A funny thing happened to me on the way to the next book
I woke up one morning and couldn’t breathe. An exciting trip in an ambulance to the nearest large hospital resulted in my being told I had embolisms in both lungs, life threatening, probably caused by an underlying cancer.
Now in spite of being a woman of a certain age, I am mega healthy, vegetarian, non smoker, exercise regularly. So it was a surprise to be told I did have cervical cancer. It goes to show that broccoli and tofu aren’t bullet proof.
It’s the most curious situation, being face to face with your own mortality. I know the general consensus is this isn’t something an upbeat writer of romances should ever reveal—health issues aren’t riveting reading, and my faithful fans could easily debunk to a younger, healthier venue. But I have faith in you–I know you’re with me for the duration. I also know that we’re all connected, and that every one of you have situations that are challenging. Why else do we read–and write–stories that make us laugh and cry? There’s that thread of universal recognition in the best books, a connection on a deep level that not only stirs our emotions, but also touches our soul.
And here’s the thing. I have no intention of fighting anything. I’ve always been convinced that the body is a self healing entity, and that whatever is right for me is happening now. I’m strangely unattached to outcome. There’s just this fascinating sensation of watching what’s happening, and curiosity about what will come next.
For sure another book–it’s already in the works. But in the meantime, I wanted you to know what’s slowing me down. Isn’t one’s life the most interesting story?
It’s why I love hearing about yours. It’s why I wanted to share mine with you.
Thanks for being here.
You are one brave lady, Bobby. Tomorrow- I’ll be 73, started writing twenty years ago but didn’t get published until many years later as I was a stay at home mom, only a hobby writer. Then I did get published and was about to market my second novel when my son was killed in an accident. Tho I was physically healthy, I guess I developed an emotional cancer of the mind, isolated myself and abandoned life for grief- for seven years. Last year, I published 6 more books thru Kindle. But gee!..You’re my new hero. Every day during the last year, I’ve been thinking I waited too long to get on with my writing and now, it’s just a lot of work for nothing. You’re sooo right, as long as there’s a story inside you, it must come out. You’re an amazing writer, truly an inspiration. I feel so ashamed of the time I’ve wasted but will endeavor to get up each day and use what God gave me. Thanks for sharing. It gives me strength and new purpose. You’ll stay in my prayers. Ruby
Are you okay, Bobby?