photo credit: solarpoweredkate.wordpress.com
The end of summer is known for transitions: back-to-school, back to a regular schedule, back on track. Here are a few transitions going on in my life right now:
I completed my first ever series. The Bride of Ivy Green, Book 3 in the Tales of Ivy Hill series, is finished. I have proofed the final galleys and the next time I see those pages, they will be inside a printed book (December). I know lots of authors write series, but this was my first attempt after ten stand-alone books, and setting out to do something new (to me) and accomplishing it feels good and satisfying. Now I’m eager for the whole series to be in print—especially for those readers who’ve told me they wait until the entire series is available before they buy any of them. 🙂
In the meantime, I am writing a rough draft of my next book. I may do another series someday, but for now I’ve shifted back to stand-alone writing and am enjoying crafting an all-in-one-cover novel—-this time, a mystery.
We’re also anticipating a few transitions family-wise. It’s been a summer of ups and downs, but if all goes well, we’ll be sending not one, but two sons off to college in the next week. Son #1 has finished his job at a golf course and will be returning for his junior year at one college, and son #2 will be setting off for his first year at a different one. More transitions ahead. For our youngest, from high school to college life. And for my husband and me, to the empty-nest phase of life (at least until they both return home on breaks with piles of dirty laundry).
Your prayers would be appreciated as my family navigates new ground. What transitions are you looking forward to (or not) this fall?
Latest posts by Julie Klassen (see all)
- Gifts for Readers…or You! - November 12, 2024
- Research Challenges & A New Release | Guest Post by Erica Vetsch - October 22, 2024
- Book News & Second Chances - October 8, 2024
Transitions are so bittersweet. We wouldn’t want things to stay stagnant, and there’d be something wrong if our kids DIDN’T grow up and start their own lives. But the end of an era is always a little sad, too. If it’s any encouragement, Julie, Ken and I have LOVED the empty nest…even more than we thought we would. Blessings on your family. May it be a wonderful year for each of you!
Oooo, a new book series! Glad to know about this one – have just uploaded Book #1 to my Kindle! 🙂
Transitions are a difficult time for sure.
When our daughter married, I cried for a week. She didn’t move very far away, only 6 miles but it felt like she was halfway across the country.
When our son moved out and got his first job and apartment, without a washing machine or dryer, he would come to the house with his loads of dirty laundry, also.
I can very much relate to what you and your husband are going through.
I was actually just praying for you in these transitions this morning! 🙂
Congratulations on completing your series, Julie! Wow — the transition to an empty nest is a biggie. Thinking of you!
I love this Ivy Green series and am looking forward to book #3 coming out! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication.
We just moved to a new town & state, so the transition has been going on for the past month. Unpacking, cleaning, organizing, finding a new church home, grocery stores, etc. is what fills up my time currently (while my hubby learns his new job). But God is always with us, in the midst of transitions or just everyday life. So thankful we can depend on Him!
Enjoy this new stage of your lives as empty nesters. I remember when my Mom went through this when I left home for college. She got herself a job in a doctor’s office, which later led to becoming a nanny to his family of five children. The Lord knew what my Mom needed and also provided a nanny for a lovely Christian family.
I’ll be more than ready to read the new book in December! I like to wait until around a month before the next installment comes out. My memory isn’t what it used to be and I like to remember what happened before, even if it was to a different couple. Since I hate winter, the long hours of darkness and cold weather, I am trying to stay happy as long as possible; my goal is to not be depressed until after we go back to Standard Time in November. The Lord is good, don’t get me wrong, I just prefer daylight and warmth to darkness and cold. Regarding empty-nest syndrome, my sister and bro-in-law looked forward to their nest being empty. Alas, it didn’t last. Two of their four kids are back living with them, along with two grandchildren. So count your blessings!
Julie, congratulations on the finale of your first series! I haven’t yet read any of them, but I own the first one and will soon collect the other two. I like reading series books close to each other when possible. I’m interested to read your mystery too, so of course, I wish you the best during the writing of it.
May the upcoming transitions go smoothly for you! Will your boys’ being off to college allow you even more writing time? I hope your husband and you will enjoy your empty-nest time.
A transition for me is getting back to work soon. August is my month off between the summer and autumn sessions of tutoring. This time around, I have another editing job coming along in the second half of this month as well, so I’ll be doubly busy, but happily so.
I’m also transitioning to learn to write a thriller. I’ve always focused on contemporary or historical ideas before, but I’ve loved thriller books and movies most of my life, so it makes sense that I’d attempt to write one now.
Blessings,
Andrea
Copy Editor
andrearenee2004@yahoo.com
WritingToInspire.blogspot.com
(If this shows up twice, I apologize. It didn’t appear to submit the first time.)
Julie, congratulations on the finale of your first series! I haven’t yet read any of them, but I own the first one and will soon collect the other two. I like reading series books close to each other when possible. I’m interested to read your mystery too, so of course, I wish you the best during the writing of it.
May the upcoming transitions go smoothly for you! Will your boys’ being off to college allow you even more writing time? I hope your husband and you will enjoy your empty-nest time.
A transition for me is getting back to work soon. August is my month off between the summer and autumn sessions of tutoring. This time around, I have another editing job coming along in the second half of this month as well, so I’ll be doubly busy, but happily so.
I’m also transitioning to learn to write a thriller. I’ve always focused on contemporary or historical ideas before, but I’ve loved thriller books and movies most of my life, so it makes sense that I’d attempt to write one now.
Blessings,
Andrea
Copy Editor
andrearenee2004@yahoo.com
WritingToInspire.blogspot.com
Transitions!
I’m in the thick of it and could use prayer!
I raised my now 19-year-old son in my parents’ home and now that they’re deceased, had to clean it out, fix it up, and sell it.
In May, I got married.
My husband had taken a job in another state and was renting a teeny cabin, so that’s where we are living while we look for a house, which is proving very difficult.
I keep choking back tears, thinking that I want to go home, but I don’t know where home is. I miss my parents, I miss my son, who can’t stay with us in this teeny place.
Sometimes I feel the way expectant Moms do at the end of a pregnancy that seems to drag on too long. You just want to hold your baby in your arms.
I don’t know if that makes any sense, but transitions can be a challenge, for sure.
Will pray for you.
You will love transitioning into the empty nesters stage of life….it is a fun, adventurous stage….enjoy!