Now, as one might imagine, while grieving, it has been difficult mustering the lighthearted attitude I employ to write my mischievous little ghost stories for the Hesitant Mediums series. I keep watching other authors on Instagram and Facebook talk about all the things they're doing, how many words they're writing, and instead I find myself crafting a journal to help other writers instead of working on my fiction. And then, Colleen Cowley, fantastic author of the steamy Subversive series, invited me to a private Discord group for authors who write romantic fantasy.
Reader, I haven't the words, but I'll try anyway.
I've not belonged to an author community of this sort before, though I've sought it almost my entire life. There are channels about writing craft, for sure, but also, there was an entire thread about what it means to write sweet vs clean romance. And then there was a thread about one's boobs, which was hilarious and had me cackling during my work lunch. I couldn't possibly repeat the content here, but I assure you, the levity was needed and appreciated.
I have learned, over time, that the found family trope is one I drift towards. Catching the Rose, Haunting Miss Trentwood, and A Spirited Engagement all feature found families, and I do believe I have found my author family, at last. As one of them said during her welcome, it is their hope that belonging to this community will reinvigorate my flow and get me back on the creative writing horse. I certainly hope so as well, for I truly think A Spirited Engagement will be my finest work yet.
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