Reflections

by Cheri Chesley

As I type this, my husband is behind me answering my son's question, "What is a coma?"

It calls to mind a conversation I overheard my twins have on our way to a wedding reception.

Twin B: You're lucky I didn't devour you when we were single cells.

Twin A: How do you know I didn't almost devour you?

Well, at least no one can say my life is boring. :)

Very soon, my family will embark on the next chapter in our lives. In this upcoming chapter, I anticipate more writing time and more ebooks--and also more time spent with my kids.

We're moving. To a very small town. I'm really looking forward to it. Fortunately, so are the kids. My husband's parents need some help, and we just happen to be at a point in our lives where we can offer it.

I remember being told that my children will provide a great deal of inspiration for my writing, and that I should diligently observe them and their interactions. I'm finding that guidance particularly easy to obey. These kids I've been blessed with provide me with an unending supply of angst, happiness, anger, sadness, laughter and silliness. They are a constant blessing in my life.

Don't forget to stay tuned to my personal BLOG for updates on my writing activities and upcoming books. I'm waiting right now to hear from the publisher on a recent submission. That never ceases to be a nail-biting experience. :)

Change can be Good

My kids start school tomorrow, and in my house that's a good thing. The trouble is it happens to be the only thing occupying my mind lately. So when I sat down to plot out this post, it's all I could think of.

My youngest will be a first grader, so this will be the first year none of my kids will be home during the day. I'm too excited for the opportunities they'll face to be worried about missing them. (It also helps that I have kids I babysit, so I'll hardly be alone) The beginning of a new school year also has its share of anxiety. One of my kids refuses to do her work or listen to her teacher if it's something she doesn't want to do. Stubborn? Willful? Oh, ya. I have no idea where she gets that...;)

But change is good. Change is necessary. My husband once said the only constant in life is change. And it sunk in deep. We aren't progressing or moving forward without change. I've come to a point in my life where I almost seek change. It's exciting, or at least it can be.

For instance, I found out recently that the cover I thought my book would have (or something similar) has been changed. Now I am exercising patience until I find out what it will be. A lot of patience, but that's just me. I'm anxious to order business cards, posters, wristbands--and promote the book--but I need to wait until I see the cover.

But, regardless, I'm choosing to see this change as a good thing. It's different, perhaps not what I envisioned, but there are people who know better than I do what will catch a reader's eye--and it would be foolish of me to not at least consider their wisdom and experience.

I also realized that my second book's main character had changed on me. It's something I will have to adapt to.

In the mean time, I will focus on the changes my children face. 8th grade, 6th grade, 4th grade, and 1st grade.