A Surprise Visit from a Reader (and What it Taught me).

As a writer, I sometimes have doubts whether it’s all worth it — especially when I’m spending hours in a world of creativity, instead of spending precious time with my family (thankfully, they all understand my need to write).

Recently, after trying to juggle time during the Easter holiday between spending leisure time together, and keeping to my writing schedule, I felt quite overwhelmed and pretty exhausted.

 

I began to question:

Is my writing important enough to claim so much of my time?

Does my novel, Bitter Pill, still have readers?

Will the book die a death and end up as landfill?

Was it worth all the time, energy, and attention?

And there were many more questions swarming my drained brain.

 

Then …

A few days after Easter, I had an unexpected visitor.

 

 

It was a lady who I hadn’t met. In Cornwall, people sometimes turn up unannounced, and this is quite normal for the Cornish. After living in Cornwall for 15 years, it still surprises me — coming from a city where sometimes even neighbours don’t pass the time of day — I accept this now as their intended friendly, community manner.

 

When I opened the door, she smiled and said, ‘I’m Shirley. I wanted to give you this.’  She handed me a card. ‘I’ve read your book and I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it. It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read, and I’m an avid reader.'

 

The Card

 

 

Shirley told me, that Bitter Pill was currently being passed around her family and how excited she was to read the sequel (which, if you have read my last blog post is nowhere on the horizon!). 

I explained to her that I am working on a different novel and she didn’t seem to mind. ‘I want to read them all,’ she said. ‘I love your writing style and I couldn’t put this one down. I was so shocked at the end, too.’ Shirley went on to chat about the twists and turns of the plot and asked me lots of questions about my life as a writer. Before she left, she said, ‘You are so talented, your writing is the best ever and I can’t wait for your next book.’

She told me how pleased she was to meet a ‘real author’.

Once inside, I read her card.

 

Shirley's Message

 

Her visit really brightened my day. It was as though the universe had given me the message to continue on my path as an author.

I wanted to share this news, because even when we doubt ourselves, we should never lose faith, whatever our calling. 

It was such a wonderful gift to learn Bitter Pill is still fulfilling readers and bringing them pleasure.

After Shirley’s visit, when I’d come back down to earth, I opened up my MacBook, now feeling energised and wrote some new scenes for my current work in progress, Identity. I also typed up some new notes for another blog post, to be published soon in the homeopathy section. 

A few days later: 

I received a picture message from Scotland. The photograph was of a group of people I hadn’t heard from in over 40 years. It was a blast from the past! During their reunion, they had discovered through a mutual friend that I was now a ‘famous author’ (if only) — they all knew me as a nurse back then. Together, they googled me, and said they would all be ordering Bitter Pill. 

Another big surprise!

Two unexpected encounters provided answers to some of my questions. My novel is still being read and enjoyed, which confirms I must be doing something right.

Every single person touched by my writing makes it all worthwhile.

For more information on Bitter Pill, go here

To read my previous blog post, go here 

To visit my introductory post on homeopathy, go here