Update: I'm Going Dark

Hey everyone,

Honesty time.

In September, just a few weeks before my second edition released, we had an unexpected-but-not-surprising death in the family. It was a sad, long road with the relative's decline since their spouse passed a few years back. Honestly, they kind of died of a broken heart. All responsibility is on our shoulders for final wishes, estate stuff, and a sweet little cat who has outlived both owners and several cat siblings. We're loving on him, but it's still really, really sad. Thankfully, one of my adult kids has bonded with him and we won't have to force the poor baby to move from the only home he's ever known.

In addition, I took on a full-time caregiver role for another close relative living with Alzheimer's, who moved in with us in October. I kid you not, we had an empty nest for one night.

The fall out from everything is that I've also had to make some professional decisions that I don't necessarily want to make. I've given my notice that I'm parting ways with my publisher, agent, and I've paused any notions of series development for screen. I've discontinued consulting on screenplays and coaching other writers. Believe me when I say some colleagues and clients have been kind, others... not so much. It's been eye opening.

I need to prioritize my own mental and physical health for the foreseeable future, so I'm "going dark" on my blog posts and  social media. It's probably going to hurt my engagement, but life is complicated right now and it is what it is.

What I'm certain about is this:
1. I will not borrow my own energy to "people please" until I'm burned out again. I will not abandon myself in order to keep colleagues or the algorithms happy.
2. I am committed that WHEN I return, my professional relationships/connections will be authentic and reciprocal or they will be shown the door. 

Thank you for your support on my journey. It means alot, especially now. I'll be back, I promise.

Sadie