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!

Nerves or Hot Flashes?

Honestly, I really thought that since I started having peri-menopausal symptoms so early that it would end early too! A couple weeks ago I noticed that the night sweats and hot flashes seemed to have petered out a bit. I thought Hallelujah...  it's over! Well, the last couple of days they seem to have returned with a vengeance! As a matter of fact, they seem to be happening on the hour today. Then it dawned on me... maybe it's just nerves.

See... I have my first author reading/book signing tonight and the butterflies have begun. I guess the little fellas were cold because the hot simmer under the skin is joining the party. Oh well, I'll have lots of copies of the book to fan myself with (hopefully a lot fewer at the end of the evening).

If you're in Halifax, NS and want to 'come go mental with me' tonight (July 2nd) I'll be at the Keshen Goodman Library (in Clayton Park) at 7 pm.

Tomorrow night (July 3) I'll be at Stayner's Wharf from 4-6 pm signing books and raffling off goodies as well.  Everyone's invited.

Here's a little tune to entertain you whether you're coming or not. I've decided it's my Mental Pause theme song ... love Boy George!:

Amazon Reviewer Compares Mental Pause with Thelma and Louise!

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Okay... I have to share this review because it got me grinning from ear to ear! I'm pink with delight!

Anne ;)

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast and furious! March 15, 2013

By Jennifer Elizabeth Hyndman

Format:Paperback

First of all, it elaborates on a very real and misunderstood medical condition that is more often the brunt of jokes rather than sympathy. Menopause is a life-altering change to the human body and this book combines that aspect with how it affects the soul of the body. In this book, Abbie will take you through this change and more!

With a Thelma and Louise type of abandon (minus the abuse), the character is confused at whether she is being redefined or being smothered under the change. I can only hope to have the support she has because without it, this change in life can/will change a person's life itself forever. You can/will lose friends and family and even lose your sanity. So, it makes perfect sense that the book developed from a girl read to a murder mystery. Entertaining as high-speed all the time, this is a one-two sitter. That means you'll read it in one-two sittings.

It's educational to those whom have yet to experience menopause and it should be given to your husband so that he can understand that the craziness is to be expected.

The author does an incredibly detailed job of explaining and describing symptoms and emotions. While reading this, you will also experience this. Fact. You can't help it. The author plants things into your mind so that the depth of the symptoms are at least attainable. A glimpse of the unknown and a touch of the hem of the garment of the robe.

With Thelma and Louise I was able to connect deeply deeply deeply with the characters and unbelievably I did so with the same depth in this book with Abbie. The author writes very well and any formatting errors were few and far between. I did not find this distracting because I expect that with ANY book from anyone even J.R. Tolkien I mean come on we are all only human.

At times a bit gritty but not dark at all. It's not what I would call a light read, but a fast read. It wasn't light, but I still read it fast because it was intense and I HAD to know where the author was taking me. It's really that simple, she writes a story like a pirate makes a treasure hunt; the treasure is elusive but the clues are excitedly honing you in and you will work feverishly to get there. Try to read it any other way lol.

I don't even know how to place this in a genre so I'm having to split it as a Crime Drama/Family/Mystery/Chic...it's a weird combo but it works.

2013 IPPY Awards

Just taking a brief pause between stops in our travels to share some photos from the 2013 Independent Publisher Book Awards in NY, where I received a bronze medal for Mental Pause (Best Adult Fiction eBook category). It was a blast!

In the spotlight!

Meeting other medalists was the best! Here are co-authors of You Can't Eat Dirt, Vyola J. Ortner, Diana C. du Pont, which won a silver medal for Best Regional Non-Fiction-West Pacific 

Dick Wagner, Silver Medalist-autobiography/memoir for Not Only Women Bleed. This guy collaborated with Alice Cooper on the song Only Women Bleed and performed it at the awards. Cool!

Joining the other medalists in my category.

What do I know?

The excitement mounts as I prepare for my next stop on the virtual book tour this morning at Jeri Walker-Bickett's blog, What do I Know?... A Twisted Book Blog.

Come join us as we discuss life as a writer and self-published author and give away a couple copies of Mental Pause along the way!!!

I was also surprised and delighted to see another interview posted today on Expat Focus. Pop by and check it out and peruse the website for some great columns by expats from all over the world. I actually do a regular column on life in Thailand :)

I took a brief pause over the past couple of weeks but the momentum is gathering steam again so I'll be sharing more in the coming weeks. The champagne celebration in my last post was actually at the Moulin Rouge in Paris where I was with my mom-in-law. What a great place... and loads of inspiration for another novel I'm working on that will be set in Paris.

Happy Reading and Writing!

Mental Pause Wins Award!

Well, a couple months ago I decided, what the heck, I'll enter Mental Pause in the 2013 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY) program. There were 2,500 entries so I really didn't think as a first time novelist I had a chance so I hit send and then basically forgot about it... until I got an email announcing the winners.

Time to celebrate!

I scrolled through the list and there, in the Best in Adult Fiction ebook category, in the bronze medalist position, was Mental Pause! I practically fell off my chair, until I noticed that the author's name wasn't mine. What! Could there have been two books of the same title entered in the same category? I held my breath and my excitement and fired off an email to the organizer. He replied almost immediately apologizing for the error, fixed it right away and congratulated me for my win!

I'm thrilled and just a bit incredulous but it's something like this that spurs a writer on to work even harder and produce more. I'd like to congratulate all the winners and happily share with you the announcement from Independent Publishers. There are some amazingly talented indie authors on this list and I'm humbled to be included among them. Have a look and see... you might find a couple of real gems to add to your collection!

This Week's Tour Stops

Just a reminder of the blogs I'll be visiting on the Mental Pause virtual book tour this week:


The Artist Unleashed - on the Alliterative Allomorph, guest post April 17th, 'Inspiration comes from the strangest places.

And...

Morgen Bailey's Blog - guest post, April 18th, 'Switching Genres'


See you there!