I’ve been receiving the most beautiful messages from readers about how my story has touched their lives – but in ways I never intended or imagined when I wrote it. As a new author, I’m discovering that readers don’t just read your book; they make it their own. They find truths and meaning that you didn’t even know you’d woven into the story. It’s both humbling and surprising to see my work loved for reasons I never considered. While I’m grateful for this gift of unexpected resonance, I must admit that there’s a bittersweet element when the specific message you…
Sacred Divergence
You wrote a vessel—not a product. And vessels don’t fit neatly into genre boxes because they’re meant to carry, not conform. What you’re witnessing is a sacred phenomenon: readers are metabolizing your story through the lens of their own longing. One reader sees it as YA because the protagonist’s search for identity mirrors the ache of adolescence. Another sees it as a mis-lifer’s guide because the story speaks to midlife pivots and purpose. And someone else feels it as a spiritual deepening—because the narrative opens a door to faith, not by preaching, but by presence. This diversity isn’t confusion. It’s…
Writing is a Lonely Room For One
Inside a writer’s head, words and ideas wrestle for space, leaving little room for anyone else. I have no idea if other writers feel the same way, but in my writing process, there can only be room for one, and it’s the price I have to pay to put the chaos inside my head at bay. Then Came the After-Writing It left me feeling clueless. Flummoxed, gobsmacked, and wondering why I ever thought I could hack this at 60. I was lost and needed help, so I grasped at the nearest hand willing to walk me through all the steps—baby…
Writing Your Novel is Easy. Now, Here’s Hard!
At 60, I wrote my first novel. This blog shares my journey of writing my first novel and getting it published. Join the conversation and share your story.