New Year, New Direction

Friends, I've done a lot of soul-searching over the past year. As somebody who tends more toward the "free-spirit" camp, I've always been rather fluid in every aspect of my life. I'm learning that as a single parent in a world that thrives on multi-tasking and double-booking your time, it's not so easy to drift along where the wind takes you. Though it pains me to do so, I'm calling on skills I buried long ago. I'm dusting off my organizational skills - long reserved for things like research papers and real-world jobs - to apply them to my current endeavors.

What would possibly so incredible as to cause ME to fundamentally alter my world view?

Quite simply? My kiddos. I want to be present in their lives. I want to be here to help them through and be that involved parent and cheerleader. No, not a helicopter parent - yuck. I do want to be present. I want to make them meals AND teach them how to cook. I want to be a part of their educations because they both need me to be involved for very different reasons. I want them to be active in their communities and at their ages (10 and 11) that means being available to transport them outside normal school hours.

So, I'm embarking on a new, lofty endeavor that has required a major shift in mindset and time use. I'm going to devote my time to blogging, social media, and freelance writing. I've been freelance writing and offering my services as a social media consult for the past six months or so but I'm looking to expand and build on that foundation. To that end, this here blog that you all so kindly follow, will continue to focus on the finer points of one of my passions - books.

I'm looking to appeal to readers, to discuss a variety of books that I read (or fail to read) and create and open dialogue about what we as readers seek out in books. What draws you in? What keeps you coming back for more? Most importantly, what book should I be reading next??

But that's not all, I'm not JUST a reader. I write. I write A LOT. And I love to help other authors who are just getting started or those who are stalled out and looking for a jump start. Maybe you come along and let me interview you. Maybe you have some questions about where to go next. Or, maybe you have some incredible advice for other authors. Whatever you, as an author, have to offer, I want to hear it!

Sound like something you're into? Let me know - booksbyviolet@gmail.com. I'm booking for early 2017!