Hi, Readers~
So I have been working hard at revamping the site, and while it's not entirely done yet, I'm pretty happy the way things are going.
Many of you know that I am also a teacher in Korea and I've recently been promoted to researching and developing curriculum for our higher level students--we're reading books like Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Bronte's Jane Eyre. Aside from developing curriculum and teaching, I have been editing two novels for my students that I've taught.
Editing my own writing is incredibly daunting but equally necessary--but editing someone else's work has taken a lot of my time too. Happily, all that is finished and I can focus back on my own writing. If you have an editor, make sure you tell them how much you appreciate them. If you know an editor, buy him or her a coffee/tea. They often go unappreciated.
As for my own writing, I've been putting the finishing touches on a final scene for my second book while still writing my third book. It's been a pretty painful process as things have been so busy, but things are moving along now.
The final update I have for you is that for the past five weeks I have been volunteering for a group called Stella Foundation who are working to end the stigma of suicide and depression in Korea. This is an issue that is very close to my hear. The World Health Organization says that over 300 million people of all ages suffer from depression all over the world. So the chances of you knowing someone with depression, affected by depression, or you've been depressed yourself. Mental health awareness is something that is very near and dear to my heart and one of the reasons that I feel I have been called to be a writer--to let people know that they are not alone. When you're alone, that's when the darkness creeps in--telling you-you're not good enough. And suddenly you're sitting alone in a movie theatre where there is a reel tape of every mistake you've ever made being played on repeat. So if you can be a light to someone, be a light. If you need a light, remember that it's okay to ask for one. And it's okay not to be okay.
As far as what I'm currently reading, I'm reading Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. I am not too far into it, but man is he ever a storyteller. I have wanted to read his work for a while, and when I was in the bookstore a few weeks ago, I decided to pick it up.
That's all, for now, ~ I'll update you on the release date of my first novel as soon as I know!
Love & Light,
CM