Every Cloud has a Silver Lining

Well, 2015 is over half-way up and now that my children are all back at school I can reflect and decide what I want to achieve this year.

I have not published anything new in a while, mainly because I am working on a bigger project, and family life has taken over as you can see from the lack of blogs, etc. I also think that Social Media is not as exciting as it once was... (yep, the phrase "in the good old days" seems relevant).

I am guilty of the crime many others commit. I check what's going on and then leave. I barely have time for much conversation. It has become part of normal life to check on my emails, Twitter, Facebook, etc. When I started using them it was exciting. The possibilities seemed endless. Yet, as much as I love seeing the updates of my friends, family, and "connections" it seems empty if you don't actually talk to people.

Talking? What is that I hear you ask.

This is why I love books and reading. I can escape into a different world without any expectations other than those I seek. If I don't enjoy the story I leave it... especially when it's a freebie download via my kindle!

We all take what we want from this life. 

I have just bought two very interesting books...

HUMAN UNIVERSE

SAPIENS

I guess it is part of who I am that I want to know about my past and what makes me human. To try to understand why I am so irrational!

My interest in Science and Evolution should come as no surprise since I have written a paranormal novel based on the idea of a new evolutionary species. I am also working on a historical fiction novel, which has enabled me to analyse me ancestral past and how it potentially shaped me.

I wonder why we all strive to overachieve and, if we fail to do so, why we feel like a huge disappointment?

I feel like I am failing because I have not published a book since 2013, but I know that I have never been happier as a person. I love my family and feel truly blessed in many ways. This week I have also had some fantastic news which will put my fragmented jigsaw puzzle of a life back together again.

So, we should all try to maintain some patience. Life is not a race it is a journey. I love the expression "Every Cloud has a Silver Lining"... so, so true.

I hope things that happen to bring you down get offset by something to make you smile. Let's remember to pick up that phone, meet up, and talk to people. It's so easy to lead a hermit life. I know.

Anyway, to all my Gibraltarian friends & family - HAPPY NATIONAL DAY! Everyone will be in red & white today on the Rock! Have fun...

All the best,
Vanessa

50,000 VIEWS! Thank you to all... #VWAuthor

I just realised that my blog has been viewed 50,000 times!

This is another milestone in my epic journey from stay-at-home mum to writer (& social media obsessive!)

Five years ago, I decided to write for fun. I needed to let my mind go crazy and talking to myself was not very healthy!

One of my creations!

I am fortunate and lucky to be able to spend time with my children, whilst entertaining hobbies! I keep busy though... at the moment, I volunteer at the local Foodbank, help out with reading at my daughter's school, work during lunchtimes in a supervisory role, home tutor, read, and when I have time... write!

It seems apt to have reached 50,000 views when I am so close to 50,000 words on my new novel. A labour of love, I think. I also have 50 reviews for HYBRID via Amazon UK! So, fifty is a great number...

To anyone who has a dream, follow it. Whatever happens, never be the one that looks back on their life and wonder where it went and regrets decisions made. Even if things do not end up as you hoped, make the most of it.

This is what I try to do.

I may not be the career-driver business woman I thought I wanted to be when I was twenty, but I am happy. The simplest things are the best.

Thank you all for your support & encouragement.

All the best,
Vanessa

p.s. Look what someone wrote via Facebook today. It made my day!

"Hi, I read the Evolution Trilogy recently and it was great. I wonder will you write the epilogue book of Caitlin and Steve as the fourth book?"

Well, in answer to that, I never say never.

Perseverance

For my first post of the year, I want to talk about perseverance...

I am naturally the kind of person who takes on a new challenge full on. I love to work hard, problem solve and find solutions. I think this is why I thought I would make a great Accountant many years ago - I probably would have too, if I enjoyed the office environment. But alas, I didn't. I do love to share knowledge and am very patient, which is why I decided to retrain as a school teacher. I know I enjoy teaching - both swimming teaching and helping students do better at/ pass maths gives me great satisfaction.

If you read about me on this blog, you will see that since I had children I had to reinvent myself again since I opted to stay at home, due to my husbands work commitments. It is really hard to do this (it was for me anyway) but I embraced it and delved into the world of crafting, PTA committees, etc... I have not always remained upbeat about this since my brain was shriveling up at times and I longed for some adult company. But, over the years I have made some amazing friends and been humbled by many situations I hear about.

What I find is that as my children get older, I get a huge sense of satisfaction at being here for them when they finish school, and I know I am lucky to be able to do this. But, this does not detract from the fact I am currently in "no-mans" land.

After reinventing myself again and becoming a "writer/ publisher", I find I am lacking confidence again.

Don't get me wrong, I am very proud (and bewildered) by the fact I have finished my Trilogy - how did I find time to do that? I have NO idea... at the moment, time flies through my fingers like rain falls from the sky (I am in England!)

The problem is, I do not have a very thick skin. Reviews do get to me. I don't burst into tears or anything like that, but seeing as I have changed my clothing (so as to speak) so often, I am very quick to think - forget it! Get back to your "real" day job...

There are so many things I can do with my time - is writing really the best use of it? I would love to hear from other writers to know what motivates you, what keeps you going, why?

I try to remember the writer I was four years ago, when I finally put my thoughts down. I was someone who was bored of brainless TV, who needed to escape by writing, who did it for fun - not for ratings, who just wanted to remember things that made me laugh/ cry and adapt them into a story.

I have honestly done as much as I am willing to do at the moment to promote my books, and I have had some success - thank you to anyone who has purchased my books. I appreciate it. It has been brilliant fun to see my books in the charts.

Now, it is time to start writing again... to escape and find my sanctuary.

I will still be around Twitter and if you want to chat, have a book you want me to promote, etc - please include me in the link.

Here's to 2014 - a year that will hopefully give me an insight into what exactly I should do with my life...

All the best & thanks for reading,

Vanessa :) xx