It’s now March, and it’s been a struggle of a year for me so far. I’ve certainly not gotten as far as I’d like editing Space Cat (working on chapter 6 out of 20), and a few things in life have taken a back seat due to health issues.

The novel focuses on the human aspect of space, rather than the science. While that’s a very important part of the realism, making the characters alive and believable is my top priority.  In the previews you have been able to read, you get a glimpse of the baseline of a few of the main characters. Leah is very laid back, Markus is excitable, Ravi is a natural born leader. They’re distinct. In the parts you have yet to see, I begin to dig much deeper into who they are, and am continuing to do so. Humans are complex, and deal with significant life events differently. A major event indeed does happen in Space Cat and affects Leah profoundly. With this, I have had to take a step back and look at my own life from the outside in order to convey what happens to Leah. 

9 years ago, I come down with a panic and anxiety disorder. Looking back, the very primal fear I felt during those times has had a significant impact on my personal life, and my creative life. While I continue to struggle with anxiety, and now minor depression, I’ve taken those past experiences, and channeled them into my writing and other creative outlets. As much as I don’t want to have this anxiety, I have taken to using it in what I enjoy, which helps me cope. When reading Space Cat I am of the hope that people will be able to understand the feeling of anxiety and panic I have tried to convey from my experiences, to sympathize, and to engage with the characters overcoming the struggles presented in the story.

Back to the present, I am pleased to confirm I am working to fix my 9 years of anxiety. It is a great relief to finally be on what feels like the road to recovery. I suffered with the issue of not thinking it was worth seeking help, which is the worst thing I could do. I urge anyone with anxiety not to leave it as long as I did to seek help. I wish I had found it sooner, as I can already feel a little bit of peace of mind creeping in.

With the beginning of recovery, I hope that Space Cat will be fully edited by the summer, and that I can get it on the road to being published!

Best Wishes,

Sammy