Let’s Look Beyond the Fictional Page
February has been a month of romance! Over on Facebook and Instagram, I shared some of my favourite romance movies. But as much as I love a good love story, I can’t help but see something deeper—something that flicks my writer-brain into high gear.
Stories aren’t just entertainment. Sometimes, they’re roadmaps.
You might be wondering, Angela, roadmaps to where?
I believe they guide us back to ourselves—to self-confidence, self-resilience, and self-trust.
Fictional Women, Real Impact
One of the first heroines who shook my view of the world was Celie from Alice Walker’s The Color Purple. Her story lingered with me for weeks. Fearless, even with so much to fear—making choices, taking risks, stepping into her own power. Celie’s journey felt like a quiet revolution. And somewhere between her pages, I started to reflect on my own strength.
That’s the magic of fiction. It burrows deep, uncovering parts of ourselves we didn’t even know were there.
Think about it—how many times have you watched a strong female lead and felt a spark of your own power come alive?
Studies show that connecting with a fictional character can boost your well-being, strengthen self-belief, and even increase life satisfaction. Imagine yourself as the protagonist in your own story—facing challenges and taking risks on your own terms.
📖 Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice) reminds us to know our worth and never settle.
📖 Claire Beauchamp Randall (Outlander) teaches us resilience. A woman flung through time, she quickly learns that her survival—physical and emotional—is up to her. But what I love most? Claire doesn’t just fight for herself. She shares her skills and knowledge to help others, too.
These women may live in fiction, but their courage is real—because we carry it with us.
Have you ever read a book that made you believe in yourself just a little more? Hit leave a comment and tell me about the characters who’ve left their mark on you.
Let’s Talk About Self-care 🧘🏽♀️
Great stories don’t just inspire us to dream bigger. They remind us to pause, breathe, and refill our own cup.
The heroines we love are ambitious, bold, tenacious. And by the final chapter, they’ve learned balance, grace, and when to turn the page. We should, too.
So, here’s a challenge—for you and for me.
For the next month, let’s make self-care an intentional practice, not an afterthought. Whether it’s:
✨ Journaling for a few minutes
✨ Reading 10 extra pages of your favourite book
✨ Taking deep breaths in the morning
✨ Adding a short walk to your day
Let’s commit to small, mindful acts—and feel the difference.
To help, I created a Self-Care Intentions Sheet—a simple tracker to encourage daily moments of renewal. Print it, save it, or keep it on your phone—whatever works best for you.
Download Your Self-Care Intentions Here🧘🏽♀️
Novel Update
Romantic Suspense Novel in Progress
This past week, I had to laugh at myself.
I realized something—maybe for the first time. I love writing about heroines who are so busy solving big problems, they forget to sweat the small stuff. Give them an international scandal, a high-stakes mystery, or a life-altering decision. They’ll tackle it head-on. But remembering to pay the hydro bill? That’s another story.
Maybe that’s why I adore strong, complicated heroines—ones who stumble, but always rise.
