Hiatus

It's been such a very long time since I have posted so much as a whisper about Mr. Sandman. 

Life has a funny way of ebbing and flowing creativity, motivation, and the perseverance to complete a lifelong dream. 

Here and now as I am writing this to you, I am in such a better position to compose and post on a consistent basis than I was three years ago when this book struck me like lightning. It's surreal to think that it's been this long since I gave birth to this idea, nonetheless, have updated all the people who gave this book a chance. Gratitude doesn't begin to cover what I want to say to those who picked it up, commented and liked and added to collections, or even just enjoyed this work in passing. I owe it to you as readers and (dare I say) as friends who support my writing to explain a bit about my absence here. 

I was given the lifechanging opportunity two years ago to care for an ailing relative (not to mention, this someone inspired me as a child and into adulthood to explore and probe and challenge myself and the world around me in a way that changed what I find beautiful and worthwhile, as they let nothing in their life hold them back from doing the same, whether it was professional cooking lessons and tours in the back of a Michelin starred restaurant or getting a pilot's license or a real estate license), who unfortunately we lost less than a year after I happily consented to care for them. I owe it to them to continue on this journey of writing and creating and challenging myself because it's what they would have wanted me to do. They would have wanted me to fail, fail and try again regardless of what avenue of life I chose for myself. It's good to know that my stubborn streak is hereditary. Grief has changed me, but my hope for the future has too. I poured myself into this book at one the darkest points in my life, and when my obligation to my family presented itself in a sad but simultaneously beautiful way, I had no choice but to answer that call. I abandoned what made me happy to do what I knew was right, which changed my entire outlook on life and for the better. I have since gotten my life on a track that will not only be fulfilling in my day to day, but spiritually and creatively as well. In this incredible journey I am grateful to call my life, I am uplifted by the notion that my silly words on a silly screen meant and continue to mean things to people. Today, I have completed cosmetology school as well, and that is my new profession. Writing, however, stands and continues to be my biggest passion. 

I want to again thank all of you who have found this book worth its salt, and I have such exciting news and plans to share with all of you.

As of this morning (I am sitting on my couch, writing this at 12:41 in the morning), I have made the decision (which not all of you may agree with or like), to not only continue writing Mr. Sandman, but to rework what has previously been written as well. I'm not saying that the previous chapters will be gone; as a matter of fact, they will remain here on Webnovel, untouched. From what I have learned in these last few years, mistakes or not our best work shouldn't be forgotten, but rather made to be the best of what they can possibly be. I love the characters and the story unfolding before your eyes and I hope I have done myself the justice of transporting you somewhere else visually from chapter to chapter, invoking not only magical places but emotions as well. From chapter one to chapter twenty-three, I will be posting (probably shortly after this update or "chapter", if you will) a revised version of the work I have previously completed. Think of "Hiatus" as chapter twenty-four, and the rework as chapter twenty-five. Going forward from here, twenty-six and forward will be only what I deem as my highest caliber of writing capacity. I want to provide you, as readers, with what you deserve; the pinnacle of my ability. Some weeks that may mean only one chapter of longer length and other weeks, two or three chapters that are much shorter. I am in the process of obtaining a contract for this book, as well. It's the least this story deserves, none the less those of you who graciously lent me your eyes and ears and brains. 

(For those of you who are wondering, yes, I do have other writing projects and books that will hopefully be added to my page in the months to come.)

Thank you for listening (reading, rather), and I will do my best from here on out to present only the best of myself as an author. 

 With much love and the sweetest of dreams,

Julie