Somehow I missed this when it came out, and it's worse than I could have imagined - SO sorry things have picked up speed as they've rolled downhill! Oh Catherine. If we were all in one place, we'd take turns making tea and hot soup, and just sit with you and not even try to make you feel better (yet). I hope writing it all down was cathartic for your spirit, although the events and their future are still there. The great news is about your book, which as a long-time reader too, I know I'll enjoy, and will be a huge success. Sending best wishes for countless good things in 2025!
No worries, MK - thank you for those lovely words! The irony is that today (Blue Monday would ya believe it) has been an absolute turd of a day... I found out I didn't get an interview for the local p/t job I applied for (despite having all the experience and interests they asked for), then our ceramic hob cracked this morning and needs to be replaced asap, AND I woke up at 5am with leg pain so bad we nearly called an ambulance (I'm pretty sure it's another bout of scatica rearing its ugly head). Maybe I'll just get *20th January* out of the way and then the year can start properly...! x
What a total SHIT of a year it was for you, Catherine. I'm sorry you've had it so rough. Let's hope 2025 brings a heck of a lot more happy times and money! And congrats on the book. It feels good, doesn't it? To have produced a novel. I was chuffed to bits when I completed my first back in 2010, I think it was! I've since written another 12 (more or less) but I've had a break from it the past couple of years however once I'm in the new house, I'm looking forward to being inspired again! If you're looking for some good writing and publishing advice, I can recommend Joanna Penn and her website The Creative Penn (and podcast). I followed it for years and she's full of useful info! Best of luck! I shall look forward to reading it when it comes out!
Thank you Suzy - it's wonderful to know two authors (you and Amber), how lucky am I?! I will most certainly be asking for some advice once I've got the first draft finished ☺️
This year may still be a bit of a slog in terms of finances and emotion, but I'm honestly in the "it can't be as bad as 2024" frame of mind. And thank you for the Joanna Penn recommendation - I've signed up and am starting to work through her material, it seems invaluable from what I've seen so far! Keep fingers crossed for me finishing, the last gaps to be filled are proving to be the hardest 🥴 xx
Oh, Catherine, what a horrible year you've had... I think even one of these things would be almost impossible to deal with for most people , so to have had all of it at once is just awful, and I'm so sorry you've been dealing with it all. As you know, I very much relate to your struggles as a blogger and reinvention as a fiction writer, so if there's anything at all I do in the way of advice etc, you know where I am! And I will definitely be buying your book as soon as it comes out! Here's hoping 2025 is an easier one...
Thank you Amber... weirdly, as the year went on and each thing happened, we didn't realise what a shitshow it was turning out to be: we just got used to crap happening constantly. It became the norm?!! I'm just so glad that year is OVER!
You and I have had very similar career trajectories, and as you know I've always looked up to you and how you've done things... I guess I live my (professional) life in a WWAD (what would Amber do) way! So I'm super inspired by how you've managed to effectively switch careers and I would be SO honoured if you would actually read my book before it came out for some honest feedback. And I will most certainly take you up on your offer for advice! I'll try not to bombard you, but expect a few questions soon...!
Arrgh, I've only just seen this for some reason 🙈 I would absolutely love to read it, but have to be honest and say that I'm really, really struggling for time right now (I've had a friend's script on my computer for literally weeks now and still haven't managed to read it), so I probably wouldn't be able to read it until I'm finished with my current book and (hopefully) have a bit more time! I'm always up for advice, though -- or even just venting about the process, because I do a lot of that too!
Absolutely no problem my lovely... honestly, I should have thought about that before I wrote it, I think I just got carried away and excited at the thought that you might even look at it 🤦♀️!!
I'm often approached about reading novels myself and I've always said I didn't have time, so it's the same for me and I totally understand! I realised that if I want to be a writer I need to read more and although it's in stops and starts, I am doing better and have actually read more in the last six months than I've read in years... you're all amazing so thank you for writing fabulous stories and inspiring me ❤️
I wish you the absolute best with your novel(s) Catherine. You have such a great sense of humor but given the situation I don't know if it will be humorous or serious. Either way, I am glad that you have a creative outlet to help cope with all of the awful, terrible things that were dished out in 2024. I don't believe in sugar coating the truth, so I phrased it that way intentionally. Sometimes life is extremely difficult and the most we can do is muster whatever courage we can find to face each day and keep going, even just baby steps. I know things will eventually get better. I do look forward to reading your novel. Wishing you peace and all good in 2025 (I was going to attempt to convey that in Latin ... pace e bona?)
Thank you so much for the support Liz - yes it's a romcom so definitely funny in places (well I hope so anyway)! It's the most fun I've had work-wise in a long time, I love the story so much and I hope it resonates with people. I'm sure 2025 will be better, here's to a good year ahead! x
So sorry to hear you had such an awful time this year and hope 2025 will prove better. It has been pretty awful here too but I am ok now and looking forward to a ski holiday in January. Take care and be brave xx
Thank you Kay... I presume you're "my" Kay of Galia's Gals? (If you're not you won't know WHAT I'm talking about, don't worry if that's the case!) Hope you're well, so sorry we haven't been in touch, we need to get our chats back up and running. Hope you enjoy the skiing, so glad you're doing it again. Happy 2025 to you xx
Hi Catherine. Yes it’s Kay from Galia’s girls. I was so sorry to hear about your troubles. It’s tough going, especially when you’re short of cash. I list my mum two Christmas’s ago, it’s always so sad but she was 98 and had a good life until a coyote years before. It was a blessed release for her. I have had breast cancer but over that now and just getting fit again. Yes we all need to catch up as a good catch up will do us all good. Hope things improve for you soon. Take care Kay ❤️
Oh goodness Kay, sounds like you’ve been through the wringer too - I’m so glad you’ve beaten the breast cancer though…! Can’t believe it’s two years since you lost your mum 😢, it’s going to be a release for my dad too when it happens. Take care of yourself, I’m sure we’ll all chat soon ❤️❤️ xx
That really is the most awful year. I'm so glad you've discovered your forte as a fiction writer and look forward to seeing the results! Hope 2025 is much kinder to you x
Well, after reading this all I can do is wishing you all the good things for 2025! I am glad you are not planning to give up blogging entirely. Looking forward to your novel!
Oh, and if you ever feel like sharing more about how you came to write a novel and how you actually managed to keep writing and (nearly) finnish it, I would love to learn more about it.
I might do that one day - I've actually quite surprised myself that I've managed to create a whole story when it's something I've been thinking about doing for years. They're definitely right when they say "write what you know", it's made the whole process a lot easier having that in mind! x
I have followed '"not lamb" for years and loved it. You latest news is both sad and joyful (can it be both?) Because you can see positives. Your year of yuk is honest and heartbreaking. I can imagine how awful it must have been (and some aspects still).
I wish you all the best of blessings for the new year, gather love around you. Xxx
"Year of yuk" - that's a very good way of describing it, Sanja...! Honestly, I'll be so glad when it's over, and yes I know 2025 is certainly going to be hard as well but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there'll be light at the end of the tunnel. I know how you've following for years and I truly appreciate it...! x
Oh Catherine my friend, I'm so sorry to read so much hardship for this last year for you. If there is one thing I know it is that you will triumph and be back on your feet. Sending you strength and love and hugs.
Agh Catherine, I am sending you love and a hug... That's a profoundly inadequate response to the year you've had, but I am so sad for you that things have been so shit. And, I hear you re the ageing parents with dementia. And the collapse of earnings. Those have been challenging for me this past year, along with the surgery. On a positive: I am very, very much looking forward to reading your novel, you're a terrific writer, and I am thrilled you already have ideas in the pipeline for more! I'm also in awe of your ability to write a whole work of fiction! Sending wishes for enough successes and moments of happiness to help you cope with what you know also lies in store next year xx
Oh Lizzie I'm so sorry you've also had a hard year... it's always astonishing how everything happens at once, isn't it?! Thanks so much for the support, I've really loved writing this book and can't wait to finish it (the "finishing" is taking so long compared to the main part of writing it)!! Wishing you a good 2025 too, thanks again x
Not sure I've got enough positive things to balance what you've gone through this year! However I just want to say I love your writing style and am so excited for your book!
My year hasn't had family illness to contend with but job losses for my daughter and my partner. The knock on effect- my 23 year old daughter has moved back in with me after 4 years living on her own. Trying to fit her furniture and belongings into my tiny house has been somewhat interesting! There's been lots of hiring of vans and storage units and the house is still full to the brim! We're now trying to get used to living together amicably and I've put on hold selling my house to move to a new area with my boyfriend.
Still can't think of any positives to add which is concerning!
Wishing you a much happier new year filled with your own positives!
Olivia thank you - I'm excited about the book too...!
I'm so sorry to hear about your crappy year, job losses are a huge stress and new living arrangements can be too, I moved back with my parents twice in my 20s and it was verrrrry stressful for us all (but in a way I have fond memories of that time so it wasn't at ALL bad). I hope things settle for you and that good things come your way in 2025, much love and thank you again! xx
Somehow I missed this when it came out, and it's worse than I could have imagined - SO sorry things have picked up speed as they've rolled downhill! Oh Catherine. If we were all in one place, we'd take turns making tea and hot soup, and just sit with you and not even try to make you feel better (yet). I hope writing it all down was cathartic for your spirit, although the events and their future are still there. The great news is about your book, which as a long-time reader too, I know I'll enjoy, and will be a huge success. Sending best wishes for countless good things in 2025!
No worries, MK - thank you for those lovely words! The irony is that today (Blue Monday would ya believe it) has been an absolute turd of a day... I found out I didn't get an interview for the local p/t job I applied for (despite having all the experience and interests they asked for), then our ceramic hob cracked this morning and needs to be replaced asap, AND I woke up at 5am with leg pain so bad we nearly called an ambulance (I'm pretty sure it's another bout of scatica rearing its ugly head). Maybe I'll just get *20th January* out of the way and then the year can start properly...! x
I really hope 2025 is a much better year for you, Catherine 🥰
Thank you Sharon my lovely - I'm determined to make it better, I can't possibly have a worse year than '24...! x
What a total SHIT of a year it was for you, Catherine. I'm sorry you've had it so rough. Let's hope 2025 brings a heck of a lot more happy times and money! And congrats on the book. It feels good, doesn't it? To have produced a novel. I was chuffed to bits when I completed my first back in 2010, I think it was! I've since written another 12 (more or less) but I've had a break from it the past couple of years however once I'm in the new house, I'm looking forward to being inspired again! If you're looking for some good writing and publishing advice, I can recommend Joanna Penn and her website The Creative Penn (and podcast). I followed it for years and she's full of useful info! Best of luck! I shall look forward to reading it when it comes out!
Big hugs
Suzy xx
Thank you Suzy - it's wonderful to know two authors (you and Amber), how lucky am I?! I will most certainly be asking for some advice once I've got the first draft finished ☺️
This year may still be a bit of a slog in terms of finances and emotion, but I'm honestly in the "it can't be as bad as 2024" frame of mind. And thank you for the Joanna Penn recommendation - I've signed up and am starting to work through her material, it seems invaluable from what I've seen so far! Keep fingers crossed for me finishing, the last gaps to be filled are proving to be the hardest 🥴 xx
Everything is crossed! But you got this!! xx
Oh, Catherine, what a horrible year you've had... I think even one of these things would be almost impossible to deal with for most people , so to have had all of it at once is just awful, and I'm so sorry you've been dealing with it all. As you know, I very much relate to your struggles as a blogger and reinvention as a fiction writer, so if there's anything at all I do in the way of advice etc, you know where I am! And I will definitely be buying your book as soon as it comes out! Here's hoping 2025 is an easier one...
Thank you Amber... weirdly, as the year went on and each thing happened, we didn't realise what a shitshow it was turning out to be: we just got used to crap happening constantly. It became the norm?!! I'm just so glad that year is OVER!
You and I have had very similar career trajectories, and as you know I've always looked up to you and how you've done things... I guess I live my (professional) life in a WWAD (what would Amber do) way! So I'm super inspired by how you've managed to effectively switch careers and I would be SO honoured if you would actually read my book before it came out for some honest feedback. And I will most certainly take you up on your offer for advice! I'll try not to bombard you, but expect a few questions soon...!
C xx
Arrgh, I've only just seen this for some reason 🙈 I would absolutely love to read it, but have to be honest and say that I'm really, really struggling for time right now (I've had a friend's script on my computer for literally weeks now and still haven't managed to read it), so I probably wouldn't be able to read it until I'm finished with my current book and (hopefully) have a bit more time! I'm always up for advice, though -- or even just venting about the process, because I do a lot of that too!
Absolutely no problem my lovely... honestly, I should have thought about that before I wrote it, I think I just got carried away and excited at the thought that you might even look at it 🤦♀️!!
I'm often approached about reading novels myself and I've always said I didn't have time, so it's the same for me and I totally understand! I realised that if I want to be a writer I need to read more and although it's in stops and starts, I am doing better and have actually read more in the last six months than I've read in years... you're all amazing so thank you for writing fabulous stories and inspiring me ❤️
So sorry to hear of your shockingly bad 2024. Mine was 2020 but enough said of that. Wishing you all the very best for a serene 2025 xx
That's so kind of you, thanks Christine xx
I wish you the absolute best with your novel(s) Catherine. You have such a great sense of humor but given the situation I don't know if it will be humorous or serious. Either way, I am glad that you have a creative outlet to help cope with all of the awful, terrible things that were dished out in 2024. I don't believe in sugar coating the truth, so I phrased it that way intentionally. Sometimes life is extremely difficult and the most we can do is muster whatever courage we can find to face each day and keep going, even just baby steps. I know things will eventually get better. I do look forward to reading your novel. Wishing you peace and all good in 2025 (I was going to attempt to convey that in Latin ... pace e bona?)
Thank you so much for the support Liz - yes it's a romcom so definitely funny in places (well I hope so anyway)! It's the most fun I've had work-wise in a long time, I love the story so much and I hope it resonates with people. I'm sure 2025 will be better, here's to a good year ahead! x
So sorry to hear you had such an awful time this year and hope 2025 will prove better. It has been pretty awful here too but I am ok now and looking forward to a ski holiday in January. Take care and be brave xx
Thank you Kay... I presume you're "my" Kay of Galia's Gals? (If you're not you won't know WHAT I'm talking about, don't worry if that's the case!) Hope you're well, so sorry we haven't been in touch, we need to get our chats back up and running. Hope you enjoy the skiing, so glad you're doing it again. Happy 2025 to you xx
Hi Catherine. Yes it’s Kay from Galia’s girls. I was so sorry to hear about your troubles. It’s tough going, especially when you’re short of cash. I list my mum two Christmas’s ago, it’s always so sad but she was 98 and had a good life until a coyote years before. It was a blessed release for her. I have had breast cancer but over that now and just getting fit again. Yes we all need to catch up as a good catch up will do us all good. Hope things improve for you soon. Take care Kay ❤️
I'm sorry about your mum, Kay, but I just HAVE to ask about the coyote?!?!
Couple. Bloody autocorrect
Oh goodness Kay, sounds like you’ve been through the wringer too - I’m so glad you’ve beaten the breast cancer though…! Can’t believe it’s two years since you lost your mum 😢, it’s going to be a release for my dad too when it happens. Take care of yourself, I’m sure we’ll all chat soon ❤️❤️ xx
That really is the most awful year. I'm so glad you've discovered your forte as a fiction writer and look forward to seeing the results! Hope 2025 is much kinder to you x
Aww thank you Gail - I honestly can't wait to finish it and get it out there! Wishing you a happy 2025 too x
Well, after reading this all I can do is wishing you all the good things for 2025! I am glad you are not planning to give up blogging entirely. Looking forward to your novel!
Thank you Frieda!
Oh, and if you ever feel like sharing more about how you came to write a novel and how you actually managed to keep writing and (nearly) finnish it, I would love to learn more about it.
I might do that one day - I've actually quite surprised myself that I've managed to create a whole story when it's something I've been thinking about doing for years. They're definitely right when they say "write what you know", it's made the whole process a lot easier having that in mind! x
Hi Catherine.
I have followed '"not lamb" for years and loved it. You latest news is both sad and joyful (can it be both?) Because you can see positives. Your year of yuk is honest and heartbreaking. I can imagine how awful it must have been (and some aspects still).
I wish you all the best of blessings for the new year, gather love around you. Xxx
"Year of yuk" - that's a very good way of describing it, Sanja...! Honestly, I'll be so glad when it's over, and yes I know 2025 is certainly going to be hard as well but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there'll be light at the end of the tunnel. I know how you've following for years and I truly appreciate it...! x
Oh Catherine my friend, I'm so sorry to read so much hardship for this last year for you. If there is one thing I know it is that you will triumph and be back on your feet. Sending you strength and love and hugs.
Oh bless you Lisa, thank you... I so wish you were closer so I could actually afford to come and see you!! Soon I hope, it's been too long xx
Hoping the 2025 is better for you and your novel gets picked up.
Thank you so much Patrick - I'm going to self-publish initially but who knows where things might lead...? Fingers crossed :D
Agh Catherine, I am sending you love and a hug... That's a profoundly inadequate response to the year you've had, but I am so sad for you that things have been so shit. And, I hear you re the ageing parents with dementia. And the collapse of earnings. Those have been challenging for me this past year, along with the surgery. On a positive: I am very, very much looking forward to reading your novel, you're a terrific writer, and I am thrilled you already have ideas in the pipeline for more! I'm also in awe of your ability to write a whole work of fiction! Sending wishes for enough successes and moments of happiness to help you cope with what you know also lies in store next year xx
Oh Lizzie I'm so sorry you've also had a hard year... it's always astonishing how everything happens at once, isn't it?! Thanks so much for the support, I've really loved writing this book and can't wait to finish it (the "finishing" is taking so long compared to the main part of writing it)!! Wishing you a good 2025 too, thanks again x
Not sure I've got enough positive things to balance what you've gone through this year! However I just want to say I love your writing style and am so excited for your book!
My year hasn't had family illness to contend with but job losses for my daughter and my partner. The knock on effect- my 23 year old daughter has moved back in with me after 4 years living on her own. Trying to fit her furniture and belongings into my tiny house has been somewhat interesting! There's been lots of hiring of vans and storage units and the house is still full to the brim! We're now trying to get used to living together amicably and I've put on hold selling my house to move to a new area with my boyfriend.
Still can't think of any positives to add which is concerning!
Wishing you a much happier new year filled with your own positives!
Olivia thank you - I'm excited about the book too...!
I'm so sorry to hear about your crappy year, job losses are a huge stress and new living arrangements can be too, I moved back with my parents twice in my 20s and it was verrrrry stressful for us all (but in a way I have fond memories of that time so it wasn't at ALL bad). I hope things settle for you and that good things come your way in 2025, much love and thank you again! xx