For All Eternity

Connie and all she had become ❤

When I first created Connie as a character in my head, it was for a two part one shot where I explored what it would be like for Joe to be the single parent, rather than Dianne as a lot of the books and short stories at the time were portraying. Quickly, as with everyone else, I fell in love with Connie-girl and her little quirky ways. I wanted to know how Joe and Dianne's relationship would develop with our sweet Connie's listening ears and prying eyes everywhere they went. I wanted to delve more into Joe's story before strictly- the force that resulted in him signing up. And I wanted to know of their future.

So I took the plunge to write my first proper Joe and Dianne fic- I'd written books before but never on these two and never with a child involved. And only one shots when it came to the golden couple.

When it started I was set that it would end with strictly and have an epilogue but as I, as I know the same is true for many of you, fell in love and became ever intrigued with the story I was creating. Each new chapter I wrote, because I don't plan ahead, left me eager to find out what my crackpot brain was going to come up with next. Eager to see Joe as a parent and Dianne slowly become one. Ready to see Dianne delve deeper into Joe's life, discover how then man she quickly fell for was one who broken beyond measure but stitched together for his daughter and the public. And of course fall more and more in love with Connie.

With the support of some amazing people I've met along the way but particularly Nobi-wobi I took on the challenge of writing the second book. It was a struggle but necessary. I had been toying with posting it or not- it was vital for me to develop Joe's character and Connie's relationship with her, now deceased, birth mother. But I discovered if it was vital for me then maybe some of you could find it useful too.

Which catapults us up to this rollercoaster of a book. I always knew I would return to the present day- the minute I ended the first book. I felt a time skip was necessary and I have absolutely loved writing this book. Loved developing Connie further. Loved fashioning her relationship with Dianne, working on making it feel real- not idolising the huge decision Connie had to make to allow her perception of mum to look not like a question mark or a woman with brown hair and brown eyes holding a blanket, to a living Australian with red hair and honey coloured eyes. To the woman who managed to fix her Dad' broken heart. I hope I did that justice. I also was keen to keep delving into Joe's relationship with Connie because in a huge sense she saved his life without knowing. And Joe's relationship with Dianne, especially the impacts poor mental health and PTSD can have on a relationship of their stature.

I, as always, when I started the third book had no idea quite where it was going to end. In fact, until the penultimate chapters I was still sent to keep on, with no end in sight. That is until I wrote the video and Joe feeling little one kick. Suddenly, it was a good place to end. However, I wasn't feeling entirely mean- I absolutely couldn't stop it without writing about the welcoming of little Eleanore Alice. And actually whilst we're here, you weren't alone in all the last chapter emotion, as I definitely got a little bit emosh as I was writing the last lines and again when editing them.

I can't describe the weight of writing those two little words. They signaled the end of what felt like a bit of an era.

It was the end of those conventional chronological chapter books after all.

But...

Do not fear my loves

As I'm sure you lot are

I'm not ready to say goodbye to Dianne, Joe, Connie and now Baby Ellie so...

Eventually, (though it may be a few weeks before it arrives) there will be a 'little' non-chronological one shot book with all sorts of tid bits from past or future or within the timeline of the books. For example Connie's first steps, extracts from Joe's xmas present to Dianne and stuff in the future (I'm ready scheming).

If you have any moments you're desperate to see let me know. It won't be requests per se more suggestions. I'm more keen to know if there are any parts you really want exploring of felt like you missed out on.

Finally, I want to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my huge heart for all of the love and support I have had. This book has become my therapy and my escape. Last year, when I started it, I had just finished a chapter of my life and the security and contents of the future chapters were foggy and uninviting. This book helped cheer me up when life was not going as I planned and in the recent months, long before the lockdown, gave me a positive outlet to channel my energy into, as well as providing me an escape from reality. I hope Connie, Ellie (though she wasn't born and her crew have been able to do that for you lot too. I didn't start this with the intention of it becoming what it is. I didn't start it thinking it'd get votes and comments but my mind has been absolutely blown away. To see something you're putting maximum effort into gain positive responses is something I can't describe and I wanted to again say thank you, a million times over, for everything you have done for me, a lot of it without you realising, and all of the positive vibes you have put into the atmosphere at such a weird time.

I love you all to death and you are never alone. I hope you all remember that even when things  are dark you'll still have characters from books, people on the internet making videos, TV, me, and most importantly your friends to keep you going.

Love to you all a thousand times over,

I'm not done yet,

Heather xxx