 This blog post will sound strange, but I hope to take some of what I have learned in this life with me when I die.
I don't believe in natural talent. Natural talents or people who are a prodigy might just be someone who worked on it in a past life. I will give you a piano player as an example. We will name him Tim. At first, Tim comes across a piano, and he plays it a little, and Tim kind of likes it. And then, in a second life, Tim played again. Maybe Tim liked it again. I picture Tim drawn to the music or the instrument, and it felt familiar, so he would want to play. Okay, now let's say Tim had always touched those keys, and maybe it was just a reminisce of Tim's last life when he played. And so, in the next life, Tim encounters a piano, and he is a panio teacher. Or maybe Tim played in a jazz club. (I could see Tim as a jazz guy.) Tim was good but not great. Our boy Tim simply likes the music or the instrument and is captivated, and people say things like, "You picked up the piano so fast, Tim." Or they say, "You must have an ear for music, Tim." But it's not as simple as that. I think Tim played and learned, and some of that knowledge goes with him into the next life. Tim got to keep it when he died. Then, he becomes a prodigy who plays Mozart at the age of five. Am I explaining this right? One day, I want to wake up and be able to write a book even though I'm only four years old. I want writing to be a familiar comfort, like the hug of a family friend. I want to take what I have learned and keep it for the next life. I want to keep going. Here's to hoping.
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 When I started writing One Strong Gale, I thought deeply about how to create this love story because I didn’t want jealousy to be a problem. Realistic handling of jealousy, insecurity, and conflict is crucial when building a story that involves three people.
I had to solve how Gale, Josie, and Vin would navigate falling in love and what tensions would arise. When handled thoughtfully, these elements would form a coherent story that was woven properly. While I am writing, it isn’t just about three attractive people coming together. I want to explore the complexities of love, loyalty, and personal growth in a unique and engaging way. At the core of this novel, I had to look deeply at each character’s power dynamics and what they wanted out of life. Vin, Gale, and Josie all have their own goals and interests, and I had to consider how their pasts would shape their approach to a relationship. I wanted each of these people to be captivating and have a unique personality, background, and set of skills. My hope was that these characters would bring something different to each other’s lives. Now the question is, did I hit my mark? Well, that will be for you (my awesome reader) to decide. No matter what, I will just keep trying to give all my characters in whatever story I'm writing depth, flaws, and their own character arcs. I just have to keep going.  March is always a crazy month in my life. This month is full of birthdays and anniversaries, which means there are places to be and presents to buy. When I am super busy, like I am now, I remind myself to take care.
So, I guess I am reminding all of you to do the same thing. I think everyone needs to take a moment to pause, breathe deeply, and reflect on their well-being. We love others and take care of them, but we must love ourselves, too. If we were the main character of our story (which we are), when you step back and look at it from an author's point of view, we can see all the things being tossed at our main character. Equally, we can see then when it is time to rest. I think everyone needs time for rest and renewal. We, too, need time to replenish our energy and restore our spirit. Self-care isn't an indulgence—it's the essential foundation that sustains our creativity, deepens our empathy, and enriches our lives. When we nurture ourselves, we cultivate the very essence that makes us who we are. Here are some suggestions… (All of these ideas pair well with a book by C.M. Moore)
I genuinely believe there is time to create established rituals that nourish both body and soul. Just as our favorite literary characters find strength in moments of quiet reflection, we, too, can discover renewed creativity and resilience through mindful self-care practices. Be well, my friends.  Blurbs are not my strong suit. I am unsure if there is an author out there who likes creating that bit that goes on the back of a book. If there is a person who enjoys it, maybe I should meet them sometime—not so much to meet them as to stand back and gaze at them with awe.
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