Updates: Life and Writing

Hello my reader friends. Goodness it has been a long time since I've done an actual post. What is up with me? But I did want to take a few minutes to fill you in on what's been going on with me. So here it is!

Life

I think I said it best on a recent Instagram post about my book (see post here) but basically, some times in life are reserved for one thing or another. The last year or so for me has been reserved for new changes including a new part-time youth job, moving into my own place, my then-boyfriend moving to my city, us getting engaged, and then getting MARRIED! Um, hello change!

If you aren't following me on Instagram or Facebook and didn't know this news...here it is :D

All of this to say that my blog took a...side path? Perhaps we could call it an unintentional hiatus. I'm sure you've experienced that before - having to put something aside to make room for something else.

Well, now that things have finally started to settle back into a routine for me, I've felt the tug of this space again. It's thin, wispy fingers tugging at my elbow every once in a while saying, You could blog about that. Wouldn't your blog followers like to know this? Why aren't you writing this out? If you can imagine, it's a rather persistent voice.

I'm not sure that I'm ready just yet to answer the call fully, at least to commit to a schedule of posts per week, but I am dipping my toes into reimagining what this space will be like and used for. Part of me is leaning toward talking more about my passions: not only writing, but also graphic design, photography, social media/marketing, and being a small business owner. I've been fully self-employed for about 4 years now and have been freelancing for almost 7 so I think I have quite a bit to offer on that front.

I also don't want to miss out on sharing about the books I'm reading and helping spread the word about books coming out. I mean, this is one of my biggest passion so that makes sense.

What do you think? If you have suggestions I'd love to hear them below! 

Writing

From Instagram @createexploreread

On the writing front things are also heating back up. The same rules of life apply here and I really felt as if I had to go through/experience some things in my life before I could get to the place I'm at now in my book. And that is: almost finished! 

YES my friends! I am days away from sending my completed manuscript in to my agent. It is the BEST feeling ever. Sometimes I'm tempted to get down on myself thinking: Emilie, why didn't you finish this a year ago? But, as I've said, I think I needed to be at this place in my life to write what I have. It's made the story something so much greater than it could have been had I finalized it a year ago. 

Plus, it's a great time in my life to focus on my writing. I'm letting some things go in order to hone in on my own personal writing goals rather than all the ghostwriting I've done and that feeling is sooo wonderful. 

What's Next? 

This is a very valid question, friends. One I'm not sure I have a solid answer to. Writing a blog is so fun for me, but it's also a lot of work. I don't like to throw posts together, especially informational ones, without putting some effort in to them. In order to make sure my content is the best it can be, I want to clearly identify what I'll be writing about. 

What I think you'll be able to expect from me soon are these things: 

• Writing updates as this journey continues 
• Monthly reading wrap-ups (I really enjoy this and want to get back on board with these posts)
• A new approach to the content I'm posting - more original posts with personal advice, info, tips, and tricks about what I'm passionate about. 
• Author interviews but not quite like I've done them in the past. Still thinking this through...

If you've hung in with me this far into my blogging journey - you are AMAZING. If you're new, then realize my posting schedule will be a bit sparse for the next few months as it is conference season for me (this means travel and photography) but I do promise to create content in keeping with what I've mentioned above. 

Also, please know you can always reach out to me either here (via the contact form to the side) or in Instagram via DM's to suggest content you'd like to see! I'm all for that! 

The journey continues,

Em