The Plaster Does Not have to stay on Forever A Day in the Life of an Author By Kim Vermaak Do you ever feel disconnected? This morning I did.  I completed my normal routine.  Get up, read my bible app, hydrate, eat protein and get down to work, while the children were still asleep. I had committed to writing an article for a new woman’s networking group and had to cover some extra work in for book three of “T he Chronicles of Nadine ” series. I put on some instrumental worship music because listening to songs with lyrics just overwhelms me when I am trying to form my own. But still I felt disconnected.  Then I realised what it was the plaster that I had on my finger. My flying fingertips on the keyboard turns my thoughts into the words that paint pictures in my readers’ minds. It is where sunsets cast their brilliant fiery crimson light over the brilliant green and delicate pattern of leaves of ancient gnarled oaks. Where despair blossoms into hope as th...

I was 15 when I felt afraid.  I knew beyond a doubt that someone had spiked the drink that I had just had.  I had a neighbour who I had popped in to say hello to. He was not there, but a group of friends were. I knew most of them. They were chatting and laughing, and I accepted the refreshment they offered. I did not know about spiked drinks then. But to go from a sober, nervous girl to someone so drunk that I was throwing up made me know something was wrong. It was when I felt fear.  I did not want my parents to know that I was drunk. I went to one bathroom and washed off the mess from my blouse. I thought if I could just let it dry on the balcony, I could go home and not have to answer questions about where I had been and with whom.  That is when he came,  To check if I was all right. He used words to tell me I would have to accept what was coming after all; I was the one without a blouse on.  Many of you will scream, “Foolish girl....

There is some protection in writing during the early hours of the morning.  That is for the protection to others and not to me.  Why do I say this?  Because that is the time that I do the least damage.  You see when I am in writing mode; I become the silent monster. It is the time that I am most likely to snap or say something inappropriate that will flood my body with guilt. My logical calm approach to steering people into a direction that will allow them to consider other people’s opinions evaporates with the steam that my fingers produce on the keyboard. Just this morning we had to get the cats ready for their sterilization appointment. So I did not complete my word count and knew that I would have to expand into normal working hours to meet my target. One of my tribe of fellow authors who has never met the silent monster posted a very endearing image and my critical gene stepped into the arena. Why?  because I was writing a scene in my book that had...

This week something happened that sent fear coursing through my veins.  I felt the physical effects and for a while; I felt unable to function.  It is the kind of  fear that my character King Radolf in the series The Chronicles of Nadine uses to rule his kingdom. While researching the world’s greatest villains, I learned that many of them had something traumatic happen  to them in the past.  One that they processed in a way that made them want to extinguish their own fear and weakness by dominating others.  They feel entitled to the pain they inflict on others.   But true strength lies in learning from our pain.    The question is… will you shrink back or will you learn and grow?   Please share what you have learned from past fears and how you have overcome them? #Christianauthor #medievalfantasy #overcomingfear #medievallife #Christianfantasyauthor #Warriorwomen #girlswithswords #booksonamazon #bo...

Have you ever made a devastating choice?   The one that leaves you crying out, “Oh God, what have I done? “  It is painful watching those we love struggle with life-changing decisions. I have made them. And sometimes my friends have made them. There were when I had to cradle a friend in my arms as I would my children. My heart cried out for them trapped in choices they could never undo. There are some choices that we can patch up and fix. Sometimes we emerge stronger than before.  And sometimes we can only ask for the lesson in our pain.  But what I have come to  realise is that in every painful situation , there can be a purpose. A time to help others who have stumbled along the path. When you have decided out  of fear and regretted it, have to courage to help others make better choices.  The temptation is to cocoon ourselves and pretend it never happened, but reach out and love others when they need it. www . kimvermaak.com https:/...