Season's Greetings to all of you, and all best wishes for the remains of 2020. What a terrible year it's been in many ways.
I've had some highs, and many lows. Am I glad to see the back of the year? Yes and no, but mostly yes. I've published three books and written another. I'm 3/4 through a fifth, so writing-wise, it's been a decent year. I'm hugely proud of The Trilogy and am looking forward to publishing the next book in that series.
But all of my book-events got cancelled because of covid-19 restrictions and sales have been awful. I'm not alone in that, but that doesn't make it hurt any less.
I've had longed-for holidays cancelled. I've not managed to see friends. On the plus side, I haven't lost anyone, either to covid-19 or to anything else. Since keeping our distances saves lives, we have all been happy to do that.
I haven't been able to hug my Dad since March. I currently can't even see him, except via Facebook messenger, which he struggles with. I won't see him for real on his birthday, nor on Christmas Day. In fact, on Christmas Day, not even my mother will be able to see him, unless his care-home changes their policy. For the first time in >55 years, they will be apart on Christmas Day. There's always the fear that this will be his last birthday and Christmas, which is heart-breaking enough, without adding in him not seeing his family. Visits are currently restricted to my mother being allowed to see him for 30 minutes a week. It's not enough, but we understand why it has to be that way.
To be frank, I'm beginning to struggle with all of this, so I'm going to keep my head down and try to focus on finishing off this draft of book #10. My solution when Real Life is hard has always been to disappear into an imaginary place. I generally just want to stay there and not come out.
So, I will see you in 2021, and hope that life will become easier next year. That I will be able to visit my father, see friends, sell books... live a little. Until then, I shall immerse myself in writing and knitting.
Stay safe, everyone. Hang in there. I think I see light at the end of the tunnel.
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