Why Art Matters

My favourite writing spot. On the whole of Earth.

 

It's been more than a year since last I've blogged. In that time, my third book has sold well, I've visited schools across Ontario and Manitoba, celebrated the first I Read Canadian Day, and I'm now writing through a world-wide pandemic. Like so many, my life has been upended. Any publishing interest is currently on pause, waiting for the economic fallout as a result of closed schools, shuttered economies, and sick fellow human beings. 

Like many writers, I'm often overcome with the thoughts of, "What am I doing here? Why does it matter? There is so much at stake far greater than the words I write or don't write. People are dying. People are losing everything. Does my work, really matter?" 

Those are some pretty big thoughts. And I have worked them round and round in my head and heart. I've finally settled on the fact that art in all its form unites, supports, inspires, and encourages. It reminds us that we are connected to others, that living is a shared experience. That life must and will go on, although changed either temporarily or perhaps permanently. So, I will go on and write. I'll take this time to build my portfolio of stories. Fine tune and edit completed manuscripts. Work with my fellow critique partners and assist with their novels. Immerse myself in words and stories and continue to improve my craft. In doing so, I hope in some small way to help soothe the anxious worries of the children and teens who read my novels. Letting them know, that they are not alone in their struggles, even now when everything seems strange and often scary.

I wish you all good health, peace of mind, and hope for better days to come.

The simple joy of a sunrise.

Top 3 Book Launch Emotions

Lucky number 7.

 

That’s how many days left, until Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food and Other Life Lessons, launches into the digital world.

 

For the past two weeks, I’ve slept very little. It feels like I’m counting down to the most incredible Christmas morning of my life.

 

I’m a natural born insomniac, so all this launch fervour has kept me awake for much of the night, every night. On the plus side of being awake at 2:00 a.m., I’ve had loads of extra time to surf the net, get lost on Pinterest, and narrow down all my heightened feelings into a top 3 list. Oh, how I love a good list. (And chocolate. Just sayin.')  

 

My Top 3 Book Launch Emotions:

 1. Excitement – that my first book is being published. I’ve actually given myself migraines after speaking with my publisher. On numerous occasions. True story.

 2. Trepidation – what if I sell so few copies, my publishes wails to the heavens and refuses to return my emails? (Even when they are loaded with super-smiley-faced emoticons.) I quell this fear with kilograms and kilograms (pounds and pounds) of M&M’s and Caramel Kisses.

3. Hope – I am riding a Tidal Wave of Hope.

Hope that Connor’s story will reach our desired audience – Asperger Syndrome kids and their families; teachers; as well as children who aren’t on the spectrum, but have a classmate or friend that is.

 

I hope, with all my heart, that Connor's story impacts lives.

 

I hope it brings understanding. I hope it brings compassion and acceptance. I hope that hope grows within the Asperger and Autism community that inclusion is possible. I hope that this hope spreads to other communities as well and we foster inclusion for all.

My hopes are bigger than me.

They’re bigger than big and grander than grand.

They’re audacious.

And that’s the best thing about hope.

Hope has no limit. Hope has no maximum weight.

Hope springs eternal.

 

 

And hope, nurtured and encouraged, spreads like wildflowers across the prairies.