Unsolicited moral boosters totally rock

I am doing interviews again for the Tucson Festival of Books.  I started out on the committee, then became the publicity team lead, and now hold that position plus the co-chairperson seat.  And January I become the VP of Membership for the local chapter of Romance Writers of America.  And I’m trying, trying, trying to get Book 2 finished to give to MY AGENT.  And that stupid day job that takes 40 hours a week of my life.  And family obligations and their desire that I be present.

I’m stretched so thin.  I have no one to blame but myself, but as I said to Ava today, I just desperately want to get out from under the yoke of being employed.  Besides, everything I mentioned above I absolutely LOVE doing, except, and that’s a huge EXCEPT, the day job.  I don’t want to give up anything but that.

However, sometimes the stress gets to me and I wig out.  I call it my quarterly nervous breakdown.  When I feel it coming on, I call Kelli and, God bless her (the God of unfailing loyalty and sisterhood), she will take up my banner and charge into the fray.  That’s one of my favorite things about Kelli – and there are a lot of things to choose from.  She is a great champion for your cause.  With Kelli, I can rail against the machine and spout ridiculous nonsense about what I’m going to do and she’s right there with me, watching my back and cheering me on.  It’s awesome.

Ava is often the word of sanity in the murk.  After I’ve calmed down, days or weeks later, Ava will calmly say something like, “I understand but you see why this is the better course, don’t you?”  And of course, in a sane head it often is.

Both of these points of view are priceless. But sometimes, a word from a disinterested third party will elevate me to a place my sisters can’t take me.

Like I said, I’m doing interviews again for the festival.  That means I get to talk to some really great writers and get insights and perspectives I’d never considered before.

Take for instance this private exchange with an up and coming author.  I think she’s going to prove a powerhouse on the paranormal scene.  Her first in a new series came out yesterday.  Her name is Caris Roane her book is Ascension.  Go buy it.

This is an email she sent me off the record and I hope she’ll forgive my sharing it with you.

Amy,
Love the sparkles on your website header!
I’m soooo proud of you!  There’s nothing easy about being a woman or life choices or anything!  In the early days, I was up at 4am to write, with two small children.  But even then I didn’t have a day-job.  Looking back I still don’t know if that was the right decision because it took such a toll on finances.  I’m envious that you can handle such a rigorous schedule but way to go!  Life is freaking hard and we have to earn our dreams…I really believe that.  Yes, I’m published with St. Martin’s now but it was years in the making and even now, everyday, I still ask myself…what more can I do, what else needs to be done!  Even as we speak I’m working on a Regency historical series, letting it sit on the back burner while I write my vampire series.  Publishing ain’t for sissies and neither is life…so keep at it no matter how tough the road.  For every day you stay with it, another writer drops off the grid because it’s soooo hard to get where you want to go!
 
Courage and then more courage,

Holy moly and good God (I’m referring to the God of supportive and generous mentors).

So I will keep plugging away.  And thank you out there, every one of you who supports me.  When I’m really, really tired I can’t even tell you how much I appreciate it.