Lessons from the Abbey reflects the culmination of the first 4 years of intense study of creative writing. Lexicon and format became priority areas for improvement for poetry, as well as thematic development. Lessons from the Abbey also marks the author's first venture into short fiction, with a focus on setting as a plot device and including only the most basic elements necessary for storytelling. The short fiction of Lessons from the Abbey read more like expanded hint fiction than true short stories, but some pieces went on to serve as true short fiction, or birthed adaptations into other mediums or stories. Lessons from the Abbey offers a youthful and romantic take on a life just beginning, and the hopes and dreams of the author live through the characters.