It's good to be back

I started this blog back in 2012, which is also the same year I published my first book, The Color of Thunder. There were only two posts for that year. The first one included an excerpt from my book, and the second one was a copy of the press release questionnaire that my publisher at the time had me fill out as part of my marketing campaign.

Over the next six years, I wrote another 236 posts. That comes out to about forty posts per year. The last one went up almost exactly eight years ago. I was nearly finished writing the third book in the Goddess of Tornado Alley series, and that post was about my beautiful black cat, Mouse, going after a big moth and the parallel of that with a scene in the book I was writing. We had a new puppy then—our sweet Tara, a golden retriever—and I wrote about how interesting it had been trying to write a book and potty train at the same time. It was a normal post for me. It was about writing with a bunch of other stuff thrown in.

It was about this time that I decided to start posting on a new website I was beginning to build. I was about to publish my seventh book and was told a website was a must for an author. Blogs had fallen out of favor—or so some people believed—and I thought it would be easier to maintain either a blog or a website but not both. I was still writing personal essays, still writing about my writing, still publishing.

In May 2026, I published my twenty-fifth novel. TWENTY-FIVE. That number is unbelievable to me. Let me correct that; it would have been unbelievable to the me who had just published my first book back in 2012. It's not unbelievable to the me I am right now. I do believe it is a huge accomplishment, though. A lot has happened in the eight years since I last posted on this blog. That big black kitty, Mouse, is no longer with us. He passed away in 2021 and broke my heart. Tara is an eight-year-old dog now who hangs out with two other cats who call our house home; littermates Calvin and Cayenne. I shut my website down late last year, and guess what I tripped over just yesterday? Yes. My blog.

Hello! I'm back again!

There are some other things that have changed between my last post and this one. I began editing again when a writing acquaintance told me about Booktrope, an independent publisher. I met many really great writers and got the opportunity to edit and proofread for them. When Booktrope folded, I decided to start my own business: Wing Family Editing. A great number of those writers I worked with at Booktrope decided to stay with me, and I was kept happily busy for six years. Unfortunately, in that time period, I also went through three surgeries on my wrist—one was exploratory, one was to remove a hemi-head prosthesis and to place a bigger DRUJ prosthetic, and the third was to clean many tendons in my hand and to remove a tendon in my little finger. After that, I had two more surgeries, both having to do with a spinal cord stimulator that was placed in order to help me with the chronic pain I developed because of my wrist. I gave up editing. I became overwhelmed and found it difficult to stick to deadlines. I never knew how much I was going to be able to work because of my pain, and that didn't make me a very reliable editor. 

I met a really cool hand therapist before all those surgeries were done. She and I came together and brainstormed some creative ways to help me build up some strength in my hand and fingers. I told her I used to draw when I was younger. She told me I should take up the hobby again and use that as physical therapy. Come to find out, it helped me a lot mentally, too. I don't do it very often. It's hard for me to grip a pencil, but I love it. Over the last several years, I have built a sizeable collection of sketches—many of them portraits of the characters in my novels. I also enjoy watercolor painting, which is a little easier on my hand and fingers.

From the time I was a little kid up until I began having kids myself, I was a voracious reader. I read all the time. I read everywhere. When I became a published author, I came to realize just how important reviews are. I picked up reading again once my kids were older and wrote reviews. I posted them on Amazon and on Goodreads. During all those surgeries, I began to have a hard time concentrating and couldn't read. It's hard to focus when you're taking huge amounts of pain killers, and I still hurt so much. I stepped away from my keyboard altogether for a while. A thick blanket had been thrown over me, suffocating all my creative ability. There was just nothing there.

Today, I suffer from chronic pain. Two and a half years ago, I found a doctor and surgeon who specializes in helping those with pain and was diagnosed with CRPS. The internet describes it this way: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a chronic neurological condition characterized by severe pain, sensitivity disorders, and trophic changes in the affected area. It often develops after an injury, surgery, stroke, or heart attack, and can lead to significant emotional distress, including feelings of helplessness and sadness. The progression of CRPS can vary widely, ranging from complete recovery to severe chronic pain and disability. Treatment options may include pain management strategies, physical therapy, and psychological support. I've since gotten a second opinion, and that doctor agreed with the diagnosis I received. I've been prescribed daily pain medications, including something to help with the extensive nerve damage I've sustained. I'm a light touch typist, which is a good thing for me. Except for the year I didn't touch my keyboard, I have been able to continue writing and self-publishing my novels. It takes longer now for me to put a manuscript together. I have to take a lot of breaks, and there are days when my fingers will not cooperate. I have a different process, but I'm writing.

It's been a busy eight years.

So, what does any of this have to do with my blog? Well, I'm writing books. I'm also reading again. According to Goodreads, I've read fifty-one books since the first of January, and I've written and posted reviews for every single one of them. I post those reviews on Amazon, Goodreads and Book Bub, and I post them on Facebook and Instagram as well. I thought I'd share my favorites here on the blog, too. I have become a reader for NetGalley and for Book Sirens. I have authors I have loved reading for years. I've read everything Sarah Addison Allen has written. James Lee Burke. Frieda McFadden. Lisa Jewell. There are so many authors. The thing I've found so enjoyable about being a reader for these sites is reading authors I've never heard of. I've gotten to read books I wouldn't have found otherwise. And I've read some incredible books this year. The more I can advertise these books and their authors, the better. 

Another reason is because the more I write, the better I get. Writing novels isn't the only writing that means something, and writing is therapy for me. Sometimes I need to write through a problem to get to the solution. Sometimes I just need to understand something better by putting it into words or making a story into some disorganized thoughts or feelings. I used to love posting on this blog. Now, I find that I am looking forward to doing so again. If other people find what I'm writing interesting, I think that is a very cool thing.

So, if you were around in 2012 when I started this blog, or if you've ever read anything I posted here in those eight years, welcome back! If this is the first time you've visited my tiny little corner of the internet, I offer you a hearty, happy hello! Thanks for stopping by! If I make you think about something you hadn't considered before, or if I make you smile—or even better, laugh—or if I can introduce you to an author you've never heard of that strikes your interest, that will make me happy. I don't really have any answers for the world's problems. I don't have a bunch of fancy degrees. I don't talk about politics. I'm afraid of AI and have a serious iced chai and gummy bear addiction. I can't fix anything, and I'm undeniably goofy, but if you're interested in writing or books, art or family, maybe you'll find something to entertain you here. Regardless, I think I'll be spending a bit of time in this old, comfortable place again. It's good to be back.