Happy New Year!
I'm one of the many, many people who was ready to drop kick 2018 back to the dark ages. Whew, that was a rough year for a lot of us. For me personally, it was the hardest year of my life so far, and that's really saying a lot because I've had some doozies in the past. Since I lost my father in February I've been struggling off and on with depression, and it's been hard for me to dive back into my writing. I say that not to evoke sympathy or pity. I'm just being real, knowing I'm not the only one who has been struggling. I'm also not going to promise my readers (again) that I will finish a book this year, but I will admit it's my top resolution for 2019. I'm not doing it for them (sorry, readers). I'm hoping to do it for me.
Now that 2018 is gone and done, I've picked myself up and am brushing myself off, ready to give it another go.
The truth is, writing is therapeutic for me in the same way that reading is therapeutic for many people. Because I'm a new homeowner, I've been working a lot of freelance jobs in addition to my day job to pay the bills and feed my three cats (did I mention I adopted two more? Pets are also great at making you feel better. Just sayin'). I don't have much free time, but I've stocked my Audible account full of HEAs and have been listening to books for the past few months. It's done wonders for me mentally and pulled me partly out of the funk I've been in. I agree wholeheartedly with Maureen's post from yesterday. Books are wonderful escapism.
To anyone out there struggling to feel positive, my advice is to do the same. I mean, you're here, so there's a strong chance you like to read, right? We all know romance novels are pretty much the only books guaranteed to have HEAs (Happily Ever Afters). Even if you're not ordinarily a fan of romance books, listen to me. Load your Kindle or Audible account full of them and go. You might ask yourself, "Why am I listening to this crap?" but listen anyway. I promise you that by the end of that first book, you'll be feeling better about life. And then read or listen to another, and another. It's some of the best medicine in the world.
That said, I just finished a Jill Shalvis book and am looking for another to try. Recommendations, anyone? Leave them in the comments.
And Happy New Year, everyone. May 2019 be much better for all of us.
**
Angela Campbell is the author of the Psychic Detectives series from Harper Impulse. Learn more about her books at www.AngelaCampbellOnline.com. 
Best wishes to a better 2019. Sometimes life just hits you in the gut and it takes a while to recover. I hope things line up for you now and that you are out of the dark pit of depression. Whether that's just you doing lots of escapist reading or finding your writing mojo, I hope that you take whatever you need.
ReplyDeleteI had a rough 2017 and 2018 (had to put our dog to sleep, my husband lost his youngest brother unexpectedly, flooded with Harvey, Contractor flaked out on us, got depressed, husband's father almost lost but able to get a stent placed). Everyone has those years and it just sucks. I hope everything turns around for you. I think we are finally out of the worst of it (knock on wood!).
2018 sure was a tough year *shares a virtual hug* I LOVE your advice about romance novels. The hope in them and the guaranteed happy ending makes them a tonic (such an oldfashioned word). Shelly Laurenston's novels are re-reads for me. Lots of fun (and sex and violence - so not the read if you're looking for something sweet).
ReplyDeleteAwesome article! Thank you!
ReplyDelete