About 5 years ago I separated from my husband. At the time, I was writing 2 full-length novels a year and loving my writing life. It's relevant to note that I write contemporary romance. You may see where this is heading.

In the midst of my divorce, I had a sixth book in a series due to my long-time editor and so, because I'm a #1 Achiever, I wrote the damn book. Even though I cried myself to sleep, was stressed out about finances and had two young children to try to help through the separation as well.

My editor sent the book back with one note.

"Are you okay?"

No. No I wasn't. How was I supposed to write happy love stories when I was angry. About so many things. But most of all about my marriage failing.

I rewrote the book and then took a bit of time off. I came back 6 months later and punched out 2 more novels over the next 2 years. But something was happening. My efforts were slowing down. It was official. I was in burnout.

I went deeply into therapy. And I made some major shifts in my work. I ramped up this side of my life because email consulting doesn't require me to be emotionally connected to the content. And this business flourished like I'd never imagined it could and I LOVE it.

And so in my writing, I made a shift. I wrote when I felt like it and I wrote short stories. I participated in a few collaborative projects and then I noticed something last summer. I could not find joy in writing. I didn't ever want to write. It was feeling like a major chore. So, I decided to do the one thing my #1 Achiever had been dreading, but my #3 Futuristic self knew needed to be done. I gave myself the permission to stop writing and just see what happened.

I stopped all my ads. All my content. But the big one I had a lot of trouble coming to terms with was stopping my emails. They were my babies. And I also felt that if I wasn't running incredible email campaigns, how would this side of business take me seriously?

But on Dec 31 I wrote my last 'sales' email for my pen name Holly Mortimer. And then I let out a deep breath and took some time off.

Then one day in February I woke up on a Saturday and decided I was going to go work in my favourite coffee shop. I'm friends with the owner and when I walked in, she asked me if I'd come in to write. I froze. Because I hadn't. But instead, I said yes, I was there to write.

I got my latte and my donut and sat down and stared at a blank page and then a small voice whispered, write the story you want to write.

And it all came back to me and I wrote. BUT it was different. It was dark. It was scary. It was angsty. It was paranormal. It was everything I loved getting lost in when I read but never thought I could write. But at that moment, I didn't care. I just wrote because I'd been dreaming of this character for what felt like forever.

But let's bring this alllll the way back to emails. I was paying a lot for a list that wasn't getting served. I still had all my automations in place and people were trickling in, but I wasn't emailing them weekly anymore. I needed a new strategy and I needed it stat.

But like my writing, I gave myself permission to just let it all go. So, I wrote my list and told them exactly what I have just outlined for you. And then I said, do you want to stay and wait for updates until I have my shit together again or would you like to peace out and exit?

To my utter shock, I had a huge click action for those who wanted to stay. Like around 1000 people, a few who left and a lot who didn't respond at all. Here's what I'm planning.

1. The most important thing is to continue writing without pressure, so I am writing.
2. I will try to send emails no less than once per month and they're just going to be new pen name/book updates. (Oh yes, I also built myself a new pen name for this new genre.)
3. When I get my writing strategy totally figured out and close to re-entering the writer's world again, I'll reign it back in and start sending 2 emails each month, but I'm giving myself a year to get there. Yup, a year. Because what's the point of writing if it doesn't bring me joy? I can market the heck out of it, but loving writing that book bleeds through the paper. So, no time pressures.
4. I'm letting my automations live on. They're still actively welcoming new readers and moving them through my sequences, so here's a plug for automations when it's all going to shit. They are a life and revenue saver.
5. I'm letting this side of my business (email marketing consulting) go hog wild. I'm loving meeting you and growing and serving, so let's do this!

So, that's my email story. It started out making me feel tons of shame but I've worked through that. If you're in the same boat, you can come back from a break. It's not easy but who said running this business was? But it's totally doable. What I don't want you to feel is any shame with stepping away whether it's forever or just until it feels right to come back.

Want to hang with me and get your email systems working hard for you? There are a few options:

1. ​Book an audit where I'll give you back a LOT of ways to grow.
2. Hire me to write your sequences.
3. Book a 50-minute consult and see where it takes you.

Simply hit reply to get started or head to my Learning Centre to check out my courses. They are all getting refreshes this year and some already have theirs!

Happy emailing,

Holly