Nikki Vallance, Local Author on Life After Publication In late 2019, I realised a long term dream of becoming a published author. It took me 9 years to write and three more to get published! (Pivotal went on to reach the 2020 finals of The People’s Book Prize and The Page Turner Awards). I was getting ready to attend book festivals and bookshop author events and reopen my creative writers coached membership group. Everything was looking great for 2020.
got to read my book, which was dedicated to her and my dad. I’m also grateful that we didn’t face any of the awful experiences of those who have lost loved ones during covid restrictions, to be able to visit hospital, hold her hand and tell her how much we loved her and were going to miss her. Essentially to say goodbye, even if she probably couldn’t hear us. I’m grateful for the chance to support my dad and be supported by the rest of my family through the funeral and those early days and weeks of our grief. For all the months since then, going in and out of lockdown, with Dad isolated and grieving alone, shielding due to his age and health conditions, with my son not returning to university after struggling with his studies, my daughter missing her GCSE’s and all the rites of passage that go with completing year 11, there’s been a lot to deal with.
Then, just 6 weeks after the launch and just before Christmas I lost my mum, suddenly and unexpectedly. I am grateful Mum
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But being a glass is half full kind of gal, I knew we’d be Ok. We’d come through it. That there would be a time when I could focus on my books, my coaching business, my motivational speaking career.
