2020-2022: A Timeline of Gratitude

It isn't easy being a self published author. It isn't easy being a self published author with a full time job that got really busy during the pandemic. It isn't easy being a self published author with a full time job and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and an anxiety disorder.

As the year is coming to a close, I wanted to revisit the last two years. What a crazy two years it has been!

I started travel nursing as an ICU RN in July 2020. I have been to places around Florida, Baltimore, MD, Seattle, WA, and currently Albuquerque, NM. Not only has this been an opportunity to see the US, but a way for me to experience different cultures throughout our nation. So far, New Mexico has been my favorite location. There is a natural authenticity here and history everywhere you look. One of my favorite things about traveling is going to independent bookstores in the various locations I have been. Some of my favorites so far are: Elliot Bay Book Company, Phinney Books, Greedy Reads, Atomic Books, Charm City Books, Old Fox Books, and Books on the Bosque. Maybe I will end up doing a whole blog post in itself explaining why I enjoy each of those bookstores so much.

Besides travel nursing, I published my first children's book, Marty the Mailbox Monster, on Dec 4, 2020. Since then I have published a second children's book, Pickles the Piddlin' Pup on Nov 17, 2021. I have donated signed copies of Marty the Mailbox Monster to the students in Pre-K through 1st grade at Ortona Elementary School in Daytona Beach, FL and have copies inside a school library in Ormond Beach, FL. Both copies of my books are being sold online through major retailers like Barnes and Noble and indie bookstores like Writer's Block Bookstore in Orlando, FL and Bookshop.org. I am so grateful to know that my words are getting into children's hands and that they actually resonate with the stories being told.

That's all I have ever wanted as a writer. To give back to the community with my words what books did for me as a child. They kept me safe in times of distress and helped my imagination blossom.

As someone with anxiety and especially OCD, it can be hard to get through projects and put myself out there. I realize it has been a long time since I have made a blog post and even longer since I have updated my website. My OCD makes it hard to get through things in a timely manor or without the project totally consuming my life. I recently quit a part time job that was taking much of my brain power, so that I can focus on my job as a nurse, travel, and my writing. Doing so has allowed me to make space for creating, something I had been missing for some time.

In the last two years I have really gotten to know my authentic self. I am terrified, yet excited to share her with you all.

Head on over to my Instagram for my first ever book reading. I am hoping to do another soon from my second book. Letting go of my second job allowed me to carve out the time for the book reading. Time that I otherwise would've spent obsessing over taxes, accounting, and emails for my other job. Now I can obsess over writing and learning to promote myself more. Things that are worth more than money can buy,

If you have made it this far reading...Thank You. I have saved some of the most exciting news for last.

I have been working on my YA fantasy duology again. I plan on finishing the first draft by new years and a second draft by late winter/early spring, which will then go out to beta readers. If you have interest in being a beta reader, feel free to shoot me an e-mail. I already have a few, but could use a couple more. I might even post fun bits and pieces of the first book on here, so keep a look out!

Second bit of news, I have had such a positive response to Marty the Mailbox Monster that I been chatting with my illustrator about possibly doing a second book. Sign up for my e-mailing list to be alerted first with more news about this.

As an author that started through the pandemic, I just want to say a big thank you to my readers and anyone that has been a part of this journey in any way since 2020. I am grateful to have family and friends that have supported me from the moment Marty the Mailbox Monster popped into my head until it was published and long after.

Thank you. Here is to more years of travel, writing, reading, and better mental health!

Below is a photo from a place I have found to be inspirational in the mountains of Albuquerque. Tinkertown Museum