My Debut Novel and Thoughts

I have decided to self-publish my first novel, The Zumba Class!

It is now available on Amazon in eBook format. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DM9S8YGK

The cover is about as plain as they come and there is not a lot to it except the story and an acknowledgments page. I am hoping to sell a little, makek some money and then be able to pay a bit to create or get a better cover and also pay to print out some paperbacks to sell.

I would love for anyone interested to read it and if you like it, tell your family and friends, and write a nice review. I am still trying to figure out if I can do anything marketing wise without having to spend money or neglecting other activities that I should be doing.

Anyway, here is hoping for success!

The Indianapolis Monumental Marathon is tomorrow! This week has been a doozy as far as the election results, experiencing phantom cramps, and developing a cold in this last week of tapering that is supposed to be the easiest. I've actually only ran about 4.3 miles this week and did Yoga one day. Anyway, my goal time is still 3 hours 20 minutes or under and still think I can do it. I am going to try to run with the pacer or pace group tomorrow as long as I can or even well and then at the end speed up (haha).

Now, I want to address my feelings and thoughts about the election results from Tuesday. I feel like I am still processing, trying to come to terms with everything, and not let myself go down into really dark places because that ultimately will not help me or anyone else! I worry about our nation and the darker days that I feel with almost 100% certainty are coming and hoping that during these dark times that the true lights can continue to shine even if it is just a glimmer that gives hope to others and ultimately encourage and help more lights to come on, grow, and illuminate everyone into we all are in better days again. Those of us trying to spread the light and truth, I am afraid is going to be a long, defeating at times, and even dangerous journey as women, immigrants, science, the environment, the arts, education, healthcare, and so much comes under attack and threat. I pray that despite all the ignorance and hate that the lights can reveal love, empathy, and caring even for those that disagreed with us and voted for all of these things coming to happen and then wonder why they are being hurt and uncared for too by those leaders they helped to put in power. It is a great responsibility and I don't and will not go down with the satisfaction that I was on the right side of history even though the majority didn't realize it at the time, but as someone who didn't just throw their hands up and go, "this is what y'all wanted, so be it." I want to continue to speak and fight for justice when I can and in ways that God puts in front of me to do under his direction.

Because you see, I am a Christian, but I didn't vote for this and support this! I have been reading Psalm 34 a lot lately and trying to meditate on this, praying, and trying to stay focused on Jesus. As anyone knows though, it can be hard, but I strive to be that person who has joy and unyielding faith to God in the midst of whatever chaos or suffering is going on around me because I know that this isn't the end for me. I am not there yet, but that is the type of life that I want. I didn't mean to get all preachy there but it's on my mind and heart.

I am not looking to make anyone feel scared or have fear of what might come either. I pray that nothing bad comes to pass, that the United States prospers and there is peace. However, I can't ignore the words and actions that those elected to power are saying and doing that create a sense that we must prepare for what is to come. Going into this blindly or with ignorance saying that nothing bad is going to happen will not help you or anyone else.

I also feel an urgency to go ahead and get my other two novels ready and self-publish them on Amazon before books and media start getting banned. I saw today on Facebook a quote maybe from Toni Morrison that said somethig along the lines of in dark times, this is when artists, writers, and the creative minds in our societies need to shine.

Let me try to end on a positive note, my counselor/therapist said something yesterday that stuck with me. He stated that another counselor or therapist had told him that in times like this it is easy to get caught up in the big picture of things and what is going to happen or happening at the national level, and we need to try to actually get smaller and come back to our own communities. We should try to reach out to those around us, get to know our neighbors, our communities; find ways and figure out what we can do at our individual community levels to foster the world we want to see and live in. This is something that I am going to try to be more deliberate in and connect to those around me because that is what will ultimately help us get through times like these.

As always, take care of yourselves and those you love!