Our brains are browsers and the tabs just keep multiplying. Each week, we share the ones worth keeping: what we’re watching, reading, buying, and thinking about lately. Plus, we ask someone cool to walk us through their week and all the little things that make their everyday life feel a little more magical.
Looking for your next fall read? Racquel Marie’s got you. Her books (Ophelia After All, If We Survive This) aren’t just page-turners; they’re a celebration of queer Latine stories that deserve way more space in YA. Here’s how she keeps her creative energy alive.
1. What are some of your must-haves when writing?
Music is a huge part of my writing process, though its presence wanes the further I get into a project. When drafting and doing developmental revisions, I always have on headphones and typically play one or two songs on repeat for the entire writing session. Sometimes what I’m listening to is part of a broader playlist I’ve created for the book, but it’s often whatever has been stuck in my mind lately or fits the vibe for the particular scenes I’m working on that day. Once I reach finer revisions like copyediting and pass pages, though, I like to read my words aloud, so privacy and something to parch my throat become my must-haves.
2. What does your writing routine look like?
My writing routine varies quite a bit between projects and stages. The consistent elements are that I block out my work by daily word count or, more often, page count goals and unless I’m on a super tight deadline, I don’t work on weekends or holidays. The rest is really up in the air! Parallel play is very conducive to my productivity, so an entire day of coffee shop writing is when I’m most efficient.
If I’m at home, something about post-sunset hours fuels my writing better than daylight ever will. I broke into the publishing industry when I was still a college student, so I think the night-owl and busy environment work preferences stem from years of writing after class, surrounded by hallmates and friends.
3. What’s the first thing you treat yourself to when you’ve finished a draft or met a writing goal?
I’ve become a collector of quirky statement earrings over the last couple of years, and my favorite pairs are usually handmade and/or from small businesses. In 2025, Kikay earrings—an independent business local to me in LA—have become my go-to purchase for my writing accomplishment rewards. Otherwise, I love giving myself the simplicity of a little break from work!
4. And, lastly, which fictional character feels eerily similar to you, and why?
This is a niche pick, but Tara Webster from the 2010s Australian teen drama Dance Academy is a fictional character I’ve always seen so much of my teenage self in, both positively and negatively. Tara is embarrassing, annoying, snippy, overly romantic, and perpetually discontent; she is also passionate, funny, unapologetically herself, open to wanting, and forgiving. It was validating to see a character be so relatably flawed and cringy whilst admired and celebrated during that adolescent time in my life where it felt like imperfection was the greatest crime and completely antithetical to being loved.
Browse through all of Racquel Marie’s books here!
Speaking of creative energy, have you downloaded our newest Sunnie Playbook yet?
Inside, you’ll find:
How to follow your creative energy toward what matters most to you
Ways to connect your interests to your values and strengths
Creative prompts to help you explore new directions
A roadmap to turn ideas into action with goal-setting that actually works
How to access:
Download the PDF ⬇️
To Listen: If you only listen to one podcast this week, make it the Welcome to the Party ep with Gabby Douglas. Hearing her talk about burnout, balance, and building herself back up again? Major inspo.
To Read: This Time piece says gossip isn’t petty — it’s basically a form of social intelligence. Turns out, sharing tea might actually make you smarter about people (and we’re kind of obsessed with that idea).
To Watch: If Outer Banks and a high school garage band had a baby, it’d be The Runarounds. Total comfort show vibes with the perfect mix of friendship, drama, and nostalgia.
We officially announced Sunniefest—our first IRL event! Join us in Dallas on November 15th for a day filled with can’t miss convos and surprise performances from a roster of celeb guests, hands-on workshops with top experts, art installations, fun giveaways, exclusive Sunnie swag, and so much more. Buy your tickets here!
The Gap x Sandy Liang collab is finally here!!!! The balletcore-to-prep pipeline is complete. Bows, pleats, puff sleeves, shearling, and the kind of denim that looks like you’ve had it forever (in a good way). You can catch us refreshing the site like it’s the Eras Tour presale.
Our girl Pepper Persley just scored her own show (!!). It’s called Rebel Girl Sports Hour, where she’ll be talking all things women’s sports, confidence, and culture. Catch new episodes every Saturday on Swerve Sports (Roku or Pluto TV)… or stream whenever you want. First one drops this weekend!
