Reflections, Looking Ahead to 2024 and Appreciating Those Around Us
Wishing you all a wonderful festive season
Hello everyone and I hope you are surviving the madness of this time of the year. I went to the supermarket on Thursday evening to pick up a few goodies for the holidays and it was bedlam. People were piling their trolleys sky high, children were having melt downs and most of the shoppers looked stressed and tired. It made me wonder why we put so much pressure on ourselves at this time of the year? After all, it is supposed to be a time of celebration when we should be relaxing and enjoying time with our families, friends and loved ones.
My daughter and I had a conversation recently about how we both had sensory overload when out shopping in the run up to Christmas. It has become so commercial with retailers wanting us to spend more and more money on items that we either don’t need or don’t want. Secret Santa has become a big thing in our family over recent years, where one gift is purchased for the adults, and the focus is on the children, which is what this magical time of the year is all about.
Reflections
2023 has been a good year for me, with no health issues and the main highlight being Roma Reads Publishing accepting my manuscript for a cosy crime novel for publication. The process has been interesting and hard work and I can finally see light at the end of the tunnel with the structural edits. Trying to drop hints and clues along the way without giving the ending away has been the hardest part, while still trying to weave the lives of the characters into the story and bringing them to life on the page, has been the most enjoyable part. I always thought that writing a novel sounded romantic and fun but believe me, it is very hard work! I am sure it will all be worth it in May 2024 when it is released and I will, of course, keep you updated. I cannot wait to see my novel on the shelves of bookstores across the country and available online.
Looking ahead to 2024
I hope to build my following on Rosy’s Ramblings here on Substack, so please spread the word if you enjoy my posts. I am always happy to hear from you so either leave a comment or feel free e-mail me directly at rosygee345@gmail.com and I will be more than happy to answer any questions you have about writing a novel, the publication process or anything else you think I might be able to help with.
As well as continuing to work nearly full-time as a Legal Secretary, putting the finishing touches to my cosy crime novel, The Mysterious Disappearance of Marsha Boden and completing my second novel (already half written), I will endeavour to use my time wisely and to appreciate my health and all the good things that life has to offer.
In the meantime, I am allowing myself a short break of two or three days away from my manuscript when I will immerse myself completely in my family and enjoy every moment of my time with them, adults and children alike.
I would like to take this opportunity of thanking each and every one of you for your kindness and support over this past year, your words of encouragement and praise which have meant the world to me and I could not have got where I am today without you.
If you celebrate Christmas, I hope you have a wonderful festive season and if you don’t celebrate it, then I wish you a relaxing and peaceful holiday and all the very best for 2024. Let’s hope that it is a good year for us all.
With very best wishes,
Rosy x
I hope you survived the madness, I have similar thoughts about the whole season, but we did survive and had a joyful experience, all said and done. I hope your 2024 is shaping up to be marvelous, and congrats on the upcoming book, what an amazing accomplishment!
Wishing you a happy and peaceful Christmas, Rosy. I don't know how you do all that you do, but well done! 😊🌲