Proud Rancher, Precious Bundle - Write What You Know

We're pleased to have Donna Alward's very special blog post below discussing her new book Proud Rancher, Precious Bundle here at Romance HQ....the latest fantastic Book of the Month!

As an aspiring writer, I was often told “write what you know”. I think a lot of times that translates into write in a way that’s true to your “voice”, not necessarily always staying within your own experiences. Sometime sit’s something that has happened to family, or friends, or a news story you’ve seen that twigs an idea. One thing I quickly learned is that everything is fodder for story material! I’m sure my friends and family shudder when I say that!

But every now and again something from your own life pops upand you find yourself building a story around it. And that’s true with Proud Rancher, Precious Bundle. I first got the idea for a doorstep baby story, and I knew I didn’t want the hero, Wyatt, to be the daddy. So whose baby was it? And what would cause a mother to leave her precious child on the doorstep of another?

And then I knew. It was the only thing that made sense tome. I knew that baby Darcy’s mum, Barbara, was in trouble, and that Wyatt was the only person she could think of to turn to. I knew that she was suffering from Postpartum Depression (PPD).

The book isn’t about PPD; it’s about Wyatt and his upbringing, and Elli and her troubles, and how caringfor Darcy brings them together. Barbara’s illness is simply the vehicle that provides the opportunity for these two damaged people to come together and healand of course, fall in love! But the parts that are in the book – Barbara’s admission to hospital, her medical follow up, the long road she has ahead ofher and the acceptance and support she receives from Wyatt – those parts Iknow. Because I went through it.  Luckily for me I had a wonderful husband by my side and my hospital trip was a shortone. Like Barbara, I knew I needed help. I knew I wasn’t feeling like myself. I was, thankfully, never at a point like Barbara where I would have left my child, but I wasn’t coping very well. I couldn’t do it alone.

It feels a little odd revealing that, but it’s something that so many new mums go through and something that thankfully is being talked about more and more these days. I truly believe there is no shame to be found in asking for help – only strength.

Like my stories, I too had a happy ending and sooner rather than later. As I said – I had (and still have, it’s our 15thanniversary this month!) a wonderful husband who was there for me and for our kids. I had a great physician who kept me on track. It took a while, and it was difficult, but I learned a whole lot about myself during those first months and I know I grew. And perhaps the most life-changing thing of all was that Ilearned that it was okay to indulge myself. To do something just for “me”. One of those things was sitting at our old computer and writing a book. It was“therapy” – but it made me remember the dreams I’d had years before and I was hooked.

It created a love affair with writing Romance, and the certainty that this is what I wanted to do as a career. It took nearly five years and many rejected manuscripts, but here I am – celebrating my tenth Mills & Boon Romance with you. Ten feels like a lovely number!

Having Proud Rancher,Precious Bundle as the Book of the Month is truly the icing on the cake. Thanks for popping in and helping me celebrate!