I’ve been pretty much absent from the usual cyber places lately—Twitter, Facebook, my blog, ect. It’s funny to think of the Internet as a “place,” but it kind of is. I disappeared when I was fighting breast cancer and just sort of never came back (I’m totally fine. Reconstruction at the end of September!).
I mostly took the summer off. My daughter only did a couple days of camp a week. The rest of the time was summer figure skating training, so I was heavily involved with her stuff. Also, I just needed some time off. I needed to relax with coffee in the mornings, spend time in my garden, meet up with friends. That sort of thing. I needed no stress, no deadlines, no “shoulds,” no “oughts,” and no word count goals. I needed to let writing go so I could find it again.
Writers need to be careful not to turn the thing they love into something they resent. I never want writing to feel like my old cubicle job. If it feels like that, I’ll quit. And there’s nothing like cancer to put life into perspective for you.
But I haven’t quit writing, and I have found my love of it renewed. I’m back to word count goals now…and I want them. I’m well into the third novella in the Mates of the Lycaon series and I’m really enjoying the world and characters.
Other than ferrying my daughter to the ice rink and back, the summer was filled with raising Monarch butterflies (give me a few minutes and I’ll bore you to tears about their decreased numbers due to pesticides killing off all the milkweed….), my organic garden, and chicken raising.
Chicken raising! OMG, what was I thinking? Well, I know what I was thinking—we have the space, I have the time….free range eggs!!! They’re a lot of work, though, those free range eggs.
Right now I have three bunches of chickens. The first bunch is three young pullets that just started laying (first pic is of Juliette, Claudia and Priscilla).
The second bunch is made up of nine week old Rhode Island Reds (second pic). Unfortunately, they are mostly turning out to be roosters. (If a farmer ever tells you he can sex a week old chick by looking at their wings, run away.)
The third group is only two weeks old and will be in the brooder for awhile (third pic…cute, right?). Eventually I’ll get all the groups grown up and integrated, though most of the roosters are going to have to go.
Welcome back to the world of the internet, Anya! Even though I adore you and all of your work and am eager for your next release, I can completely understand that family comes first. I’m excited to hear that your recovery is going well. Glad to hear you enjoyed your summer and I can’t wait for your next release!
by Michelle G. August 30th, 2013 at 11:11 amI’m so relieved to know you’re out of the woods with the BC. Can’t imagine how terrifying it must have been going through something like that.
As for writing, I’m on the same page. Forcing myself to write, usually amounts to very little usable pages. Enjoying the words is a whole new element. Sometimes we have to allow some living in between those words. (Hugs) Indigo
by Indigo August 30th, 2013 at 4:19 pmI’m glad you are healthy again. I met you twice, once when you signed at our Waldenbooks in Blaine, and once at BEA. I’ve enjoyed your stories and look forward to reading more. I pray for continued healing for you.
by Emmi Nelson August 31st, 2013 at 5:38 amGlad to hear you are so much better and in good spirits too!
by Diane August 31st, 2013 at 12:21 pmSounds like a wonderful summer! Happy to hear you are mending and kicking cancer’s a$$!
by Jen Twimom September 1st, 2013 at 2:27 pmSo glad you are back! I’ve been checking in all summer waiting for word of your health. It sounds like you’ve had a fantastic summer and I am anxiously awaiting your next story. Best wishes and lots of heartfelt hugs for your health.
by Heather September 9th, 2013 at 3:50 pmI have a been a big fan of your books for a long time! Keep fighting the good fight and keep you spirits up!!! My mom had breast cancer and is cancer free for 5 years now!!! Some times in life you have to stop and smell the roses and take a little time for yourself. 😉
by Sarah Jane Himes October 28th, 2013 at 6:30 am