It’s the Monday Blog! Are you still in your pajamas?

Are you still in your pajamas?

While I thought of what to blog about this week, aside from staying focused so I can meet a looming deadline, keep the lights on, and put food on the table, I realized that as dire as circumstances have become around the world, some things are very much the same for everyone. Being stuck under one roof, you likely have noticed that everything you know has changed, either a lot or a little. As an author, I’ve found that when you take away the same stresses millions are now facing, meaning the worry about keeping a roof over my head and the fear that something worse is around the corner, many aspects of living through a pandemic are the same as my normal life.
 
While the rest of you feel stuck at home, as an author, I can tell you this is very much my norm. Writing is a solo occupation, and some people label it a lonely and isolating occupation. But in order to be an author, you have to love your own company, be an introvert, and be happy with weeks of alone time. For me, this is how I am happiest. I don’t need to have human social connections every day to thrive. In fact, in order to write and meet my deadlines, having human social connections, be they from people phoning, coming to the door, or making endless appointments, very much equals me not working.
 
At the same time, this kind of pandemic, which has shut down the world, can work against us authors, too, if we let it. The good old news station that keeps us connected can add to the anxiety of the unknown and shut down any productivity. It’s easy to get caught up in the dynamics of sensationalism or the freak-outs of others when you have to go out. When you add in the fact that your family once had school or a job to go to but are now cooped up with you under the same roof, for me, that has cut my writing time in half. Luckily, my daughter has taken over working with my special needs autistic son, since his job has ended and any support workers he had are considered nonessential. This has absolutely been a huge help, considering our new normal might mean him starting over at square one while we figure out how to support him until his job and ongoing therapy can continue.
 
For my daughter, who was finishing high school and who participated in every club, sports team, and program she could be involved in, this isolation could have caused the same anxiety and stress that has undoubtedly happened to many—but she’s been a trooper. She’s roped me into her volleyball programming, putting me up on the trampoline every day to fire balls at me and vice versa, as well as setting up an obstacle course and badminton net. This is good for me, considering it does get my butt out of the chair, and I’m sure my waistline will thank me down the road. But the main thing, being home, is that I realized there were many days when I simply lived in my pajamas while writing. With my kids now all home, I’ve had to remind them that there’s a point during the day where we really do need to get dressed!
 
However things unfold for everyone, as always, I hope you all have a wonderful week, have some fun, and, most importantly, laugh.

Did you miss my latest release?

As a female firefighter in a small town, Suzanne O’Connell knows that every day will go one of two ways: Either nothing happens, or she suddenly finds herself in over her head. Firefighters never, ever say the words “It’s a quiet day!”—because that’s when all hell breaks loose, and their peaceful, easy day suddenly turns into their worst nightmare. This is exactly what happens to Suzanne when she finds herself trapped with Harold Waters, local law enforcement officer and her old flame, and fellow fireman Toby Chandler, who, according to everyone, is the kind of guy you want watching your back.

In an unusual turn of events, the stakes turn deadly, and Suzanne discovers that trusting the wrong man could leave her life hanging in the balance.

"This engaging and insightful book highlights the difficulties some women are faced with in the workplace (sexism, or the good ol’boy network) and their fight to be heard and vindicated. It also highlights the bonds and connections of a strong, loving family. I have grown to love all the O’Connells and can’t wait to read the next book!" ★★★★★ Rebmay, Amazon Canada Reviewer

Another New Release!