Did you ever get to that exciting point in your life where changes were really, really, really happening exactly as you had hoped, and when you get to that point of change you think, “Whoa. Was this a good idea? Am I supposed to miss the old life? I feel like I’m not ending well if I don’t miss it desperately.”
Let me introduce you to full-time-author-Regina. She’s super-excited, and super-nervous. She has likened this situation to moving to a new neighborhood, except you’ve picked your house, church, and community up and moved it with you.
The view from her office window is nice.
Out my window . . .
That’s the museum across the street, and a historic house behind it. I guess you’d say we live in Marion’s “Historic district,” if it had one . . .
My back is to the rest of the house, so you’d think distractions would be minimal.
You’d think. The bag is full of goodies my local new Library Director gave me – a “Novelist Emergency Kit!” It’s awesome. She’s awesome. The cats think the BAG is awesome. The piano? It’s full of – you guessed it – NOISE. Jack is NOT Keyboard Cat. My husband is doing his level best to stay out of my way. We’ll see. He likes to have a GOAL for each day, and he likes to ANNOUNCE it. I’m a little more subdued in my goals. Hence, the LIST. He’s working on a book, too, so I just need to get him working on it at the same time I’m working on mine!
So after having the flu for a full week including the New Years holiday, missing my last two days of actual “job” work, I’m finally at my desk.
Full-Time-Author Regina is excited, but a little scared. Yesterday I cleaned out inboxes. Today I’m trying to get a feel for what this looks like on paper. I have a feeling I’ll be making lots of lists, because that’s just what I do. If I can’t cross it off a list, has it really happened?
The next thing to do is start re-reading Carolina Mercy,Ā then get a synopsis put together for this, and an outline for a third book in the Southern Breeze series. My goal is to be done with CM, #2, by the end of January, then start working with Mantle Rock Publishing to get it out by summer!
So, folks, that’s me in a nutshell right now. I appreciate all the prayers and good wishes for my change in status – people keep calling it “retirement,” but it’s not. Retirement is when you get paid to NOT work – I’m not there yet! LOL I’m calling it “self-employment.”
On top of this, we’re facing home renovations on our 101-year-old house. That should be fun. š I’ll keep you posted!
Have a truly blessed day!
Love this! Congratulations! And prayers headed your way too!
Thanks, Sara! And congrats on your contract!!
Regina, I am so proud of you and for you! You will do wonderful! You are an awesome writer. Just as you have done your jobs in the past, you will do great works in the future! I am so proud to know you and your family!
Thanks, Betty! You’ve always been an encouragement to me!!
I’m sure you are feeling disoriented to a degree, Regina, asking yourself, “What have I done? Was this the biggest mistake of my life?” This will ease up as you settle into your new career. Not that these questions don’t pop up again, now and then. But with time….
The main thing I miss is interacting with people. I’ve practically become a hermit except for Wednesdays and Sundays. What scares me after several years is, I grumble when I have to get out any day besides those two It feels like time stolen from what I should be doing. Writing, marketing…. But the days I do get out, I enjoy talking and socializing. Even if it’s at a restaurant.
Hey, folks, don’t knock it. I sold a book to the casheir at a restaurant after striking up a friendship.
LOL!! Thanks, Laurean! It would be easy for me to become a hermit, so hopefully I’ll learn to enjoy those Sunday and Wednesday outings even MORE! Oh, and did I mention distractions? I just closed the lid on the piano. Jack was at it again . . . š