March was such a jam packed month from start to finish, it’s hard to pick out just a few highlights to share with you. There were books and windmills, sports and pancakes, Anniversaries and Mother’s Day, and even a little bit of writing.
It started with a family funeral, and then a massive panic when we returned home to find my husband had caught Covid, again. Luckily his symptoms were almost nonexistent, but I was due to fly to Holland just five days later!
There was no way I was going to miss out. This trip had been planned for exactly two years before and had been postponed due to the pandemic. So, I did the only thing I could. I locked my other half in his office (which luckily had a spare mattress and bedding on the floor.), delivered every meal and drink to his door, and spoke to him over Facetime. While I lived as a single parent and tried desperately to get everything in order for my trip away —there was so much paperwork!—, he was having the time of his life.
By some miracle, neither my daughter or I got it and I was able to spend five days in the beautiful Netherlands with two of my best writing buddies, Cassidy Reyne and Kara S. Weaver. I’m sure I will include more details in my next newsletter, or write another blog post, but we had an amazing time. We visited the windmills, ate stroopwafels and poffertjes, and talked books with wine in hand. What more could you ask for?
The middle of March was our thirteenth wedding anniversary. Unlucky for us, it was the day after my husband tested positive, so we ended up sharing a nice meal in different parts of the house. We’ve also celebrated Mother’s Day here in the UK —I know the rest of the world seems to have it in May.— but of course we had to be rewarded with Daylight Savings Time and the clocks going forward an hour. Somebody sure was having a joke at our expense when that was planned out.
Other than that, I’ve had a lot going on with my daughter and school activities etc. She’s been doing really well with her running recently and has even managed to come fourth in the last two cross country races in her age bracket, against several other schools in the area. She also had a big push with her swimming and completed her bronze badge. I will make a triathlete out of her yet! Who knows, she might even be at the Olympics some day.
We are still waiting for the results of her ADHD assessment, but everything is starting to come together for her autism, and she seems to be doing well with her learning. To try and offer her the best assistance I can, I’m currently doing a weekly course for parents of children with ASC. It’s been really insightful, but also quite intense at times. I mention it mainly as April is Autism Acceptance Month. As a hidden disability, you may be surprised to find you know someone with autism, or even be autistic yourself and have never been diagnosed. What we need to remember is not every autistic person is the same, but they should be supported and accepted so that they can be themselves.
March somehow brought with it one of my most successful reading periods. I seem to have this yearly thing where I struggle to read much going from month to month, then I have a huge blow out and devour three books in the space of a week. I did it last year with the first three books of the ACOTAR series, this time it was the Folk of the Air series by Holly Black. I totally fell hook and line for the dark and often heartless Cardan, and the whole enemies to lovers theme was on point.
So, onto April and I hope to find a nice balance of reading and writing. I’m currently beta reading a lengthy novel, and I’ve just started A Court of Silver Flames (Which is mahoosive!), so I’m aiming to read a little of each every day.
As for writing April brings with it the first of this year’s Camp NaNoWriMo. I have signed up, so will be trying to work towards my goal every day, but this time I am wholly concentrating on the editing of Sorceress of Flame. I’ve never been entirely happy with the first few chapters, so they are also getting a rewrite and a facelift.
With Dave’s stint in isolation last month, I wasn’t able to send out The Archer Express as I had intended. So, over the course of this week I am going to put together the next instalment and send it out next weekend. Believe me, it is going to be packed with exciting news and sneak peeks, so you will not want to miss it!
If you’ve not signed up to The Archer Express yet, just click the below.
Well, I think that’s enough of my ramblings for now. I really hope you all have a great month ahead. And, feel free to comment below. I don’t bite… honest.
Take care, Jodie xxx
P.S. Don’t forget to keep up with my antics over on Instagram, and keep an eye out for my next Author Q&A.
Hello there! This post couldn’t be written any better!
Reading through this post reminds me of my good old room mate!
He always kept talking about this. I will forward this post to him.
Pretty sure he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!