Lilly Padd

Where my muse was hiding for seven decades I really don’t know. But something, perhaps time, has spurred me to create something new just about monthly. This year I have published seven coloring books, an autobiography, my first and second novels that are ready to launch, a blog and a coloring group on Facebook. I also have two self-help books only pages away from completion. Well, that is since I turned 72, a year ago. What about the last seven decades?

Although my autobiography, “A Life of Unusual Events” fills in some of the blanks of seven decades, it only scrapes the surface. I could probably write three more books just based on the characters I know as family. I come from a long line of interesting people, but they are just a small part of my story. Grandparents that were brave escapees of a genocide, seers and palm readers, assassins, delicate flowers, scrappers, hard workers, politicians and crooks. One of my chapter titles is ‘Bah, Bah, Black Sheep, We Have More Than One.’

Beyond my family I have had people crash into my life most unexpectedly. From movie stars to the mafia, to prostitutes and thieves there is a vortex of cosmic collision that pulls me in. From New York to Boston to Las Vegas, Reno and beyond; it is a journey. From a privileged debutante to driving a tow truck my life has been quite the ride.

Beyond the strange events and odd people, I am a klutz. My husband calls it doing a "Susan." The most unlikely things happen to me in the most public settings. The book will make you shrink in horror, cry and laugh out loud. All of the reviews have been five star.

My first novel, “A Life of Dreams” is the story of Lilly Endicott. She has quite a life: Her story is the story of a young woman finding her way to dignity, success and love, although humiliation came easy to her when she was young. Her father was a drunk, they lived on the wrong side of the tracks, her mother is uneducated and living in fear. Although Lilly works hard, circumstance holds her back. She wants to be loved and have someone who is decent and kind. Little does she know the winding path the next ten years will take. Her life will unfold racing ahead with lightning speed, taking her to the heights of ecstasy and to the depths of despair. Her dreams will drive her to hope and then leave her in dread. From a loving family, to deceitful people, all of her survival instincts drive her forward. Her journey is not easy. But Lilly refuses to be a victim.

“A Life of Promises” is the sequel. It picks up with sadness enveloping the main characters; A tortured returned Vietnam veteran, the widow Lilly, Joe, Sue and their loving families and friends. It is a story of life’s tribulations. Loss, deceit and love all combine for an interesting look at the promises we make. When Danny returns to his home town after being in a POW Camp he is suffering great loss and greater pain. Pain of the heart. He has lost his one true love…his family. With all that plagues him, from the physical to emotional, he hides. In many ways, the military hero has chooses to be cowardly. Lilly has committed herself to a man from her past. Trying to move on, for the sake of her children she journeys down a road looking for the magic she had with her deceased husband. Whether this book is read as a standalone, or as the second book of a series you will cheer for the characters as you follow their winding path.

I am also launching my first self-help book titled, “A Life I Screwed Up Myself….or How Bad Do You Need A Dick?” Yup, that is the title....It explores the myth that in relationships we need to give up our authentic selves to find love. Not me! The book will tell you why and how to save yourself. I believe if I can do it, anyone can.

My second self-help which is in the works is, “A Life of One”. It is a guide to making a difference in our strange and overwhelming world.

Although I have had many careers in my long life, reinventing myself at this age has mystified me. At what point does a person stop growing and learning and venturing in to new waters? Retirement didn’t mean that I would stop working. It has meant I would work at something I love. Lucky me.

When a person has moved forty times in forty-three years of marriage you would think I would be accustomed to change. We moved often to flip houses before flipping was popular, but we also moved from city to city and state to state for my husband’s career.

Amazingly it never stopped me from finding work. I have driven tow trucks, been a police and fire dispatcher, a film director, camera man for KTVN TV, a disc jockey, a book keeper, had a wrecking yard, a used car business, been a substitute teacher, a waitress, sold real estate and it goes on; the last thing I expected, though, was to become an author.

My blog at ‘Susantullyislillypadd.com’ gives further insight to the churning thoughts that fill my mind. Sometimes it feels like an endless spin cycle of words spilling forth. Seventy-two years offers a wealth of topics, opinions and ideas.

When I published my coloring books I created a group on Facebook called ‘Grayscale Coloring with Lilly Padd.’ Please take a look at the good people who enjoy this hobby as much as I do.

My other Facebook group, which I get a kick out of is, “Life Warriors,” ****Although strong, but tired, we endure**** Daily, I ask a question so that we can learn more about our Facebook family; many of whom we will never know face-to-face and yet they share our joy, celebrate our successes and comfort us in times of sorrow.

I am a dichotomy. Happily married to the love of my life, mom of 4, grandma of 16 and great grandma of 6…..Entrepreneur, author and life coach. Jack of all trades and master of many. Older but still very much young.

It often seems I am just a passenger on this great train called life. That I have an open-ended ticket that a year ago stopped in the lovely town of ‘Authorville.’