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
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