Returning and Reinvigorating

I haven't posted here in a very long while but I have a very good reason (I know... excuses, excuses)! I've been working on my latest novel, Deep Deceit, and it finally launched in March (same date as Mental Pause two years ago, International Women's Day). The past couple of months have been a flurry of launch activities to get the word out so poor Mental Pause has sort of taken a back seat.

I've been pondering what to do with this blog... forget about it or rejuvenate it. After long and careful thought, and seeing a pitch from an author whose debut novel, Going Through the Change: A Menopausal Superhero Novel, which is coming out soon, I decided I would bring it back alive but change the focus just a bit. I plan to use it to highlight other books about women going through 'the change' (both fiction and non-fiction).

So, I'm officially sending an invitation to:

1.  All avid readers and women (or partners/family/friends of women) who are entering and/or in the midst of 'Mental Pause', or have left it in the dust (as mercifully I have done for the most part) to send recommendations on books you'd like to see featured and, even better, submit your own reviews.

and

2. Any authors who have written on the subject who would like to do a guest post or simply submit a synopsis of your book (complete with links, cover image and head shot).

Email me at anne@globalwritingsolutions.com ... it's as simple as that! I don't have a huge following yet but I'm hoping that you'll be able to help me change that! If you'd simply like to leave a suggestion in the comments below, that's fine too! I'll take the suggestion, take a look and take it from there.

In the meantime,
Happy flashing!

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The Mood Swings

"I'm out of estrogen and I have a handgun... any questions?" This is on the front of a t-shirt my big sister gave me when I started 'flashing'. It appears in the first chapter of Mental Pause and I read that particular excerpt at a recent author reading in my hometown of Halifax, NS. It got a great laugh:

I guess we all feel that way occasionally (at least those who are in the throes of menopause, peri-menopause, or what's euphemistically called the 'change of life'). My sister-in-law said to me the other day that she wished there was an official slap day! Then we could get it all out and return to our normal, sweet selves the next day. Hmmmm.

How are you handling the swings? I wrote a book! No matter how crazy I was feeling, Abbie was always having a much harder time. I highly recommend writing... it doesn't have to be a book and you don't have to share it with anyone if you don't want to. It's just a great release that doesn't hurt anyone (especially you) and you'll feel so much better. I'm working on my next novel because the first one felt so good! And, I will keep sharing a rant or two here on Mental Pause!

Here's the actual t-shirt:

 

I have been told that reading the book is even a release, so feel free to order a copy and share your feedback and comments here or, if I may be so bold as to ask, do a review on Amazon!  And, don't be afraid to talk about it... especially with the male members of your family. They'll never really understand but if you try to explain how it feels at least they can be empathetic. I guess part of the fear is that if we talk about it, we have to acknowledge that we're of a certain age. Well, as my wise mother (fondly known as MT) always says, "You're not too old for the years you've been born!" By the way, she's 89, soon to be 90, so I can't really complain to her about getting older, can I? However, I'm very fortunate that she's a great listener... and my best friend :)

Happy Flashing!