It’s been a funny few weeks. I was feeling on top of the World, I had a successful operation which resolved a long standing health problem just over a month ago. It’s amazing how sometimes you don’t realise how unwell you feel until you actually feel well again. It was like a miracle cure and I felt amazing.

I self published my first book, Growing Invisible, a book of short stories and poetry and sold out of my first batch of books and had to order a second run. It is now on Amazon and available on all Amazon sites across the world, both in ebook and paperback. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Growing-Invisible-Stefanie-J-Lillie/dp/B0B2HRR1XF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2MZNEATIC8JIU&keywords=growing+invisible+by+stefanie+lillie&qid=1656253682&sprefix=%2Caps%2C52&sr=8-1.

I have had some great reviews, both here on my website and on Amazon. It is a scary thing putting your work out for public scrutiny but I am glad I did as I have learned so much. I made the mistake of listening to my husband when putting a price on the 2 formats on Amazon. the paperback is fine, it is the same price as I charge on the website, £4.99, but my husband insisted I should charge £3.99 for the e-book, I thought this was too much, but he insisted that I should value the work I put into the book properly, we compromised on £3.45, but this still doesn’t sit comfortably with me. I will. go back and change the price , when I get some time to myself.

Of course when you are on top of the world eventually you have to come down and I came down with a bump.

My daughter had been bitten by a dog so I took her to A&E at about 11pm. When we arrived we were told it would be a 3 and a half hour wait, but she had to stay as the puncture wounds were deep and she would need surgery. We wore masks as did everyone else about 25 people, but 3 people were not. they looked very poorly and had obvious signs of COVID. they were left with everyone else in the waiting room. After an 8 hour wait my daughter was admitted to the plastic surgery unit, she was pumped full of antibiotics and had the damage to her hand repaired. I left her and went home to sleep. We have all been very careful to avoid Covid, had all the jabs, stayed away from crowded places, ate and drank outside wherever possible, lots of hand washing and sanitising and mask wearing. To no avail it would seem. 5 days after the visit to A&E I felt unwell and tested positive for COVID. I took to my bed and felt dreadful, sleeping for 14 hours straight. My daughter was next, then my husband and then my daughters children. My brother and sister-in-law also went down with it but it would seem they acquired the infection from elsewhere. In addition I was hoping someone with influence would promote my book, but in the end they didn’t and I was desperately disappointed.

Now I will confess to feeling very down and sorry for myself after all my precautions, what was the point? But of course the point is that it could have been so much worse, my precautions had of course been successful, I could recover at home, I had a comfortable bed and plenty of food and drink. I had to isolate but so what if it meant keeping others safe. I did not end up seriously ill, and nor did any of my family, for which I am very grateful. My book was not promoted by someone in the public eye, but other people have enjoyed it and taken the time to write reviews and for that I am very grateful.

Life is never static and although we think we may want to keep the good times going all the time, without the bad or the mundane, how can we ever appreciate the good. Of course the roller coaster of life is what keeps writers and poets in business, we have to have something to inspire us, to take our readers on the journey we need something sad or bad so our characters can battle against the odds and come out the other side triumphant.

It is a cliche, but it is good to count our blessings, to realise how lucky we are, when we are loved, have shelter, food and safety. So many people in the world right now do not have that luxury. My resolution this month is when riding life’s roller coaster, try to relax and enjoy it. Have a great week everyone.