#MondayBlog I Lost Everything but Hope

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For many writers, life took an extreme detour in 2020, and all the re-calibrating, refocusing, and reassessing to locate the path back to normalcy… and writing, were simple exercises in futility.

Some have made it back. Some still struggle.

While my journey was similar, it began nearly a year before the Pandemic with the deaths of my husband and mother.

Two amazing therapists, plus meditation, journaling and medication, helped me through my grief.

But not so much with writing. The words still eluded me. Plots wouldn’t come together. Characters were flat. Blank pages mocked me.

Without Den and Mom, my two biggest cheerleaders, rallied behind me, spurring me on, I couldn’t hold it together long enough to write a paragraph. I haven’t even been able to write a review for any of the 273 books I read up to mid-2023.

Back to Therapyville I went.

My stay there wasn’t as long this time. Fewer tears and no meds… just talking it through.

Did it help? Well, I am getting book reviews written.

As for my books? We’ll see.

 

©2025 Felicia Denise, All Rights Reserved

 

Camp NaNo Update Day #20

Camp NaNo Update Day #20 banner

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Jordan_sharp

School photo shoot

As my three adult children have not seen fit to add me to the ranks of adoring grandparents, from time-to-time, I get to play Nene to my grandnephew, Jordan.

He’s three… going on forty-seven, and the reason my posts are late today and totally off topic from what I had planned.

Jordan loves all things car-related, Monster Jam Trucks, popcorn, toast (yes, toast…with butter, NO jam) and Snoopy makes him gut-laugh without moving a muscle. He also likes to speak in the third person.

And he loves stories.

I’ve added a new computer and desk to the writing cave since he was last here, so of course, he had to check it out and we had the following short conversation.

J: Whatcha’ doin’, Nene?

Me: Writing a story.

J: *Gasps* Is it a story for Jordan?

Me: No, it’s a story for big people.

J: You’re not writing a story for Jordan?

Me: No, not this time.

J:  *Thoughtful look* Are there Monster Jam trucks in the story?

Me: No, J.

J: *shakes head* Then it’s not for Jordan.

Me: Isn’t that what I said, little boy?

J: Nene, you said the story was for big people, but if there’s Monster Jam Trucks, it’s my story too.

Then he turns and walks out of the room, leaving me sitting here with a “What just happened?” look on my face.

A three-year-old just schooled me on honing in on my audience and marketing my work.

Who am I writing for?

What am I including or purposely excluding?

Do I bring those points out when promoting?

Even though he’ll never know, I need to work a Monster Jam truck reference into Sins of the Mother… or serve someone toast.

Well played, Jordan… and thanks!

Jordan at the Sabino Canyon Falls.

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Day 20 word count – 34,314

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©2018 Felicia Denise, All Rights Reserved