Monday, January 25, 2016

Second Chances




We all need a second, or even a third, chance once in a while. At this moment, that would be me. I’ve decided to give myself a second chance. Life has turned me sideways, backwards, and upside down – more than once. However, we do what we have to do, and get on with things.

My husband used to say some people are cockroaches, and he didn’t mean that in a negative way. Cockroaches have survived throughout the ages, while other critters, and people, haven’t. To him, being a cockroach meant you’re a survivor. You deal with things and move on, which isn’t always easy.

This past year has been particularly challenging, to the point that I haven’t written a word for over eight months, other than a few blog posts. I’ve only read two books, and I’m normally an avid reader.

It’s time to get back on that ol’ horse, so to speak, and move on with life, writing and reading, life holding the #1 spot on my list.

I just started reading “Deadly Occupation” by Suzanne Adair, an historic mystery that I’m really enjoying. It’s feels good to start anew with a good book.

I’m researching for a project that I’m anxious to tackle. It will be a time travel mystery, something different for me, and I’m anxious to get started.

I write lighter mysteries with a touch of humor. My goal has always been to brighten someone’s day and to entertain them. In the process, I’ve discovered that writing the Sandi Webster Mysteries and The Bogey Man Mysteries has brightened my own days.

I moved from Arizona to Washington in December, and life has changed once again. The two states are so different that I see a whole new arena opening for me and my books. Interesting, because the time travel book will probably take place in Los Angeles. That’s partly because I come from a long line of Californians, and I grew up hearing stories about what things were like in the good ol’ days.

Let me be a cheerleader today. Things haven’t gone well for you in the past year or two? Excuse yourself from the Pity Party and get on with life. If you need to write a book in order to escape the rigors of life, do it. If you need to read a book to escape reality for a little while, do it.

Your sales are down? So are those of many of us. Keep writing anyway. It can be very therapeutic. Things will turn around. I can feel it in my bones. (Or is that just part of the aging process?)

If things aren’t working out for you in the Book Biz, turn a corner and take a different route. I had two traditional publishers, and I appreciated them. However, I decided to strike out on my own. Surprisingly, I like being my own boss. I’m not telling anyone to self-publish, but it’s worked for me – for now. I may turn another corner in the future and go in a whole new direction.

Second chances. They’re there for the taking, and I’m beginning again. For the second time. And I’m going to have fun. I’m a cockroach. Ohhh, that doesn’t sound good. Who wants to be a cockroach? Ah, that would be me.

I read somewhere that “we plan and God laughs”. He knows what’s best for us so in the end, we’ll figure out where we’re supposed to be and what we should be doing. I’ll keep planning, and He’ll keep laughing, but We’ll get there yet.

Until next time, I hope you have a week of second chances and new beginnings.

Please check out my website at www.marjamcgraw.com. I’ll be updating it soon, and you won’t want to miss anything.

CLICK HERE to visit Marja McGraw’s website
CLICK HERE for a quick trip to Amazon.com

28 comments:

  1. What a fantastic post, Marja! You've gone through so much in the past couple of years but you're not one to let "life" get you down - at least not for long. Instead, you're an inspiration to all of us. Thank you!

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    1. Thank you, Pat! I've never thought of myself as an inspiration. I hope you're right. : )

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  2. I agree with Patricia. And whilst I was reading it I was thinking about all that snow in your neck of the woods. I guess if you can post on your blog you're not too seriously effected. Best of luck with your new start.

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    1. Thank you, Frank! By the way, I'm in southern Washington state, not D.C., so we have lots of rain, but very little snow. And my heart goes out to those in the "snow zone". Have a great day!

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  3. I was so happy to read this very positive post from you Marja. I truly admire the way you've dealt with your personal tragedy and with life in general. It's a new way for a new year, and I know I speak for all your friends when I say, "It's good to have you back."

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    1. Thank you so much! It's good to BE back. We all deserve a chance to start over, and I'm taking life up on that. : )

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  4. I agree with the above posts and it's definitely great to read your blog once again. Your time travel intrigues me as I've been working on a TT series for a long time--the sequel to my Vv Tiger trilogy. Will you have new characters or will some of the "regulars" from your previous books travel back or forward in time?

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    1. The book will be all new characters and it will be a standalone. Love your Vv Tiger series and I look forward to the sequel. I hope I can once again entertain you with my posts. :)

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  5. Thanks for the great post, Marja. I've had some setbacks in the past few months, and your encouragement has brightened my outlook for the future. I'm feeling better about everything now. You've made my day.

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    1. Glad to help, Evelyn, and I'm glad you're feeling better. That second chance for you is just around the corner.

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  6. Glad you are settled enough for writing. Looking forward to reading your new line of time adventures. Second chances are a great thing to experiment with in life.

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    1. You made me smile, Jake. Experiments are what life is all about -- always trying something new or changing it.

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  7. So glad you're back on track--whatever that might be, but you definitely have new adventures ahead.

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    1. Thank you, Marilyn, and I'm not sure about the track either. Sometimes we just muddle our way through life. : )

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  8. You're quite a person, Marja, glad we're friends. Your post was perfect for me to read today. All the best, because you deserve it...

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  9. Thank you, Madeline! I'm glad it was timely for you, and I'm glad we're friends, too.

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  10. Glad to see you back, Marja. And with good advice for all of us.

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  11. I've missed you, but it large part because I've been "gone" too. Almost no presence on social media (blogs and all) for many months. It was NOT a good year for me, either. But what a great, uplifting post! I always enjoyed your energy! My new mantra: Be a cockroach! lol

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    1. Yeah, us cockroaches have to stick together. : ) I'm sorry you've had a less than perfect year and I hope this one is better.

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  12. Glad to see your new post. I've missed you! Hope 2016 exceeds all of your hopes/expectations.

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    1. I wish the same for you, Sharon, and it's good to be back. I've missed all of you, too.

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  13. This is a great post, Marja, full of hope and persistence that your blog readers can share. I wish you the happiest of new year's and a very productive one.

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    1. Thank you, Eileen! There's always hope -- for all of us. Sometimes things just don't go the way we expect, and we have to learn to deal with things.

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  14. Wonderful to see you online again! Love the idea of a time travel book and wish you great success. If you need a sounding board, a cheerleader, or just somebody at the other end of the line, email/PM me. And when you're ready, come do a Q&A (or whatever you like) on dogmysteries.

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    1. Thank you, Susan! Your offers are very generous. I'll take you up on it when things are settled.

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  15. So nice to hear from you, Marja. I've also started a new journey, away from cat mysteries, to WWII humorous adventure mysteries in my new book, Mrs. Odboddy-Hometown Patriot. We're pretty excited about it. Hope you get a chance to check it out. Would love to promote on anybody's site that's interested! Blessing to you in your new home. Hope you have a lovely writing desk overlooking trees, garden or lake! That would be wonderful.

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  16. Thank you for your good wishes, Elaine! I look forward to reading one of the Mrs. Odboddy books when I can. From what I've seen, the look pretty good.

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