As I’ve been gearing up to release Lizzie’s Surprise, I’ve also been doing some decluttering. The jumbled cabinets, stacks of who-knows-what, and nonexistent closet floor were making me crazy. For me, clutter is like sludge for my creativity. When I allow stuff to crowd my space, I become mentally foggy and unproductive.
     It used to be difficult for me to let go of things that I no longer loved or used. I would hold onto ragged clothes for the memories they held or onto gifts to honor the giver. It took me a long time to realize that the memories weren’t imbued into the clothes they were in my mind. As for the gifts, being grateful to the giver doesn’t require holding onto the item for life.
     When I let go, I create room in my life for something new. And it doesn’t always have to be an even swap, like letting go of a handbag and buying a new one. Sometimes, the new thing can be less tangible. A new friendship. A new experience. A new idea.
      And it’s not just things that we need to declutter. My mind was a mess in my long-term job – stressed out, miserable, angry. The day I walked out the door (without a new job lined up), I felt as if a boulder had been removed from my shoulders.
     Letting go of stuff may not be quite so dramatic, but I do get a little thrill when I open up my neat and tidy closet or when I can find what I need in my cabinet. Full disclosure, the stuff hasn’t quite made it out the door yet, but that’s because I’m not quite done. When I am, I will load up my car and head to my hospital’s thrift shop and a few other charity bins to donate them. Once they’re gone, I know I won’t miss them and, if I do, the item will find it’s way back to me in some form.
     And in the process of letting go, I’ve received a few unexpected gifts. First, I found a stack of old journals that held bits and pieces of my stories, plus notes and scenes from a few that were abandoned. Those notebooks are precious, and I’ll read through them to see if there are any nuggets worth resurrecting. Then, last night, after cleaning out my closet (in record time), I flopped down on the couch with a cup of herbal tea and had received an immediate light bulb moment – the title of my current work-in-progress and the title of my next planned book.
     All because clearing the clutter in my space also cleared the clutter in my head.
     I’ve got a few more areas to work on, including my bookshelves. (Those are always the most difficult for me!) I’m hoping for a few more unexpected gifts and a lot more mental clarity and creativity.
    Letting go doesn’t have to be painful or difficult. Appreciate the items for what they’ve provided and send them off to find new homes. Make room in your life for something new (and better)!
     And let it go!     
     (Admit it, you belted that last line, didn't you?)

     Adulthood isn’t what I expected. There are so many rules, so many societal norms to obey that it can be overwhelming. It strips away the carefree joys of childhood and adolescence for responsibility. We become slaves to jobs that we hate or succumb to the desire to climb the workplace ladder. We spend our days looking forward to five o’clock, looking forward to the weekend, looking forward to vacation.
     At least I did. I spent many years at a job that I hated, but I was too afraid of breaking the rules to leave. It’s tough to leave comfort and security, however joyless, for something outside of the norm. It’s tough to grant yourself permission to live the life you want and not the life that the world considers normal. 
     The problem is, a lot of ‘normal’ adults have lost touch with want they want, so they settle. I certainly did. I stayed at a job that I detested, with a company that made me feel disrespected, for twenty years. I wrote when I wasn’t too tired, or too stressed, but, honestly? I was almost always too tired and stressed. I felt as if my soul was being sucked from my body.
    In other words, for me, normal sucked. It’s challenging to be creative when you have no energy at the end of the day. It’s almost impossible to be creative when you’ve forgotten how to play. 
     Do you remember? 
     Hanging from the monkey bars, unafraid of the hard dirt below?
     Swinging super high on the swings and choosing the perfect moment to jump off?
     Digging in the dirt for worms? 
     Collecting caterpillars and laughing as they crawled your arm?
     The excitement of Christmas morning? Or Easter? Or Halloween?
     Losing yourself in your favorite story for hours? 
     Riding your bike with no hands (and in my generation, no helmet)?
     Ice skating on the frozen pond?
     Do you remember playing pretend?
     Or coloring books?
     Or watching a parade?
     Find a way to remember. Buy an adult coloring book (but don’t worry about making it perfect). Do something that feels a little rebellious. Try something new. Rediscover something old. 
     Let your inner child out to play. And do it often. 
     Adulthood is tough. We all need a little playtime.
     You never know what you might discover when you remember how to play.

This interview was conducted before the events in Lizzie’s Surprise. Colin was asked the same questions as Lizzie. He's a busy man, so he's not particularly chatty!

Lily:  Good afternoon, Mr. Blake. Thank you for agreeing to speak with me today.

Colin:  My pleasure. I’ve a full schedule this afternoon so if we could get to it …

Lily:  Of course. Your assistant warned me that you’re busy, so I’ll get started. Who was the last person you held hands with?

Colin:  Pardon? What sort of interview question is that? I assumed we’d be discussing the Blake Foundations recent efforts in sub-Saharan Africa.

Lily:  I’m sure I told your assistant this would be a less traditional interview, so … Who was the last person you held hands with?

Colin (after expelling a heavy sigh):  Likely my daughter, Victoria, but not since she was nine or ten. Pity that. 

Lily:  They grow up too fast, don’t they? Are you loud, outgoing, or shy?

Colin:  I prefer reserved. 

Lily:  Noted. But not loud or outgoing?

Colin:  I’m the CEO of a multinational corporation, so I must at least appear sociable, even if I’m not. And coming from quite a large family, it was sometimes necessary to be loud. 

Lily:  Alright. Who are you looking forward to seeing?

Colin:  No one in particular.

Lily:  Okay. Hmm … not even your daughter?

Colin:  Well yes, of course, I always look forward to seeing her, but as she’s away at school, that won’t be for several weeks.

Lily:  Oh, that's a shame. I’m sure you miss her. Are you easy to get along with?

Colin:  Not always, no.

Lily:  Have you ever given up on someone, but then gone back to her?

Colin:  Never.

Lily:  And, I’m guessing you’re not going to elaborate on that one. If you were drunk would the person you like take care of you?

Colin:  There is no person.

Lily:  So that’s a no. You, know Mr. Blake …

Colin:  Just Colin.

Lily:  Okay, Colin. You can feel free to elaborate, you know. Do you think you’ll be in a relationship two months from now?

Colin:  No.

Lily:  Who from the opposite gender is on your mind?

Colin:  Do you always ask such personal questions? 

Lily:  Yes.

Colin:  Very well. I am the lone male in a family of women, so it’s likely one of them. But nothing romantic.

Lily:  Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable?

Colin:  Bloody hell! Next question.

Lily:  So that’s a yes, then.  Who was the last person you had a deep conversation with?

Colin:  My sister, Nora.

Lily (mutter under her breath):  What does your most recent text say?

Colin (pulls out his phone, reads the screen, and rolls his eyes):  My stunning date has a friend in town and doesn't want to abandon her. Join us for cocktails? That would be from Court. And no, I’m not going, but I did send backup.

Lily:  I’m sure Court appreciates that. Next question, name the most famous person you’ve had a face-to-face encounter with.

Colin (colors slightly):  Her Majesty, the Queen.

Lily:  Wow. Yeah, you can’t get much more famous than the Queen! Do you like big crowds of people?

Colin:  I prefer smaller gatherings, but my job does require a certain amount of socializing.

Lily:  Do you believe in luck and miracles? 

Colin:  I’ve always believed we create our luck.

Lily:  What good thing happened to you last summer?

Colin:  A proper holiday with my daughter.

Lily:  Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?

Colin:  Not a chance.

Lily:  Do you think there is life on other planets?

Colin:  It’s likely.

Lily:  Do you still talk to your first crush?

Colin:  No. (Notices Lily’s glare.) I don’t even recall her name, but she was French.

Lily:  Do you like bubble baths?

Colin (shakes his head and laughs):  I reckon I haven’t had once since I was a very small lad, so I don’t recall.

Lily:  Fair enough. Do you like your neighbors?

Colin:  My neighbor is my best mate, Court, so yes.

Lily:  What are your bad habits?

Colin (drums his fingers on the desk):  fine Scotch, Cuban cigars, and … my Mum tells me I’m a bit impatient.

Lily:  Well if Mum says it, it must be true! Where would you like to travel?

Colin:  As I constantly travel for work, it’s not something I often choose to do for pleasure. 

Lily:  Okay, that makes sense. Do you have trust issues?

Colin:  Yes. 

Lily:  Care to elaborate?

Colin:  Not particularly. 

Lily (shrugs):  I’ll find out eventually. Favorite part of your daily routine?

Colin:  A fine cigar and a glass of Scotch at the end of the day.

Lily:  What body part are you most uncomfortable with?

Colin:  Can’t say that I’m uncomfortable with anything.

Lily:  What do you do when you wake up?

Colin:  First thing? Check email to determine if there is anything that requires my attention.

Lily:  Is there anything you’d like to change about your appearance?

Colin:  Curly hair can be a bit … unruly.

Lily:  It’s sexy. An interesting contrast to the tailored suits. Who are you most comfortable around?

Colin:  Court and Lance.

Lily:  Have any of your exes told you they regret breaking up?

Colin:  No.

Lily:  Do you ever want to get married?

Colin:  I’ve already been married. 

Lily:  But do you want to get married again?

Colin:  It’s unlikely. 

Lily:  That’s not an answer. 

Colin:  Possibly. Is that more acceptable?

Lily:  It’ll have to do. Here’s a fun one! Is your hair long enough for a ponytail?

Colin (shakes his head):  You can see that it’s a bit long as I’ve just returned from an extended business trip.

Lily:   Which celebrities would you like to make love with?

Colin (snorts):  You’ll have to forgive me, but I’m not well-versed in pop culture, and I can’t recall the last time I went to the cinema. 

Lily:  Oh, come on! There has to be someone.

Colin (thinks for a minute):  I met Kate Winslet at a charity event. She’s quite lovely.

Lily:  So you like a girl with some curves. Hmm. Interesting. Would you rather win a million dollars in the lottery or never have to pay for anything again?

Colin:  I don’t need either, but if I have to choose …

Lily:  You do.

Colin:  I’d win the million dollars and donate the lot to charity.

Lily:  Of course you would. Your reputation as a philanthropist is legendary. Do you play sports?

Colin:  No time, but I did play cricket, rugby, and football in school.

Lily:  Would you rather live without TV or music?

Colin:  Television. 

Lily:  Have you ever liked someone and never told them?

Colin:  I imagine everyone has.

Lily:  What do you say during awkward silences?

Colin:  I don’t say anything as I don’t find silence particularly uncomfortable.

Lily:  Do you think age matters in relationships?

Colin:  Not particularly. I know couples with significant age differences who are ideally suited and others who are the same age who aren’t. It’s more a matter of connection, isn’t it?

Lily:  I agree. What are your favorite stores to shop in?

Colin:  There’s a cigar shop in London just down the block from my office that I frequent regularly.

Lily:  What did you want to do after you left school?

Colin:  Precisely what I’m doing, growing Blake Enterprises and staying committed to the Foundation.

Lily:  You’re a lucky man, then. Do you think everyone deserves a second chance?

Colin:  Yes, I like to believe that everyone is capable of change.

Lily:  Something tells me you’re thinking of someone specific, but I won’t press. If you're extremely quiet what does it mean?

Colin:  I’m likely formulating a plan.

Lily:  Do you smile at strangers?

Colin:  No. Do you reckon I should?

Lily:  With those dimples? Hell, yeah! Trip to outer space or the bottom of the ocean.

Colin:  Can’t I do both?

Lily:   Since you can afford it, why not? Do you want a roommate?

Colin:  No.

Lily:  What are you paranoid about?

Colin:  Nothing. 

Lily:  Yes, you’re too self-assured for paranoia. What was the meanest thing that someone ever said to you?

Colin:  That I looked like a girl.

Lily:  And the nicest?

Colin:  When my daughter tells me she loves me.

Lily:  Have you done something recently you hope no one finds out about?

Colin (frowns):  Have you heard something?

Lily:  Nope. So maybe you’re a little paranoid about people learning your secrets?

Colin:  Perhaps. I negotiate sensitive deals every day, and there are often details that we don’t want to be disclosed.

Lily:  Ah. You’re all about business, aren’t you? Last question, what language do you want to learn?

Colin:  I should probably learn Mandarin and Japanese, and I’m currently studying Turkish …

Lily:  Turkish? That’s random! But the question wasn’t should; it was want …

Colin:  Right. Turkish is an immediate business need. And if I could choose to learn a language? Italian.

Lily:  So do it.

Colin:  Perhaps someday. You will provide a transcript of this interview to my assistant before publication, correct? Court will want to review it.

Lily:  As agreed. Thanks for your time and Colin?

Colin:  Yes?

Lily:  Maybe this is an opportunity for you to make time to have a life outside the office.

Colin:  Perhaps. It’s unlikely to happen, but it’s a lovely idea. Cheers.

This interview was conducted before the events in Lizzie’s Surprise. Most of the questions are from a list of icebreakers. 

Lily:  Good morning, Lizzie. Thanks for taking the time to chat with me on a Saturday morning.

Lizzie:  You’re welcome. But did it have to be so early? 

Lily:  Sorry about that. I’m heading off to do some research in a bit, and I’ll be gone most of the day. I wanted to get to know you a little better before we get to your story. Shall we get to it?

Lizzie: I have a full cup of coffee, so I’m ready to roll. 

Lily:  Caffeine is always a plus! First question, who was the last person you held hands with?

Lizzie (rolls eyes):  Sad to say it was probably one of my nieces. I’m going to go with Rachel, who’s five. Not that I’m sad I held hands with her, but it’s been way too long since I’ve held hands with a guy that I was into, you know?’

Lily:  Trust me, Lizzie, I can relate. Are you loud, outgoing, or shy?

Lizzie:  Ha! Depends on who I’m with and if there are cocktails involved. I’m shy around people that I don’t know, but I think that comes from being an introvert. When I’m with friends and family, I’m pretty open and outgoing. When I’ve had a few drinks, I’ve been known to become the loudest person in the room. 

Lily:  Makes sense. Next question, who are you looking forward to seeing?

Lizzie:  Oh, that’s an easy one. Girls night in tonight with my best friends, Meg and Jess, Thai food and Australian wine. 

Lily:  Sounds like fun! Would you say you’re easy to get along with?

Lizzie:  Most of the time, I guess. But I have my limits, especially at work. 

Lily:  Have you ever given up on someone, but then gone back to him?

Lizzie:  I wish I could say no, but unfortunately … yeah. Who hasn’t? He could be incredibly charming when he wanted to, so he made me forget what a colossal ass he was. I did learn my lesson, though, so the next time he came around I told him to get lost. 

Lily:  If you were drunk, would the person you like take care of you?

Lizzie:  Well, I’m not ‘in like’ with anybody at the moment so …

Lily:  But if you were?

Lizzie:  Then he’d better take care of me, just like I’d take care of him. Isn’t that the idea?

Lily:  Yes, in a perfect world. So, if you’re not dating anyone at the moment, who from the opposite gender is on your mind?

Lizzie:  I’m slightly obsessed with Griffin Brookes, the actor. He’s about as perfect as they come, not that I ever expect to meet a guy like that!

Lily:  But a girl can dream? Do you think you’ll be in a relationship two months from now?

Lizzie:  To quote the Magic Eight Ball, “outlook not so good”. I’m dating challenged, and I’m a homebody, so meeting guys has never been easy for me. But, hey, never say never, right? 

Lily:  Exactly. This one’s pretty personal, so you don’t have to answer. Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable?

Lizzie:  Depends on who I’m talking to, I guess. It’s not something I’m likely to bring up, and I’m a relatively private person. But if there’s something that I need to talk about, I can go to Meg and Jess, for sure. 

Lily:  Who was the last person you had a deep conversation with?

Lizzie:  Hmm. That’s a tough one! Let me think … okay, I ran into my old friend Matt the other night after choir practice, and we got very philosophical. God, the Universe, good versus evil, just light conversation that ended with the question ‘can light exist without darkness’. Is that deep enough?

Lily:  You’ll have to let me know when you find the answer to that one! Okay, this one is easier! What does your most recent text say?

Lizzie (after whipping out her phone):  Honey bourbon? Yes? No? That’s from Meg; she has a friend who runs a distillery. If you were wondering, the answer was yes, and we’ll be sampling some of that later. 

Lily:  I’m hesitant to ask this one, but it’s on the list …

Lizzie:  It’s quite a list! 

Lily:  It’s from a list of icebreakers and, you know what, I don’t need to know the answer to that one, so I’m substituting one of my own. Name the most famous person you’ve had a face to face encounter with.

Lizzie:  Oh, that’s too easy! Simon Prince, the crime novelist, is my second cousin, and I’ve known Tessa Jameson since she was tiny. I have made reservations for a few famous people, but I can’t say who. 

Lily:  I’ve heard of Tessa but I’m not familiar with her work, but Simon? Every single book of his is a must-read!

Lizzie:  I’ll tell him you said that. He still gets like a kid on Christmas when he hears that kind of stuff, even after five straight New York Times bestsellers.

Lily:  And I’ll try not to go all fan-girl again. So, do you like big crowds of people?

Lizzie:  Not in general, since I tend to feel overwhelmed, but it depends on the occasion.

Lily:  Do you believe in luck and miracles?

Lizzie:  Hell, yeah, although I have crappy luck for the most part. But I choose to believe in the good stuff. My day may come eventually.

Lily (smirks):  Oh, I’m positive it will. 

Lizzie:  But you’re not going to share?

Lily:  What fun would that be? Trust me, Lizzie, you’ll enjoy the surprise. Or surprises, I should say. (Insert evil laugh.) Back to the interview. What good thing happened last summer?

Lizzie:  Well, my youngest niece, Sabrina, was born. And Meg, Jess, and I got to the beach for a week. 

Lily:  Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?

Lizzie:  Does it count if it was my Dad? (Lily shakes her head.) Last romantic kiss? Not a chance. He told me I’d be perfect if only I could lose a few pounds and he was a lousy kisser. Too much tongue. (Shudders.)

Lily:  Do you think there is life on other planets?

Lizzie:  Ah, that was part of my deep conversation with Matty. I have to say yes. The universe is too vast for Earth to be the only inhabited planet. 

Lily:  Do you still talk to your first crush?

Lizzie:  He’s my dry cleaner, so yep. That’s life in a small town. You can’t go anywhere without running into somebody you know.

Lily:  Do you like bubble baths?

Lizzie:  Are there people who don’t? Wow. So weird!

Lily:  Do you like your neighbors?

Lizzie:  I could do without the heavy metal music thumping right below my bed and the squeaky mattress and … um … acrobatic sex above it, but for the most part, yes. No nosy neighbors and when I’ve needed help they’ve been there, like the time heavy metal dude helped me catch a bat. 

Lily: A bat? Ugh! So, what are your bad habits?

Lizzie:  I’m too lazy to bother cooking for myself, so I eat way too much junk, which is why I have too much junk … in my trunk. I make excuses to skip the gym on a daily basis. And, in the spirit of complete honesty, I put myself down way too much.

Lily:  I think most women do that. Where would you like to travel?

Lizzie:  Australia is at the top of my list, but I’d love to go back to England, too. I went there years ago and stayed at youth hostels. This time, I’d like to upgrade my experience, maybe stay at a country estate hotel. But I’m broke, so that won’t be happening anytime soon.

Lily:  Do you have trust issues?

Lizzie:  Big time. I’ve been burned way too many times, so I have a hard time letting my guard down.

Lily:  Favorite part of your daily routine?

Lizzie:  On a workday? Walking in the door, putting on comfy clothes, and cuddling up on the sofa with my two cats. 

Lily:  Sounds cozy. What body part are you most uncomfortable with?

Lizzie:  Butt, gut, and thighs. 

Lily:  What do you do when you wake up? 

Lizzie:  Hit the snooze bar a few times. Bitch about how early it is. Fall back to sleep, then wake up with no time to get ready. Can you tell I’m not a morning person?

Lily:  Maybe just a little. Is there anything you’d like to change about your appearance?

Lizzie:  Butt, gut, and thighs. But I’d have to get my ass to the gym and say farewell to takeout so … I am who I am. 

Lily:  Who are you most comfortable around?

Lizzie:  I think it depends on the situation. I can fake my way through a lot of things, but I’m most myself with my close friends. Now if you were to flip the question, I’m most uncomfortable around men that I don’t know. 

Lily:  Interesting. Have any of your ex’s told you they regret breaking up? 

Lizzie:  Nope. But that’s fine because I wouldn’t want any of them back. 

Lily:  Do you ever want to get married?

Lizzie:  I’ve been dreading that question. Here’s the thing, I’m a romantic, but given my track record, I’m not sure it’s in the cards for me. 

Lily:  You never know.

Lizzie:  There you go, being mysterious again. The simple answer is, yes. I do want to get married. But I only want to marry someone who loves me as much as I love him. 

Lily:  That’s how it should be. Complete change of pace, is your hair long enough for a ponytail?

Lizzie:  Yes. Not sure what else to say to that!

Lily:  Which celebrities would you like to make love with?

Lizzie:  Just one. Griffin Brookes! Yum. But I don’t think I’ll ever meet him so … Besides, he’s married.

Lily:  I’ll have to agree with you on that one! Would you rather win a million dollars in the lottery or never have to pay for anything ever again?

Lizzie:  Never have to pay for anything ever again, because then I wouldn’t need the money.

Lily:  Do you play sports?

Lizzie:  I played little league for a few years when I was a kid, but nothing recent. I love baseball, though.

Lily:  Would you rather live without TV or music?

Lizzie:  TV, I think. I have music on all the time, especially when I’m reading. 

Lily:  Have you ever liked someone and never told them?

Lizzie: Oh, God, yes! Many times. But they always seem to figure it out.

Lily:  What do you say during awkward silences?

Lizzie:  Honestly, I don’t find silence awkward or uncomfortable. I guess that’s the introvert in me. I don’t think every second needs to be filled with noise.

Lily:  I agree with you on that point. What are your favorite stores to shop in?

Lizzie:  Can I confess that I hate shopping? But if I have to give an answer, any bookstore, anywhere. 

Lily:  Good answer! Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance?

Lizzie:  Ooh, that’s a tough one. I definitely believe in second chances, and I know for a fact that people can change because I’ve seen it. That said, if someone has hurt me, I will wish them well with someone else, but they’re probably not getting a second chance with me. 

Lily:  So you’d be cautious. Nothing wrong with that. What did you want to do after high school?

Lizzie:  Unfortunately, I didn’t have a clue. I went to Penn State and studied English, so I wasn’t really career-minded. When I got out, I just drifted into the first job that came along and here I am …

Lily:  It’s never too late to try something new, you know.

Lizzie:  Maybe. But I don’t have the money to go back to school right now. 

Lily:  If you’re being extremely quiet, what does it mean?

Lizzie:  It probably means that I’m listening, but it could also mean that I’m daydreaming and not paying attention. Or it might mean that I’m plotting something. You just never know!

Lily:  Do you smile at strangers?

Lizzie:  Sure, why not? I know that when I’m having a bad day, sometimes one smile or one cheerful hello can turn things around. 

Lily:  Trip to outer space or bottom of the ocean?

Lizzie:  Outer space.

Lily:  Do you want a roommate?

Lizzie:  I’d consider it, but I’m not looking. It would be nice to split the bills with someone, but roommates can be tough territory. 

Lily:  Agreed. What are you paranoid about?

Lizzie:  I hate when people sneak up on me. Is that paranoid? 

Lily:  Eh. A little. What was the meanest thing someone ever said to you?

Lizzie:  There are too many to list here. 

Lily:  What was the nicest thing someone ever said to you?

Lizzie:  Every ‘I love you’. That says everything, don’t you think?

Lily:  Absolutely. Just two more questions. Have you done something recently you hope no one finds out about? 

Lizzie:  Yes. But I can’t say what because then people would find out. I will admit that it was at work. 

Lily:  Fair enough. Last question. What language do you want to learn?

Lizzie:  I already know some Spanish from high school and college, but I’ve always wanted to learn French or Italian. Or heck, why not French and Italian. 

Lily:  Why not? Thanks for taking the time to talk to me. 

Lizzie:  Any chance I could get a clue or two for answering? 

Lily:  Nope. 

Lizzie:  Damn it. Just … make it amazing!

Lily:  Oh, I shall, Lizzie. I shall!

***

Coming up next! The one and only Colin D. Blake answers the same questions. 

     Patience has never been my strong suit. The ATM isn’t fast enough for me, and don’t even get me started on a slow Internet connection! I tap my fingers and mutter under my breath, all for a few seconds. I’m not proud of it, and I do try to control myself, but it is what it is.
     So the fact that I’m currently waiting on something that’s outside of my control (yes, I like to be in control; no, I’m not a control-freak), should be driving me bonkers. 
     By some miracle, it’s not. 
     Maybe it’s because it took me so long to get here. These stories, these characters, have been a part of my life for a long time, and they have been quite patient with me. They’ve stayed with me through a severe (and almost fatal) case of writer’s block. They’ve stayed while I got myself together. They’ve always been there, gently nudging me, but never pushing. 
     Maybe it’s because now that I am ready to set them free, to release them into the world, I don’t feel the need to rush. I want their entrance to be exciting and joyful. And yes, I want it to be as close to perfection as it can be. 
     As I’ve prepared Lizzie’s Surprise for release, I’ve been surprised at how much I’ve learned and at how much I am enjoying the process. Some of the work is tedious. Some of it is way outside of my comfort zone. And yes, some of it has had me close to tears. But in the end, I’ve loved every second of the journey! 
     I currently wear many hats, but there are one or two that I have to delegate to someone else. I’ve never been good at delegating (it’s the control thing), and I usually feel like it will be more efficient to do it myself. But I’ve done it. And I’m not letting myself stress about it.
     I’m going to relax. I’m going to trust that everything will work out exactly as it should. 
     And I am going to relish the anticipation!
     But don’t worry, I’m on the right on track. I’ll share my release date and my cover very soon! Until then, enjoy the daily snippets on my Facebook page.