Welcome to my Second Acts Series!
Today, we have Wild Rose Press author Ashantay Peters chatting about her multi-act life and her latest release, Déjà Vu All Over Again.
Here’s Ashantay!
I’m one of those women who has reinvented herself over and over. For example, in high school I worked part-time in retail, after graduation I moved to office clerk and then to secretary. I didn’t begin college until I was in my early thirties, working full-time while taking a full class load. No, I wasn’t crazy, but I often felt like I was losing my mind!
After college, I entered the HR field, and I spent most of the rest of my professional life hiring, firing, and talking benefits and payroll. Well, except for a stint in risk management. And I did shift from corporate to government then back to corporate again. And ran a retail store in the middle there, somewhere. Oh, and managed a small transit system.
I didn’t plan to jump around so much, but as John Lennon said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”
Now that I’m retired, I wonder not how I got everything done, but why I pushed so hard. Retirement has meant a huge reduction in available income, but I find that many of the things I “needed” have fallen away. So too the activities that “had” to be done.
And, bonus – I get to use life experiences in my books. That boss no one likes? Killed him off in book four. The best friend who wasn’t – book two. And then there’s the woman who regrets that her first marriage failed – and wishes she could have a do over. Book six. We all have stories, right?
All that being said, I’d advise anyone planning to retire soon to examine your life now. If an event or activity doesn’t bring you joy, maybe it’s time to let that stuff go. Have you always wanted to travel somewhere? Don’t wait! Go now! But most important, indulge your passion. Live your dreams.
As Lewis Carroll wrote in Alice in Wonderland, “I knew who I was this morning, but I’ve changed a few times since then.” Embrace change. Accept life.
Blurb
Rock star Jack Reed has secrets. He’s kept his first marriage to a girl he met at Woodstock, and their son, under wraps for decades. Now his child has tracked him down wanting answers. Former hippie Sally Ford never fully recovered from Jack’s betrayal of their family. She believes he put his career first then and will again, leading to another shattered ending. Jack and Sally’s first meeting is combustible. Can they confront their past and overcome a history of deceit and manipulation to find peace and love?
Bio
Ashantay Peters loves escaping into a well-written book. Her reading addiction also has her perusing magazines, newspapers, Internet articles and even food labels. The last is often feebly excused as an attempt to maintain health, but her friends know the truth.
She lives in the mountains of western North Carolina, a happy transplant from the much colder (and flatter) Midwest. She loves to hear from readers! Give her a holler via her blog and she’ll get back with you as soon as she comes in from gardening or takes a break from writing her next book. You have her solemn promise that she will not stalk you.
Where to find Ashantay…
Website | Blog | Amazon | Twitter
Joanne here!
Ashantay, thanks for sharing your varied experiences and excellent advice. Best of luck with all your literary endeavors.
Joanne Guidoccio 
Pingback: Sharing Second Act Wisdom |
Ashantay, what a lot of great comments you got! A wonderful blurb, too, had to buy the book, reminds me a lot of my TWRP book, “To Dance Again,” about second chances at love with a grown child, too. And I thought I’d moved jobs around a lot! I think you have me beaten on that, as well. Yes, the Woodstock Generation is awesome and has a lot of creative power to this day. That’s why you still hear our music played all over the place. And your outlook on life is so wonderful, too. Thoroughly enjoyed this blog. Want to know where you got your unusual name. I also have an unusual name. Hmmm, lots of parallels here, like another commenter mentioned.
Hi, Hebby – thanks so much for buying my book! I hope you enjoy the read. I will definitely check out your novel, as well. Love those second chance stories. And finding things in common with others – that’s gotta be what I love most!
Reblogged this on NEVA BROWN & BOOKS.
A multitude of thanks, Neva Brown!
Hi Ashanty and Joanne – So interesting to see your life path. Mine was so similar. Interesting isn’t it how many of us of this generation ended up writing! Love your story about Woodstock and looking forward to reading it.
Thanks, Mahrie! Yes, the Woodstock Generation (I like that SO much better than Baby Boomer) seems exceptionally creative. What fun for us! Sure gave me a different outlook on life.
Ashantay, interesting views and story. I think by the time you get to a certain age, most of us have reinvented ourselves several times. Thanks for sharing your reinventions.
I agree – the days of working at one thing for all one’s life is gone for many of us. Thanks for your observation!
Hi, Ashantay and Joanne!!! I’m with you Ashantay, I’ve worked multiple jobs, too and it’s great fodder for stories. Happy Monday!
Sure is, Vicki – especially when mixed with humor – :>)
Lovely post. And the blurb reminds me of how much I like second chance stories. Best of luck with it, Ashantay~!
Thanks for stopping by, Barbara!
I’ve learned to enjoy life as it comes. You never know what’s around the corner.
Absolutely true, Ilona – thanks for your comment.
I love that life is such an adventure, never more so than since retirement. I loved Deja Vu All Over Again, too!
Oh, Thank You, THANK YOU!!
I often wish I’d started writing fiction years ago when I was much younger. But I’m not sure I would have had the time, the confidence or the life experiences to write back then. The great thing about approaching retirement is that you’ve probably gained all three.
Jana, you are so right. I began writing in my twenties and knew I needed more experience before I could relate the stories important to me. Thanks for your comment!
Ashantay, great post! I’m immediately going to take your advice about letting go of activities I don’t enjoy. Like doing the dishes. And the laundry. I think I’ll read your latest book instead…
Or cleaning the bathroom – argh – always have to work myself up for that one – thanks for giving me a laugh today!
Thank you for inviting me to your blog today. I hope everyone who stops by has a wonderful Monday!