Happy Friday readers!
It is with a heavy heart that I announce today that I am taking a break from writing. I haven’t been able to post much here anyway, so you probably won’t notice much difference. Or, maybe you will. Maybe without the weight of the writing I am not getting done hanging over my shoulder I can do more here. Spend more time outside, playing with the kids, and taking pictures of the world.
I haven’t lost the desire to write or to publish more books. Quite the contrary. All of the stories are still in my head, patiently waiting for their turn to emerge. But without my heart in it, I can’t do their stories justice.
In truth, I have been struggling with a pretty serious depression since the loss of my father in April, followed by the loss of my uncle in August. It seems loss and death are all around me and I cannot see any point in bringing more life (albeit fictional) into the world right now with so much darkness.
I need to reconnect with the passion that drove me to write A Covid Christmas Story in 9 months. The passion that drove me to write every single day without fail, regardless of what was going on around me. The passion to put writing first, ahead of mind-numbing video games and mindless television reruns.
So, here’s to drinking pumpkin spice tea while wearing a hoodie and enjoying the leaves falling outside. I’ll be around, posting pictures of fall activities, talking about mental health, and trying to make sense of the world around me! I’ll see you all soon!
Until next time,
Cathy Marie Bown
Cathy Marie Bown 