How the Pandemic Changed My Career
At the beginning of the pandemic, I was in a state of flux and frustration. I live in Washington state, not far from the very first publicized case of Covid in the United States, at a senior nursing home just a mile from my grandson’s preschool. I thought the whole thing would last a week or two. When people predicted the closing of restaurants and the wearing of masks in public I scoffed. “That will never happen here.” Well, obviously, it did. And it lasted more than a week or two.
I had recently had my thirteenth parenting book published. I was spending time reviewing possible topics for the next book in my parenting series, but my jumbled-up brain wasn’t finding anything that I found inspiring. I needed an escape from the news and the chaos of our world.
My husband and I were taking a walk and he said, “You’ve always wanted to write fiction. Why not take a break from parenting books and write a novel?”
I was stunned. I’d never even thought of that! But now seemed like the perfect time to do it. But what would I write? The common advice is to write what you know and write what you love. My favorite books to read are paranormal cozy mysteries, so that was the perfect genre for me to dip my toe into the fiction writing world.
That day I began typing out the outline for my first cozy mystery. I was shocked at how easily the story came to my mind. I had no idea there was a fiction writer hiding inside me!
As a non-fiction writer it took about a year to research and write a book. Once I began writing my cozy mystery, my fingers could barely keep up with the story in my head. In just under two months, I had written my entire first book! I was jubilant!
I’d always worked with a large publisher, but they dictated my schedule, my topics, the title, and the entire process. Writing my mystery felt freeing, and it felt very personal. I didn’t want to hand over the reins to anyone else, so I dug into the self-publishing process and found it to be relatively easy – and as my own boss it gave me the freedom I needed.
So, here I am. Two years later and I’ve just sent out the manuscript to my newest book for editing. The second book in the Magical Mystery Book Club series is my 8th book! Eight books in two years! It’s giving me a bit of whiplash, but I’ve never had so much fun at work in my entire life. I discovered my calling and there’s no end in sight.
About Shifting and Shenanigans
Paige and her adventurous Aunt Glo inherit a country inn from eccentric GeeGee. They pack up and hit the road, arriving at the charming place they both loved since childhood. Finally! They can get into the secret room in the basement that GeeGee kept locked! They discover it’s a wonderful library filled to the brim with mystery books. But more than the room was a secret – it’s a magical place that houses enchanted books. Paige and Glo find themselves smack-dab in the middle of a murder mystery, along with a motley group of book club friends. The club will need to work together to solve the case in order to get out of the book and back to their home.
About Elizabeth Pantley
Wow! Thank you so much for the awesome feature and the kind review. So glad you are enjoying this series! I expect a new book every 2-3 months as the characters are so eager to get rolling on another mystery! : - )
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