Stress – not a writer's friend.

Like many people I know, I’m suffering from this 4-6 week virus that’s going around (“4-6 weeks for normal people,” said my doctor. “Probably much longer for you!”) Now hubby and I both have cold on top of that. I totally agree that stress makes you more susceptible to illness, and I’m stressing myself out more by worrying about the myriad of things which are affecting my life at the moment: no money, uncertainty, frustration, etc, etc. I hate not being able to problem-solve!!! And I’m stuck in the house liked a caged animal (more like a goldfish in a bowl, since the curtain rod broke and everyone can see into the house)!

It’s impossible to even write for cathartic purposes when your mind cannot concentrate on one topic long enough to form a logical thought! Adding to the stress is the fact that I STILL have not heard from my publisher. As you know, the main man contacted me before Christmas to ask for my contact details (?). I assumed this meant he would contact me. I heard nothing so emailed again. This email also asked what the status was of my entry to the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance, for which Natalie had entered me. Again, I heard nothing, so contacted the organisers myself and was told they had no record of a nomination, but if I could send six books, they would be happy to consider me. That was very kind, but leaves me with a dilemma: six books is equal to almost £50…then there’s postage on top. It’s a great competition, but when you have zero money, is it wise to take a leap in the dark to enter a competition you have 0.000000000001% chance of winning? Especially when you consider Marian Keyes won last years’s Award. Maybe things like that are best left to the professionals…