Thursday, September 29, 2016

It's all down on paper, but now what?


My last post was about reading. So much of the in-between then and now has been spent on publishing. I made a promise to myself that, before my birthday, I would have all of my “awaiting publication” books moved to “published.” Specifically, my Classroom Management for the Real World book that I published last year as an eBook would now come out in paperback. It is now.
I feel pretty accomplished in getting that task done. However, my brain has now gone to mush. I'm feeling a tiny bit overwhelmed by the tasks in front of me with events for Panther City Review, dealing with governmental agencies setting up direct sales (something I wasn't really planning to do and is now a paperwork nightmare), and trying to figure out just what's next for me. I have a potential book to publish from an author I respect, but to get started on that…it's daunting! First things first, though. I have to actually read the thing!
When I think back to why I began all of this in the first place, I realize that I've lost my way a bit. I started Fort Worth Writer’s Boot Camp as my escape from a bad work situation. I took the plunge and decided that, before I was 40, I would be a professional writer. Two months later, as reality was smacking me hard on the butt, I realized I needed a paying gig. I was contemplating my options when my dream library job opened up for me. I did not let the opportunity pass me by.
Three years later, I'm happy in my library, but I'm not writing like I should be. I am a professional, independently published author, but not of the type of writing I want to be known for. I need to get back to my novel. To something that brings out that creativity. I'm slowly letting go of extra activities that do not serve my final mission in life: to write and to publish. Getting myself back on track to what I need to do for me is of the utmost importance right now. Reclaiming a little bit here and there. Not jumping from one thing to another, but creating a stable environment to thrive. That is what I need. Really, that is what we all need to be able to accomplish what we desire in life.