Update

It’s been a strange year, the beginning of our first lockdown was great for me as I spent so much time working on my books, and I was able to see what my life could be like if I was able to write full-time. It was like a dream come true.

The second half of the lockdown was harder as my Dad’s mobility became compromised and my siblings and I had to help and thankfully my dad is determined and a strong man and worked hard at his recovery. I’m in awe of his progress. Then Mum’s health went downhill and unfortunately the support which my dad received from the NHS was sadly lacking and we’re still trying to get the right support for her.

I went back to work in July and I went from being an assistant property manager in Surbiton to a property manager in Northfields. I love my new role and feel at ease in my environment, however, the workload is intense and I come home drained, barely able to focus on my writing.

However, I have finished wiring Illicit Love and have the final edit back from the editor and I’ve started to write the last in the trilogy, Healing Love. I’m very excited about this one.

I was due to be in Mexico now, but Covid! After a melt-down at work due to an accumulation of things getting the better of me and lack of sleep, I decided to book a holiday to Lanzarote which had opened up so I wouldn’t have to isolate when I got home….but then we went into full lockdown! Except I still need to work, so only have the annual leave time off.

So once more I had to motivate myself and that’s exactly what I’ve done. I finished work on Friday at 4.30pm, came home and did very little over the weekend as I allowed by body to dictate what I needed. But I have until the 26th November and I want to make the most of that time. Yesterday I worked on my marketing, editing, went for a lovely walk in the Heath and spent some quality time crafting. I realised at the end of the day I felt at peace and my soul was starting to fill up once more. Today I did more of the same but also worked on Healing Love.

I also had two purchases arrive which I indulged in to compensate for the lack of holiday. A Ninja air fryer/grill and epoxy resin kit. Both blew me away. Satay chicken, chips and grilled veg. I played with the epoxy resin also adding it to my latest project. See below, I just need to wait for the resin to dry and I can add the glass dome.

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I think I might work on Jules Robinson’s Christmas present tomorrow, so won’t be able to post a picture until after Christmas. It is a tradition that we always make each other something.

Very excited about my Amazon ranking on the UK site for A Boy from the Streets. A few more sales and I might hit the top one hundred in the Literary Sagas category but it may take a few more before I get that in Best Sellers Rank but never say never. Hard work and determination.

For the first time in a long time I am looking forward to what tomorrow brings and this isn’t something I imagined a week ago.

Keep strong and remember that even the tough times pass and from nowhere you may find the small things give you back your perspective.

Maria x