It’s no secret that life has a way of kicking you behind the knees and dropping you face-first in the gravel when you least expect it. And so it happened that while working on the early chapters of my erotic romance novella TEMPTED my husband was diagnosed with a virulent form of a potentially fatal illness. Our lives imploded with the news and everything at our house changed in an instant.
I don’t remember how long it took for me to try to work again. I think my brain simply shut down to anything outside the immediacy of family needs between hospital visits. Eventually, though, I emerged from my stupor of shock and fear and picked up my laptop to revisit my WIP; not expecting to get any real work done. To my surprise, my TEMPTED characters pulled me into their story and immersed me in their world. My raw emotions channeled through their voices, animating them with hope and the amazing power of enduring love. The book’s central theme posed the questions: If technologically restored youth were possible, would you choose it? What if you couldn’t take your lifelong partner with you? Would you choose it then?
I finished TEMPTED and the book was published. My characters enjoyed their Happily Ever After while my husband and I celebrated his miraculous full recovery. Life had pushed our faces in the dirt, then dusted us off with silver-lined gloves and sent us on our way.
In the afterglow of my husband’s stunning return to health I began my paranormal erotic romance novella EROTIC ART. While writing this book, I became filled with renewed vigor and bright-eyed optimism. My characters overcame the wrath of a powerful ghost determined to keep them apart. Love transcended death in the lives of my characters as it had in mine. EROTIC ART also sold to a publisher and remains one of my favorite stories.
What creative lessons have I learned from the life-changing events my husband and I experienced? Deep emotions may at first wound and paralyze, but they can also sharpen creativity as the artistic process heals the troubled soul.
I love TEMPTED and EROTIC ART for entirely different reasons. One book gave me strength in the face of adversity while the other celebrated victory. The emotions I experienced while writing them were equally powerful opposites.
Our Happily Ever After kicked some major butt.
***
TEMPTED On Sale on Amazon Kindle, B&N Nook, and Smashwords! Only .99!
EROTIC ART On Sale on Amazon Kindle! Only .99! Amazon Prime Members Free!
Visit Adele Dubois and read about her books on her website at
www.adeledubois.com/
I found writing to be very theraputic when grieving. I feel like my books were more emotional too.
ReplyDeleteSo happy your husband make a full recovery. I'm sure it was very scary.
Happy New Year Adele. Love the covers.
I'm so glad about your husband's return to health, Adele. How frightening that must have been for you. I love the concept of Erotic Art and the cover - yum!! :)
ReplyDeleteAmber--Yes, it was very scary. The experience upended our worlds. You're right that our emotions are channeled into our work. That can only make our books better.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting!
Best--Adele
Hi Tina!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words. What you said is true.
So glad you like the concept of EROTIC ART. It's a fun book!
Best--Adele
Adele, what a beautiful blog. I'm so glad your husband made a full recovery. I loved Tempted and can certainly relate to the emotion you put into that story. I have Erotic Art in my Kindle and look forward to reading another fabulous book by you. Writing is theraputic for me too. I can lose myself in my story and characters and forget my troubles for a while.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cara. Your comment put tears in my eyes.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy EROTIC ART. Thanks for your support.
Best--Adele
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story of hope and courage. Adversity sometimes has a way of pushing us to what we think are our limits and showing us that we're capable of more. I'd say that was true of you both.
ReplyDeletewhat an amazing and fabulous story, especially the part about your husband's recovery! lovely covers Adele. All the best to you, your family and your continued success.
ReplyDeleteHi Paris--I appreciate your lovely comment. We went through the worst hell for a long time. I'm holding on to the normalcy we're living at this moment.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Best--Adele
Hi Liz--Thank you for your encouraging comment. My husband's return to health is the best thing that's ever happened to us.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like my book covers! (Me too. "))
Best--Adele
Great story, Adele, and it doesn't surprise me. On a personal level, I found my strongest writing kicked in as a result of grief. There's just something about the human spirit that tries to surmount pain in whatever way it can, and I am so glad you had your HEA.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful your husband is well again after that terrifying experience. I'm sure it changed both of you for the better. Great covers....
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your husband is better
ReplyDeleteMiriam--A little birdie told me how you wrote The King's Daughter under difficult circumstances.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful that, right now, things are good.
Thanks so much for stopping by to comment.
Best--Adele
Thanks, Jean. Yes, we have changed for the better. We don't take anything for granted anymore.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like my books covers. ")
Thanks for commenting.
Best--Adele
Hi Abigail-Madison! Good to see you again. Thanks so much for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteBest--Adele
Wow Adele...I'm so thankful your hubby overcame his illness!
ReplyDeleteI agree; writing is great therapy during and after times of emotional stress.
Putting both your books on my TBB list:)