You matter to me. My first resilience dispatch was on March 19th, 2020. A national emergency had been declared. A pandemic was upon us. I wanted to do something to help my reader community. As a former counselor turned novelist, I have always believed in resilience. The characters I create in my novels are resilient, and though they go through rough times, they persevere with courage. I wanted to pass that on.
I committed to posting something uplifting on my Facebook Author Page and personal blog every day at 4 pm (Eastern) until we got through the Covid-19 crisis. At that point, I thought I would be creating a daily dispatch for a month or two (at most) until we got this scary pandemic under control. Little did I know.
Over the months, I adapted to the long term, writing an additional 84 dispatches, as well as working on my latest novel (the final book of the Temple Series). I trusted that I would know when it was time to step away and go back to my regular routine.
Lately, it has become harder to come up with fresh content for the dispatches. At the same time, I have been closing in on the first draft of my new novel. Months of revisions will follow—the nitty-gritty work of writing a good story. So, it makes sense to me that this is the time to return to writing books full time.
While this will be my final resilience dispatch, please know that I am not going anywhere. I will continue to post on my Facebook Author Page and blog, just not as frequently–spontaneous instead of scheduled.
In the meantime, thank you for reading. It has been an honor to spend time with you. I have greatly appreciated your numerous comments and the opportunity to get to know you better. You are a great group of folks, and I genuinely care about you.
Stay resilient, sweet readers. We will get through these challenging times and continue on—hopefully with more compassion and courage than we ever had before. Never lose heart. I promise to do the same.
Love,
Susan
P.S. This is a photograph of the chair that I sit in to write. I have had it for over a decade, and I have written several novels in this very spot.
Read the previous dispatch here.
Thank you for taking the time to write these!
Dearest Susan,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your words of encouragement ! I have so looked forward to them! Please stay safe. I am looking forward to your next book. I have read everything so far!
I will miss you, but I am looking forward to your new book. Since I am now alone and pushing 81 years young, I found your posting to be very good for my soul. I have shared them with a few close friends and have encouraged them to get your books and read them. Thank you for all you do.
I appreciate your willingness to revisit what you originally committed to, when circumstances changed (who had any clue what was–or is yet–ahead?) and to stay true to your calling as a novelist. We each have limited time for all the things we would like to do in our lives and as Alice Walker said, “We need models in our lives.” That means to me, models who tell us and SHOW us that it is acceptable to pursue our own paths and goals, and not get sidetracked even when our original intentions were laudable and valuable.
You are welcome, Nancy. Thanks so much for your comment. Stay well and safe. xo
Hi Sherry. I’m so glad the resilience dispatches have been helpful to you, and I’m honored that you’ve read my books. Take good care, too. Stay safe. xo
Thanks for all your comments, Wanda. It has been nice knowing that you appreciate the dispatches and that they felt good for your soul. That makes me proud to have done them. Take good care. xo
You are such a wonderful wordsmith, Helen. I appreciate all the encouragament you have sent my way via comments, emails, and personal notes. You have helped me stay true to myself. Thank you, my friend. xo
Thank you for writing these dispatches. I’ve saved several that I’ve gone back to for another life. Stay safe, and I’m totally jealous of your writing chair. 🙂
Thanks for your sharing!
You are a blessing!
Have fun with your new book!
HUGS
Thanks so much, Linda. Take good care! HUGS back.
Hi M.E. I’m honored that you’ve saved a few dispatches, and I understand your jealousy. It’s an awesome writing chair. 😉
Dearest Susan, Thank you for your mindful and meaningful thoughts, quotes and reflections. It has been a pleasure to follow. Blessings of abundant health and joy to you!
Thank you, Susan, for your kind words. It has been my pleasure. I am so glad you have enjoyed following the posts. Thanks so much for reading. 🙂