Well, it’s been quite a month! Eventful to say the least!
What I’ve been up to:
Family birthdays and events including a visit to a fire station on my 8-year-old fire engine-mad nephew’s birthday!
Leaving my day job to focus on my poetry – eek! My team were so supportive – one colleague wrote me a poem! They got me a poetry feedback session with the Poetry Society! I was touched by their thoughtfulness, and excited too.
A break in Sussex to catch up with myself, and an old friend, which was so soul-enriching. I slept a lot!.
Attended Jendella Benson’s book launch for All that we’ve got.
Working on Your tears fall like pearls - do sign up to hear about launch dates and events.
Join the book launch mailing list
Putting my hand to the plough
Then I had to face working on Your tears fall like pearls. To say it was overwhelming is an understatement. I went into a quiet panic and anxiety and a melange of ‘fear-of-getting-everything-wrong’, and a ‘fear-of-not-getting-it done’.
I came across this quote recently that gave me some perspective.
“Here’s how I’ve learned to deal with my fear: I made a decision a long time ago that if I want creativity in my life – and I do – then I will have to make space for fear too. Plenty of space. …. Since it appeared that they would always be together.”
Elizabeth Gilbert
It’s good to know that this is normal, fear is part of life - it’s when it overtakes you that it causes problems. My go-to is to start meditating on scripture. Scriptures where God describes himself as a shepherd taking care of his sheep have come up a lot this month. I’m trying to remember that it’s not all down to me. Also, upping the exercise and adding in relaxation techniques. It seems to be working!
We move. Onwards! Forwards ever, backwards never. We face forward.
Book production
I’ve enlisted the help of the lovely Sarah to help me with marketing, which has helped with giving some structure, accountability too.
Things are coming together nicely and I’m enjoying having the time to focus on writing and writing-related things. Over time, I’ve realised that sharing my poetry and organising events is an opportunity to get closer to my friends and family and acquaintances and make new friends.
I took some more professional photos (thanks )as it has been about 7 years since the last ones - what do you think?
Another round of proofreading is complete and the manuscript is ready to be typeset
I’m planning the marketing at the moment including the launch - whoop whoop! Do sign up to the book launch mailing list.
Look out for more content here and on my Instagram and Facebook pages. I also gave in and joined Threads so do say hello if you are on that platform.
As always do let me know your thoughts.
Till next time my Kindreds!
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