I'm thrilled to have one of my Girlfriends Book Club pals, Malena Lott, visiting here today and guest blogging for us! Malena is an award-winning writer and the author of three novels. Her latest release, FIXER UPPER, is available in the Kindle store and other digital formats. She writes on how to "verbinize" your life all year long at www.malenalott.com and lives in Oklahoma with her husband, three kids, and dog. Welcome, Malena! We're delighted to have you here today ;).
Are You In Between? by Malena Lott
Life can be a bitch for a while if you're in between. I'm not talking anything as drastic as a sex change operation (though that would qualify), but about becoming who you want to be. Sometimes we fight it for a long while. Sometimes the Universe throws us for a loop - an unexpected divorce or death in the family or unplanned pregnancy. Other times our awakening is a quiet whisper.
In my third novel, FIXER UPPER, Macy Baxter has the third type - a niggling feeling that her husband no longer loves her though he's the king of catches: handsome, well-bred, charming, a rising star in his political party. Macy married young, had two girls, and became a stay-at-home mom in a wealthy suburb, happily playing the politician's wife - wearing what she was supposed to wear, saying what she was supposed to say, attending all the right functions with all the right people. Although it sounds logical that "playing" someone will eventually catch up with us, it can be hard to identify it in ourselves. We are so caught up with our "busy-ness" that we often don't connect the dots to why we are depressed or smile less or feel fulfilled.
As an author, I do allow myself "me time" because how else could I write this post? How else could I sit down and write an entire book? It doesn't happen all at once, but with a hell-or-high-water attitude, we can get our goal accomplished. I'll admit that the in-between stage is the toughest. If you are in between projects or on submission or waiting for any sort of big news is your life, it can make you feel restless and agitated. But when we realize that we are ALWAYS in between something and that it's not the goal line we're after but enjoying the ride (even if it's a bumpy one), it can really help with nerves.
Thanks so much, Malena! I think it's easy, especially with the demands of life, work and family, to get caught up on all the details that we forget to take time for ourselves. Time to take stock and figure out what we really want and need. Thanks for the reminder... And, everyone, if you have a chance, take a peek at Malena's contest page before 1/31/11 to find out how to win her January prize package. Lots of good stuff there!!
10 comments:
I love your cover! I want to live in that fixer upper, too. But without the pig, though it's cute.
When I'm in between, it's my catching up time. But not on catching up with life, I'm catching up with things I've been putting off, like cleaning. Soon it will be taxes. So it's not my favorite time. I much prefer to be doing.
Like you, I take time out to enjoy my life even if I'm busy. If I don't, I start to feel stressed.
Edie, I agree with you on taxes...ugh. I'm not looking forward to having to take a break from writing to work on them either ;).
Malena, thanks so much for being here today, and congrats again on your new release!! Looking forward to reading it!
Malena, thanks for this post. It comes at a most opportune time for me. And Marilyn, I got your book this weekend...thank you so much for the wonderful words of encouragement! I will treasure it always!
Jill, it's so nice of you to stop by!! Thank you ;). And I'm so glad the book reached you. Best of luck with *everything*!!
Congratulations on your newest release, Malena! I really like what you've said ~ your post hit home for me too. It's a great reminder to find at least a little spot of joy every day, whether we're in between, crossing the finish line, or still swimming upstream.
Thanks for the introduction, Marilyn! You are lucky to have so many wonderful and insightful women in your circle of friends.
Thank you, ladies, and thanks, Marilyn for letting me come by. I could really use a nice walk in nature to clear my head. We are moving in a month, looking for a new house and, boy, the stress just come to a boiling point if you aren't careful!
Hugs to all.
Such a good topic to cover! It's such a common issue - not taking time for yourself. You can really lose yourself that way.
Robin, thank you...and, yes, I *do* have many wonderful and insightful women in my circle of friends -- present company most definitely included!! xo
Malena, best of luck preparing for the move -- I know what a big undertaking that is! I'll be thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way ;).
Caryn, we all go through stages like that, though, don't we? Where it's hard to find time for ourselves. Especially (!!) as new parents...
Hi, Malena! I love the cover! And I'm having a blast reading Fixer Upper on my new KINDLE!!!! I'm definitely NOT in between right now. I'm on deadline for two books and trying to get in "me" time is difficult these days. BUT I do when I am in between!
Just wanted to say hi, Tonya! Glad you're putting your Kindle to good use, too ;). Wishing you a great day!!
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