Author: Betsie

  • 5 Things I Love (or Would Love to Do) in Summer in Alaska

    5 Things I Love (or Would Love to Do) in Summer in Alaska

    There’s nothing quite like summer in Alaska. After a long, dark winter, we soak up every bit of light and warmth the season offers. With seemingly endless daylight, vibrant wildflowers, and landscapes that never stop impressing, summer here is a special kind of magic. Whether I’m already out doing these things or dreaming about them as the snow melts, here are five of my favorite ways to spend summer in the Last Frontier.

    1. Hiking in Hatcher Pass or the Butte
    Few things clear my head and lift my spirits like a hike through Hatcher Pass. The alpine views, blooming tundra, and the satisfying burn of climbing up to Summit Lake are unbeatable. On days when I want something quick but rewarding, the Butte is perfect—a short climb with panoramic views of the Matanuska and Knik Rivers that makes you feel on top of the world.

    2. Kayaking on Local Lakes—or a Valdez Adventure
    There’s a peacefulness in gliding across the glassy surface of a lake, paddle in hand, surrounded by spruce trees and mountain reflections. I love spending quiet mornings on local lakes, but I dream of making it to Valdez—where kayaking among icebergs and sea otters feels like something out of a movie.

    3. Playing at the Park with the Kids
    Summer with kids in Alaska is all about outdoor energy. We chase sunshine from one park to another. Watching them laugh, run, and play while I sip coffee in the sun—it’s one of those simple joys that feels like gold. Bonus points when the park has a view of Denali in the distance!

    4. Camping Under the Midnight Sun
    Camping here means cozy campfires, marshmallow-sticky fingers, and staying up far too late because it’s still light outside. Whether we’re parked beside a river or tucked into a forested nook, there’s something special about sleeping under the Alaskan sky.

    5. Day Trips to Whittier, Girdwood, or Seward
    One of my favorite things about living in Alaska is how many incredible places are just a road trip away. A day trip to Whittier (through that epic one-way tunnel), grabbing lunch and gold panning in Girdwood, or walking on the beach and visiting the Sea Life Center in Seward always feels like a mini-vacation. There’s always a new trail to try, a new café to stumble into, or a glacier to gawk at.

    Whether it’s adventure, quiet moments, or family memories, Alaska’s summers are made to be savored. I’d love to hear—what’s your favorite thing to do when the sun finally comes back?

  • Meet Mimi

    Meet Mimi

    from “Vacation” by Betsie Hill

    Mimi is not your typical protagonist. She’s flawed, reactive, insecure, and deeply, deeply human. What makes Mimi such a compelling character isn’t that she always gets things right—it’s that she’s willing to try again, even when the odds feel stacked against her.

    At her core, Mimi wants connection. Whether she’s managing chaotic library politics, navigating complex friendships, or stumbling into and out of romantic entanglements, she does so with a kind of reckless sincerity. She can be gaumless and sharp-tongued, but it always comes from a place of trying to protect something—her work, her sense of self, or the people she cares about.

    One of Mimi’s most defining qualities is her resilience. After heartbreak, professional sabotage, public embarrassment, and personal loss, she doesn’t wallow for long. She gets up, reevaluates, and reroutes. Sometimes she makes mistakes in those reroutes, but that’s the beauty of her arc: she grows. She reflects. She evolves.

    Her relationships—particularly with Veronica, Betty, and Henry—showcase her complexity. She’s not always the easiest friend or partner, but she’s always real. And when she does forgive, it’s big-hearted and genuine, even if it costs her emotionally.

    Mimi isn’t a hero in the conventional sense, and she’s not trying to be. She’s someone who lives through her mistakes, questions herself, and still somehow keeps going. That’s why so many people see themselves in her. Because life doesn’t always make sense, and neither does Mimi—but she tries to make it meaningful anyway.

    And sometimes, that’s more than enough.

  • Today’s Gratitude: My Husband, My Desk, and a Close Call

    Today’s Gratitude: My Husband, My Desk, and a Close Call

    Some days gratitude comes easily, and other days I have to look a little harder. Today reminded me how small things add up.

    My writing space is really coming together now! I share a desk with my husband, which means there’s always something cute to glance at (unless he’s losing in a Fortnite battle and doesn’t want me to look at him Hahaha). The shelves I ordered have finally arrived, and since it’s our day off, my husband put them together. It looks fantastic! As I was rearranging things to make space for the shelves, a soda spilled and ended up in my computer! My husband was understandably upset because he can’t afford a new computer right now. However, he quickly opened it up, cleaned it out, and managed to save it just in time! He’s truly amazing. Today, and every day, I’m incredibly grateful for him, his patience, and how he shows up in stressful moments.

    “At the end of the day, remind yourself that you did the best you could today, and that is good enough.”
    ― Lori Deschene

  • 🧡 5 Things to Know About Me (That Have Nothing to Do with Writing)

    🧡 5 Things to Know About Me (That Have Nothing to Do with Writing)

    Before we dive into books and writing, here are five completely random and very real things that make me who I am—from lakeside days to a goat with attitude.

    Welcome, Friend 👋

    Since this is my first post, I thought I’d skip the whole “Hi, I’m an author” intro (we’ll get there!) and instead just let you in on a few things about me—zero writing talk, I promise.

    Here are 5 things to know about me that have absolutely nothing to do with books:

    ☀️ 1. Summer Is My Favorite Season—But I Like Being Cold

    Contradictory? Completely. But I live for sunny lake days with the heat on my skin and cold water at my feet—then coming home, turning the A/C on way too high, and curling up with a fuzzy blanket.

    🐐 2. My Goat Doesn’t Like Me

    Yes, I have a goat. No, we’re not besties. She looks at me like I owe her money. I still try to win her over with snacks. (Spoiler: it’s not working.)

    🌍 3. I Could Eat Swedish or Hawaiian Food Forever

    Think: Swedish meatballs, potato sausage, or a good kladdkaka one day—purple sweet potaoes, fresh pineapple, or kalua pork the next. I crave both like comfort food, depending on the mood (and the weather).

    🌊 4. The Lake Is My Happy Place

    Give me still water, warm sun, a floatie, and a snack, and I’m in my element. It’s where I go to think, rest, or do absolutely nothing—which is sometimes the best thing.

    ❤️ 5. My Husband Is My Favorite Everything

    He’s my best friend, my sounding board, my daily laugh, and the one person I’d pick over and over again. Cheesy? Maybe. True? 100%.

    That’s Me—for Now

    Thanks for reading! I’ll be back soon with a few posts that (maybe) have something to do with writing. But for now, tell me something completely random about you on my Facebook page—I’d genuinely love to know.