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.

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