Today I celebrate reaching over 50,000 views on this blog, with over 24,000 visitors!
This is my second major blog. My first, Midlife Crisis Queen, racked up hundreds of thousands of loyal followers from all over the world in its eight years of existence. However, I did not stay in crisis for long. Soon after I realized it was up to me to wield my own power in transforming myself and my life, I quickly moved from chaos and crisis, discovering an amazing array of new opportunities, not previously identified. My books are a summary of how I changed everything in my world.
The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe and how you see the world…
But, as most of my sister writers know, it isn’t easy to believe in yourself and your craft, when we so rarely hear back from our readers. Blogging and book selling has become so impersonal these days. The evil empire, Amazon, basically owns our business. We often sell books and never know what our readers think of them. I have found that to be so frustrating through the years!
Most do not relate to the experience of writing first blog posts and then books for over ten years, and so rarely hearing anything back. Yes, I love what I do and I would do it no matter what, but the occasional “your book changed my life!” soothes my soul. That is why I cried when I received the most fantastic fan letter this week. He started out by ordering my new memoir, and loved it so much, he then ordered my other books.
My 2011 book: Find Your Reason to Be Here: The Search for Meaning in Midlife inspired him to write me a long letter about how that book changed his life. Here’s an excerpt:
“For the first time in literally decades, I finally found an author who really “speaks” to the core of who I am as a person; who I not only identify with, but who I strongly identify with. Beginning with your need to flee Fort Collins’ frantic “retirement haven” pace to your craving for silence…YES! Me too! Before I even finished “From Suburbia…”, I was online ordering your other 3 books. “Find Your Reason To Be Here” was a HUGE wake up call to me. I’ve found it to be far, far more helpful and truthful than ANY of the other books I’ve read that purport to help one find one’s purpose in life. Thank you!”
“We read to know we are not alone.” — C. S. Lewis
This man has read most contemporary titles on midlife and finding your life’s purpose, and he found my book to be more useful than those by Marianne Williamson and other famous writers.
He now likes to hand my books out to friends and family who are suffering from midlife angst, which brings me to the true reason for his letter. He wanted to order more copies directly from me. This is how I prefer to sell books now, to people I might be able to build relationships with, instead of impersonal internet sales. I think it is good for readers to know that there is a genuine human being behind every line in my blog posts or books, one who would love to know if their writing is impacting your life.
So the next time you read something that moves you, why not send the author a note letting them know that their efforts have made a real difference in your world?
Any interest in learning more about midlife change, or purchasing my books? I’d love to hear from you! Please drop me a line at: MidlifeCrisisQueen@gmail.com
Adventures of the NEW Old Farts 
Hi Laura,
I came by to congratulate you. Impressive stats! Congratulations, truly.
As far as the fan letter. Congratulations on that as well. How exciting for you. So many people never get that. It truly motivates. Thanks for using your fan letter as an inspiration for others.
Janice
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You are quite welcome Janice. I wish all of us could hear back from our fans more often!
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Wow, congratulations. What a wonderful testament that you are touching people and your readers are advocating on your behalf, to help yourself, to be enlightened, to identify!
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Yes Haralee, it is these brief moments of certainty that what we do does matter, that helps us keep on going!
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Congratulations!!! You rock!
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Thanks Michelle! I love your raw honesty in your writing! You must be a kick to know in person!
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How fantastic! Doing well by doing good! It is wonderful to be able to help others heal. It is nourishing to the soul.
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Exactly Ellen, as you well know! Thank you for helping women with their healthcare decision…
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I literally cry sometimes when a person post a comment on my blog….it takes but a minute to do this, but it means so much to us…the writer, the person behind the blog, the book, whatever we write…and so to you my friend…my comment..I love your blog…and try to comment weekly…I have yet to read one of your books, but I promise I will… ❤
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Yes you hellion! When did we ever get so LAZY? Exactly how hard is it to read a few paragraphs and then respond in some intelligent way? I cannot believe it took me over ten years to receive such a thorough response to my efforts. But we will continue because we love what we do 🙂
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Yes we will! And yes we do!
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I am so glad you are getting such wonderful feedback. I love and resonate with your writing!
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Thanks! I hope you are doing well also!
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I let my blog lay fallow on the internet for about a year. Then I realized I was pursuing some wrong things in midlife, and that I just missed the relationships I had formed on Encore Voyage. And now I’m back. So, here’s my question to you. Which of your books should I read first? Which would be your FAVE? Thanks! ~ Lynn
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Welcome Lynn! Overall, I would recommend “Find your reason to be here” to answer most questions you might have about the history and mystery of midlife, unless you’re older and thinking about some major change around retirement. My new memoir is about the trauma and long-term happiness that can come from changing everything after 60. “How to believe in love again” is a guidebook to changing your feelings and attitudes about love after heartache… Does that answer your questions? Please allow me to supply your paperbacks. Most of my paper books are no longer available through Amazon. They keep stealing all my profits!
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Congratulations and thanks for the inspiration!
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