In Gratitude to the Phoenix!

I try to live my life in gratitude — my mother taught me that, to look for things to say thank you for. In doing so, I come to appreciate a lot of things that I have going for me. I have been blessed with the opportunity to take a talent and put it on display — I have been even more blessed with all of you who have supported me through this journey. I will never understand what encouraged you to pick up my books, but I won’t question it, I am moved by your support.

It’s been about a month since “Days of the Phoenix” has come out, and I think it’s the perfect time to say “thank you” for a few things that has made the book’s release such a rewarding experience:

1. Thank you to Amazon for providing a platform for independent authors and writers to make their work a substantial product.
2. Thank you to every best friend I’ve ever had — you, all of you, are in Simon Bellinger in one way or another. I’m sorry that distance has kept us from being closer, but I carry you with me every day.
3. Thank you to my Attention Deficit Disorder — my brain is wired to be creative in a very special way and I try to embrace that.
4. Thank you for people who don’t mind sharing their stories and experiences with me — while I’m not putting their details into my work, their stories will often inspire an ember of a story that is original; this works in culmination with my ADD.
5. Thank you to everything that has ever made me feel anxious; after the book has come out, we can live in harmony and I know that I have just a little more control.
6. Thank you to everyone who reached out after my Mom passed away. Truly, there will never be a time when I will read “Days of the Phoenix” and not think about my Mom, wishing I had just a few more minutes. Your outpouring of support was treasured and I’ll never forget you.
7. Thank you coffee — you are delicious and make me smile!
8. Thank you to everyone who read the book before it was released, your feedback was crucial and invaluable!
9. Thank you to my Mom, who taught me to read.
10. Thank you to you, for reading this blog and sharing in my victory!

Writing has been such a substantive and rewarding journey for me — I am grateful that I’ve been able to release more than just my first novel, and that I have the good fortune and resources to continue perusing something that makes me feel so complete.

I will see you on your next trip through the Millerverse!