book #3!!
a different vibe
Starting to write a new book felt really daunting this time around. Because honestly? I wrote two books that came pretty easily, when I didn’t have much else going on. I was a single gal with a dream and an open Google Doc, pouring out my heart on to the page. And it was awesome.
Writing is still one of my favorite things in the world, but it’s also gotten more complicated, more nuanced. For the last two years, I’ve focused more on my freelance work, dedicating time to writing and editing for other people. My love of creating and crafting didn’t change, but my focus certainly did. I put my personal writing on the back burner as I built a freelance business and honed my skills. But, a new idea was simmering all this time.
You see, in 2021, I experienced a depression unlike any I had before or since. I lived alone in Arkansas, where I had moved in March 2020, and the world was still pretty shut down. Without a community around me, I spent my days feeling sad and numb. Looking back, it’s scary how low I was. In the moment, I was just surviving. And my faith wavered, because where do you turn when you’re just so defeated, exhausted, empty? Scripture felt overwhelming, self-help books felt unhelpful, and Christian non-fiction felt cheesy. I waded through the fog with the help of therapy, anti-depressants, and worship music. But, looking back, I wish I had had something to encourage my mustard seed of faith that struggled to grow without any sort of nourishment.
Over the years, I thought about how valuable an approachable, warm, but honest devotional would have been for me. A word of encouragement, a prayer, a verse, nothing crazy. My soul so needed truth when I was down in the darkness, but it was too hard to work to find it. So, since I couldn’t find what I needed, I decided to create it. And that’s why my next book is a 100 day devotional for those experiencing depression.
I want so badly for this book to find people who are just like me, their faith feeling dry because their soul is downcast. I’m writing it with past me in mind, approaching her with love and understanding and the truths I wish she would have heard.
It’s a much heavier topic than my previous books, so writing it has already been more challenging. Not difficult, good. But challenging nonetheless. And I remain so very hopeful that my words will find those who need them, those who need a daily reminder to just keep going.
This time around is different, and that’s okay. I’m delving deep, and I’m learning so much as I put my own experience into words. I can’t wait for you to read it, and I’m thankful that you’re along for the journey there. I’m still that girl with a dream and a Google doc, but I’ve seen some things, faced some dark nights of the soul. And, I think it’s only right that my writing reflects that. Book #3? Here we go.
When I wrote my book I had it all outlined in post-it notes on my wall! It’s such a helpful visual for accomplishing a big goal. Congrats on embarking on book #3!
Sounds wonderful. Go, Ellen!