the other children referenced in her earlier diaries. Alongside these revelations, the diary covers the night of the Spring Play, Spellbound Harmony Part 1, and the shocking aftermath that follows. There’s also a tragedy that affects one of our main characters — a beat that reshapes the story’s emotional arc.
These weeks continue to deepen the stakes and set the stage for some very tense moments coming up.
The Affinity Web Chronicles is a reader-supported publication. You can sign up to receive new fiction episodes every Thursday, along with regular behind-the-scenes updates. To access immersive audio, video, and eBook editions — and to help support my work — consider becoming a supporting reader.
📘 What’s Coming Up Next
The next Penny’s Diary entry to arrive will be Week 19.
These weeks — 19 through 21 — continue to unfold in unpredictable ways. Penny and her friends encounter new discoveries, lingering mysteries, and moments that make them realize just how complex their world has become. The stakes rise without revealing any of the specific outcomes, leaving plenty of tension and anticipation for what’s to come.
Alongside the diary pages, here are some Polaroids from the expanded PDF versions — offering a sneak peek of the moments that await in Weeks 19 to 21:
It’s a cycle that deepens the story’s emotional weight, showcases the trio’s growing coordination, and hints at the next steps in the unfolding mysteries — with plenty left to uncover along the way.
📚 Penny’s Diary Catch-Up
Just a quick note to say that the Penny’s Diary Catch-Up Page has now been updated to include Weeks 13 through 17.
So if you’ve missed any entries, or just want an easy way to dip back into the story and get your bearings before the newest diary pages, you can catch up here:
If you’re enjoying Penny’s Diary, supporting readers can unlock the most immersive versions of the story.
The audio editions bring Penny’s voice to life, capturing the emotion, rhythm, and hesitation behind each entry.
The diary editions recreate the feeling of reading Penny’s actual journal — complete with Polaroids, sketches, notes, and the little details she tucks between the pages.
Together they offer the most complete way to experience Penny’s world.
👉 Become a Supporting Reader
Your support helps keep the AffinityVerse growing — one story, one mystery, and one diary page at a time.
📖 Off the Page
We returned to Alton Towers, and this trip may well have been our best yet. Thanks to complimentary fast track passes, we bypassed most of the lines on a busy Saturday, which made the day feel almost effortless. Full-speed thrills, and no waiting — truly the perfect spring escape.
We also made a calm, restorative visit to Nostell, taking a long walk around the lake and enjoying the gardens in full spring bloom. These kinds of trips always help me reset creatively.
It had been a while since our last visit to Yorkshire Wildlife Park, so we went back to see some of our favorite animals and the newly arrived Gibbons. Even after some time away, the park still feels wonderfully vibrant and alive, with every corner full of surprises and moments that make you pause and appreciate the little details.
Looking ahead, we’ve got another Alton Towers trip coming up this month, a return to some of our favorite historical sites, and even plans for a trip to Wales in August. It’s shaping up to be a spring and summer full of exploration, inspiration, and plenty of stories to bring back to the Workbench.
🎬 Just Watched
We watched Ready or Not 2: Here I Come — I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but this sequel delivered. It’s not too heavy, keeps a lot of the fun and suspense of the original, and overall it’s a highly enjoyable continuation of the story — plus it features Elijah Wood and Sarah Michelle Gellar. Brilliant.
📺 Currently Watching
Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 — up to Episode 6 at the time of writing. It’s interesting to see how this fits into the overall lore of the series. The theme music feels a bit jarring, mixing the original with the new. I would have preferred just using the new theme. Overall, it’s been an intriguing watch so far, and I’m curious to see how it continues.
🌀 TARDIS Tracker
I’ve gotten back into my Doctor Who rewatch again, and I’ve just reached “A Christmas Carol” — Matt Smith’s first Christmas Special. Yes, I know it’s not actually Christmas, but when you’re doing a rewatch marathon, you roll with it, lol.
Even though I did watch this special in December, I really enjoyed revisiting again because of how it blends whimsy with genuine emotional depth. The story balances the fantastical with moments of real heartbreak and redemption — and of course, Matt Smith’s Doctor is perfectly charming, full of energy and cleverness.
One of the standout moments for me was the inclusion of Murray Gold’s hauntingly beautiful “Abigail’s Song (Silence Is All You Know),” sung by Katherine Jenkins, who also stars in the special. It’s the kind of piece that sticks with you long after the credits roll.
🛸Dalek Update
The half-size Dalek build continues to grow. The base is almost complete, with the motorized wheels and reflector lights now fitted, and seeing the full scale of this thing start to take shape is genuinely hitting me. It’s hard not to feel a little intimidated by just how big it’s going to be — I’m honestly a bit nervous about being “exterminated” while writing. 😄
Every new piece adds a surprising amount of weight and presence, and it’s amazing how the build suddenly feels like it could roll across the room at any moment. Slow progress, yes — but each step makes the final reveal feel that much more epic.
🕰️ From the Archives
Something a little different this month: back in the original iteration of Penny’s Diary, I created a few short videos to accompany the series. One of my favorites was titled “The Letter and the Diary”, which covered the moment Penny first finds the letter and her memories begin to return.
I might redo something similar for this new version of Penny’s Diary — it’s a fun way to bring the story alive in motion.
That’s what’s on the workbench this month — a few new answers and even more questions in Penny’s world, some high-speed thrills at Alton Towers, and the Dalek slowly growing piece by piece.
As always, thank you for being part of this ongoing adventure. Whether you’ve been here from the earliest AffinityVerse stories or are just joining Penny’s Diary for the first time, I’m grateful to have you along.
By the way — I’d love to hear your thoughts: have you checked out Ready or Not 2 or Stranger Things: Tales from ’85? And for those who love theme parks, what’s your favorite park or ride?
The Affinity Web Chronicles is a reader-supported publication. You can sign up to receive new fiction episodes every Thursday, along with regular behind-the-scenes updates. To access immersive audio, video, and eBook editions — and to help support my work — consider becoming a supporting reader.
