Join the IWSG monthly blog hop here: http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
Autumn is a second spring, when every leaf is a flower.
— Albert Camus
Here in the Pacific Northwest, the autumn rains have returned. Like a drummer, now light and playful, now driving and thunderous, drops vibrate the roof above my office.
It’s time for another IWSG blog hop. The Insecure Writers Support Group is a marvelous space where weary writers can let down their hair, shed their bras and Spanx, kick off those tight shoes, and let out a deep, cleansing primal scream. (Gents, adjust wardrobe as needed.) This month’s blog hop is hosted by Dolorah @ Book Lover, Christopher D. Votey, Tanya Miranda, and Chemist Ken! Thanks, y’all! If you count yourself among the throng of insecure writers, click on the link above and join the chorus.
This month’s question: How do major life events affect your writing? Has writing ever helped you through something?
I started my first novel, a cozy mystery, while unhappily married to my former spouse. When he blasted the TV and pontificated from his recliner chair, I’d flee upstairs to our office and plot murder—purely fictional, of course. Shutting that door and plunging into my imaginary world was sooo therapeutic.
The odious ex is long gone, but now I’m worrying over my mother’s illness. I expected my writing well to dry up until her situation stabilized. Fortunately, the writing’s going pretty well. While awaiting word on my release date for Through the Red Door, I’m editing the second contemporary romance in the Book Nirvana series. Spending time in a world where the Happy Ever After is guaranteed helps soothe worries over an uncertain present. So does reading stacks of romance novels. Honestly, I couldn’t face a dark, gloomy narrative at the moment. When writing fiction, I have control over the outcome. In real life, not so much.
Speaking of, if steamy (but not kinky) contemporary romance tickles your fancy, please hop over to my home page and sign up for my monthly reader newsletter.
Coming soon from The Wild Rose Press, my debut contemporary romanceClara Martelli clings to Book Nirvana, the Oregon bookshop she and her late husband Jared built together. When rising rents and corporate competition threaten its survival, her best hope is their extensive erotica collection, locked behind a red door. In dreams and signs, her dead husband tells her it’s time to open that door and move on. When a dark and handsome stranger’s powerful magnetism jolts her back to life and he wants a look at the treasures of that secret room, she can’t help but want to show him more.
Professor Nick Papadopoulos is looking for historical erotica. Book Nirvana’s collection surpasses his wildest dreams, and so does its lovely owner. A widower, he understands Clara’s battle with guilt, but their searing chemistry is too strong to resist. Besides, he will only be in town for two weeks, not long enough for her to see beyond the scandal that haunts his past.
I’m glad that writing is helping you through this trying time. Good luck with the editing! Happy IWSG day 🙂
Ronel visiting on Insecure Writer’s Support Group day: Course Correction
Often our fictional worlds provide a refuge our bruised hearts need. I agree: in our narrative worlds, we get to choose the ending. To keep it feeling real, we have to inject tension and loss — but that is all right since we know how it all will end. May your writing be a healing refuge in this hard time. Thanks for visiting my blog. Roland
I think you’ve hit on something really important about this journey: that with fiction, we get to control the outcome. I hadn’t thought about it in precisely those words before, but it makes a lot of sense. I’m totally doing that, and it’s because I need it.
Everyone needs a retreat at some time or another. Writer’s are fortunate in that we create our own healing spaces – as well as hiding places when necessary. Like you, I’m reading a book outside my norm and am thoroughly enjoying the freshness. Excellent post, Sadira! You have an engaging way of speaking from the hearts of all of us.
Wow, sounds really good! (Through the Red Door). I remember spending one summer on vacation in Wisconsin with my parents. I had run out of my sci-fi books and my mom had a ton of ‘bodice ripper’ types she said to feel free to read. I was going through about 3 a day…talk about potato chip reading!
I also like happy endings in fiction and dislike dark and gloomy. Unfortunately, dark and gloomy seem to dominate many genres these days. That’s why I write. My stories always have happy endings.
Congrats on your upcoming debut, and thanks for your kind words on my blog. I find any kind of inner turmoil makes it very difficult for me to write–I’m glad you’re able to push through.
Hope everything goes well with your mom.
Thanks for your kind thoughts.
It’s such a great escape to flee to a world where everything ends on a happy note.
Congratulations on your upcoming release.