What makes life difficult for this writer?

I’m now into the last phase of my chemo and looking ahead to the days when it will be just a bad memory. In two weeks’ time my specialist will let me know what progress has been made. Progress in many things is often difficult to find, and none more so than persuading book readers to buy my books. I am currently promoting ROSELLI’S GOLD with Kindle Direct Publishing, and have noticed a marginal increase in the daily sales. Curiously though, the sales of NORTH SLOPE and SHADOW OF THE WOLF still continue to outsell my other titles. This isn’t about advertising or a promotion push, I believe, but simply getting good reviews. Or maybe it’s the genre? I like to think good writing and storytelling is the reason readers download my work. I have just about given up working on my current MS, mainly because of the upheaval in our lives caused by our pending house sale and move into temporary accommodation, plus the trauma of undergoing months of chemo. I tell myself that I will pick up the pen again, but I can’t see that happening for a few weeks yet. Some people will say this is “writer’s block” and that I should work through it. That’s something I understand, and I have read articles recently on the web by Stephen King and David Baldacci on how they cope with it and work on through it. For me though this is more about my physical condition rather than my lack of effort and willpower: when I apply my brain, nothing happens.

Another project I have been working on, and having fun in a peculiar way, is building a new website. My son, Terry, who designs my book jackets and manages my main site, has produced something for me to get my teeth into using WordPress. For me that means a huge learning curve, but once I get the hang of it, and I have managed to add two titles to the main page so far, the whole thing will be hooked into my main website and become the “new” one. This is all a precursor to when I take on my own titles, currently managed by Acclaimed Books Ltd., once we have moved back to the UK. I have no issue with Acclaimed Books; in fact, quite the opposite. I have enjoyed working with Peter Lihou (CEO) over the years and have every respect for his integrity and abilities. But now, as I get closer to my mid-seventies, I feel I want to take control of my work. On the down side; once this happens and my books are de-listed by AB.c, I will lose all my reviews once the books go on Amazon with me as the publisher. But as it’s my decision, it’s something I have to put up with. It just means a new round of promotions and free giveaways. Wish me luck!