Still Here and Moving Forward

 It's been too long since I posted anything. Family health issues and the death of someone very close to me are my reasons. And they are likely going to hobble my future posts for a bit too. However, I am still moving forward with writing and publishing.

In fact, progress has been good lately. The end is in sight for the next two Trefury novels. I've also finished a revision on an entirely different book, and written a few shorter projects.

I'm sure that, like me, writing is a healing vent for many of you - especially when real life socks you in the gut. We can take the pieces of what we are feeling or experiencing and remold them into a story, maybe make the outcome better now that we are wiser. I like trying to see things from multiple character angles, because in trying to see someone else's point of view or justifications, I grow more empathetic.

Photo by Emily from pexels.com

 This past year I've done something different with my reading, aside from a couple of newer books, I've been re-reading the books I already have. It goes into my philosophy of only buying books I intend to reread, and the library provides the new stuff to try out. So I've experienced nostalgia rereading books I bought because I intended to read them again. They've ranged from classics from other centuries to novels for kids, fiction and nonfiction, short story collections as well as door-stopper size novels. One thing I noticed about the books I've bought, I like stories that have a tone of hope in them. I'm not into gritty, dark, and sordid things - at least, those are the kinds of books I haven't bought because no matter how well written, I didn't have a desire to read them again. Books that were all flash or glitter haven't made the shelf cut in my home either. They were fun to read at the time, but they lacked depth in either plot or character to warrant a second visit. And I like romantic emotional payoff without crossing the line into details. The more self-restraint two people have the better, because it creates the kind of romantic tension I enjoy most. And once they get together, the story ends usually, keeping what is sacred and beautiful between two people private, not imagined out in gross and demeaning details meant to give a dirty thrill to the reader. I've noticed I've bought more children's, MG, and YA books than any other. (Well, aside from all the nonfiction I have.) I enjoy a wide range of genres. 

In short, rereading what I have has taught me about myself and my tastes. I've also pinpointed what stories influenced me me most. I liked the experience of rereading so much that I've decided to do it again this year - since there was no way I was going to get through my whole library last year! 

The one thing I feel I lack is my sense of writing community. I haven't had the time to participate, and have been left by the wayside - perfectly all right. No one needs to hold my hand. I have missed critiquing worthwhile projects from my peers, and receiving critiques in return. Having seen other writers disengage, for whatever reason, and disappear, it's interesting to be in that position myself. A learning opportunity, certainly. 

So to those of you who are still with me and have read this, hello again! And I invite you to look at your bookshelves and analyze your tastes to see what you can discover about yourself. What books do you reread or would reread and why?  If you're a writer, I especially wish you the hours and inspiration you need to make the vision in your mind a reality in manuscript or book form.