If I have been a little quiet on here lately, that’s probably a good sign. It means I have been concentrating on my second book!! But let me tell you where I am with it today and how I managed to get here. Life, as it so often does, decided to throw a few unexpected spanners in the works. Back in mid March, I underwent a minor surgery, one I anticipated would have
me back tapping away at the keyboard in no time. However, the recovery decided to be a touch more… complicated than planned, keeping me out of the writing routine for a good two weeks, and even then, my return was rather flimsy, unproductive, slow.
Mind you, this wasn’t my first unplanned detour on this writing journey. You might recall last November when another health hiccup forced a similar pause (now I am not sure I shared that in here, but never mind), I stopped for two weeks and again with that rather frustrating slow come back to full momentum. And then, when I was almost back to the normal motion of writing daily, there was the joyous whirlwind of Christmas period, which stretched into a longer break than usual as we enjoyed the company of our beloved visitors and all the travelling around to show them our favourite places. Not forgetting the monumental occasion of my first book launch, which obviously took some of my time dealing with the preparations for it! Having my sister and nephew travel all the way from Brazil to share that time with us was utterly wonderful, but it also meant the manuscript remained firmly closed. Every minute of my sister being here for the first time, my nephew for the second, kept my emotions heightened for quite some time, then flattened into an emptiness I cannot even explain. Getting back into the swing of things afterwards felt like wading through treacle.
Speaking of the writing itself, this book held a particularly special task: creating seven new characters. This wasn’t just about inventing names and quirks; these characters are deeply inspired by real people, individuals who are, or once were, incredibly important to me. This made the process quite emotionally charged, a real journey down memory lane. I found myself revisiting both happy and not-so-happy interactions, trying to translate those nuances into the very message the book needs to convey. Some of these characters proved particularly challenging to bring to life, leading to a few moments of stepping back, of questioning myself, and doubting my ability to create something truly meaningful. But in the end, I am genuinely happy with how they’ve all come together.
So, there I was, feeling a tad sorry for myself post-surgery, with the editor’s timescale in mind and the emotional weight of the character creation, when it all rather came to a head. A good old panic moment descended. The June book launch suddenly loomed, and a surreal, scary thought crept in, perhaps I had to give it up. The panic, though unwelcome, did force a rethink of the entire plan. And you know what? Giving up simply isn’t in my nature. It’s just not how I’m wired. So, I dusted myself off, metaphorically speaking, and soldiered on.
A new routine emerged, a renewed sense of purpose sparked, and a healthy dose of self-discipline was well and truly recharged. And today, I’m absolutely thrilled to share a significant milestone: I have submitted the final draft to the proofreader and editor!
And through it all, I’ve been so acutely aware that this journey hasn’t been a solitary one. Even in the midst of the wobbles and the worries, there has been an undeniable undercurrent of support. I find myself thinking of the dear friends who patiently listened to my panicked ramblings, their calm words a steady anchor. My sister’s unwavering faith has been a constant source of strength, a quiet promise of constant prayers, and my nephew’s belief in me. My husband, ever present, a reassuring constant, even if sometimes bringing his autistic honesty and bluntness at the wrong moment, reminding me why I am writing this book anyhow. My daughter’s artistic contributions have woven another layer of meaning into this, and my son’s quiet confidence in my eventual success has been a steadying presence.
It’s a profound feeling, this awareness of the love and belief that surrounds me, a silent chorus urging me onward. Then there’s that voice inside me, reminding me of a time when the challenges were far greater, the external pressures immeasurable, and a whole host of other obstacles running in parallel with each other. And I did it then. It seemed impossible, but it was done. I did it.
This time, the pressure is mostly my own. I set this deadline. I decided I could dream this dream. So, this post isn’t simply about reaching a milestone. It’s about celebrating the uneven paths life gives us all the time. It’s about respecting and honouring the moments of despair because they don’t just make the triumphs sweeter, they are part of the fuel to keep on trying. It is also about the power of true friendship, family, love, and support.
Today marks a big step forward, a testament to the fact that even when we struggle and despair, we can find our footing again, often with a little help from those who believe in us.
Thank you for being a part of this journey. More updates on the book’s progress to come!
