From Fog to Fiction

For anyone who knows me, you probably never heard me talk about dreaming of writing a book one day. You maybe knew I wanted to grow up to be Mary Lou Retton or eventually a full-time traveling Parrot Head. It never even crossed my mind to become an author. But life is funny that way.

It wasn’t too long ago that my world felt shrouded in a heavy fog for months on end. Health challenges had stolen my energy, leaving me struggling to even think straight, let alone dream. But I yearned for purpose, for a sense of accomplishment. So, I did something I never thought I’d do: I started to write—literally, on a whim. I just woke up one day and told my husband, “Hey, I think I’m gonna write a book.”

I don’t recall his exact response. I’m sure it was no different than when I said things like, “My sister and I want to open a bakery and call it Muffin Tops and Jelly Rolls.”  Or when I bought a set of learn French in your car CDs.  I should probably add that I still only bake in my little kitchen to satisfy my cravings.  And, I learned  Je, tu, il, elle, nous, vous….. and then disc one flew out the window, and two through five are collecting dust in the closet.

But this time….this time, I meant it. The next day, a shipment arrived full of index cards, pens, and highlighters. A week later, I bought a new laptop.

On even the most unbearable days, I challenged myself to put words down, even if it was only a sentence.  On the nights when I couldn’t sleep, I could still rest and push myself to focus on developing the plot, over and over in my head.  I persisted, bit by bit,  and let my imagination roll with it until the tale grew beyond what I ever thought possible. 

The entire concept was way out of my norm. But then again, I am not one to do normal all that well either. The characters, their stories, their struggles – they became my companions on this journey. They reminded me of the power of imagination, of the potential to find joy even in the darkest of places.

This book, my debut novel soon to be released, is more than just a story. It’s a testament to the healing power of creativity, a reminder that even when the world feels shrouded in uncertainty, we can still create our own light. I wrote it to remind myself that I could set a goal and work toward its achievement. It became a very personal part of my journey. But now, thanks to the encouragement of my loved ones, it’s yours to read.

I hope this story inspires you, just as the characters inspired me. And perhaps, if you’re facing your own challenges, you might find a little bit of yourself in their strength.

Here’s to the power of stories and the courage to keep writing, one day at a time.