My Novel Snags a Finalist Award & I’ll take it! SweetSpot: Now and Then
My sincere thanks to the 2026 American Legacy Book Awards for this recognition of my novel, SweetSpot: Now and Then, which delves into the struggles and emotions of a middle-aged woman. In 1999, conversations about the inevitable loss of youth and the resulting uncertainty were rare among women. The prevailing expectation was for women to gradually fade into the background as they moved through middle age, yet this topic was seldom discussed. The protagonist of my novel begins to discover her own strength during this period. She senses a newfound bravery, one she did not experience in her younger years—years spent raising children and supporting her husband as they worked to make ends meet.
At a Crossroads
We encounter my protagonist at a pivotal moment in her life. She may not consciously realize what her heart knows. Change is on the horizon. Her children are now old enough for her to pursue the dream she has cherished since her youth: to become a published writer. The story unfolds in the days leading up to her first writer’s conference and just after she informs her husband she is ready to move on. After twenty-five + years, she decides it is time for a new chapter.
The Evolution of Women’s Roles
Today, middle-aged women are active and proactive, refusing to simply react to circumstances. In contrast, my protagonist struggled to comply with the expectation to quietly step aside. It was not in her nature to go quietly, and modern women share this determination. The “NOW” sections of this story were added on later to highlight this truth – change is inevitable.
Over time, certain things evolve. This is true not only in life but also in storytelling.
SweetSpot: Now and Then found here and here.
Reviews appreciated.
MM
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