Of all the things to serve as a reminder, it was my Kat von D lip pencil. Huh? I hear you wonder. How can a lip pencil be a reminder?

Well, it goes like this. I bought that particular pencil when working as a Sales Assistant at The Works, having decided that I wished no longer to work in Medical Sales. That was in late September 2018.

In June 2019, aforementioned lip pencil RAN OUT. I have never had a lip pencil run out, never! I have discarded them before then, since I change them roughly every three months. I found the lead used to break, making them a pain to sharpen. But my Kat von D ‘Skully’ ran out.

[image error]Count the months … nine months. Nine months since I started my retail career, and seven months since I became Manager of the Newmarket branch of The Works.

Then, the other day, I did something else. I packed away all the shirts I used to wear in my 20 years of Medical Sales. More than 14 shirts. This weekend, I shall do the suits. Then I shall clear out all the boxes and have my husband bring down all the storage bags so I can decide what stays and what goes. Yeah, loads of people have done that de-cluttering thing. But those shirts. All 14 of them. They were a symbol of my previous career. I can’t face discarding them, but they should not be given wardrobe space. But it took 9 months.

 

Writing anything of a decent length has also been taking time. I could say it is down to planning, but I don’t really plan my stories.

[image error]Those of you who follow my meanderings on Facebook will know that I have a strong interest in promoting the need to end the stigma against mental illness. There is a simple reason. I have been there, and there are days when I am still there. Each of these things, clearing my former working wardrobe, or finding it difficult to work on my stories, it is part of that process of finding my way out of the darkness. Compared to where I was, when I could not even leave my house, I have come a long way.

Where will my path take me. This week sees the completion of my probationary period with The Works. I hope that the week will end well. From here I have several plans relating to my books:

A ‘box set’ of ‘Alpha’, ‘Beta’ and ‘Fane’ available in paperback
“Y Ddraig”: sequel to “Fane”
“Cysgodion”: the story of Casimir Gosselin
An updated version of ‘Medved’
“Ma’iitsoh”: the sequel to “Medved”
A short story linked to “Medved”
“Omega”: the sequel to “Ma’iitsoh”

[image error]Lots of idea and lots of plans. Some of those plans will take a while, some will take a bit less. I am going to endeavour to take a bit less than the lifetime of my Kat von D lip-pencil to put those plans in motion.

I was asked recently why I write. It was my escape from a job which kept me away from home, which interfered with my work/life balance. Ironically, the manager responsible for pushing that workload found out the hard way why a work/life balance mattered. Whilst my present job is a lot less stressful, that’s not to say it is free of stress. When it comes down to it, I enjoy writing. I have made some pretty amazing friends as a writer and I have learnt a lot about myself, both my strengths and weaknesses. So as long as I can continue to create characters who relish having a strong partner at their side, then I shall continue to produce my books. I shall continue to fight against the stigma associated in the workplace that means a mental health issue is seen as a weakness.

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RELEVANT LINKS FOR JO PILSWORTH

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JKPilsworth

Paranormal may not be your thing. Urban fantasy may not either. But who knows? I may be one of your friends new favourite author.

Inspired by #Legends an #UrbanFantasy series. 

Alpha: https://t.co/IRZLR92AFu

Beta: https://t.co/DGDDI03VB9

Merysekhmet (US link): https://t.co/fFOUm5MHUs

Toho: https://t.co/oKtbDgrqiHhttps://t.co/mGMuJWd6Xd

Medved: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C19QKPH

AMAZON LINKS

Alpha (US link): https://t.co/IRZLR92AFu

Beta: https://t.co/DGDDI03VB9

Merysekhmet (US link): https://t.co/fFOUm5MHUs

Toho: (US link): https://t.co/oKtbDgrqiHhttps://t.co/mGMuJWd6Xd

Medved: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C19QKPH