Manic pixie dream *woman*

Since I quit my job in December to focus on completing and publishing Firebug, I’ve made a lot of progress.

I completed initial edits (thank you times a million to Chase and Matt for your exhaustive notes and insightful feedback), built a website, filed paperwork to get Firebug copyrighted, set up a home studio for recording content, and generated a bunch of posts for my various social media platforms. I’m now working with a professional editor to get Firebug as solid as I possibly can before self-publishing, and even met with a content strategist to discuss refining my marketing approach when it comes time to actually promote and sell the book. 

I’ve also made a good amount of progress on Loop, Nevada in between milestones for Firebug, so I’m feeling good about getting that one out by next year as well.

Also, over the last few months I went from being able to do 1 pull-up to being able to do 8. At 41 years old, I’m the strongest I’ve ever been in my life. This has absolutely nothing to do with my writing career, but part of what I wanted to do when I left my job was have more time for exercise, and I’m really grateful that I was able to make real progress on that front (high five to the Thicc’ems crew). 

I have started to integrate freelance design back into my life, which I’m stoked about, because as it turns out, the routine of writing in the morning, exercising midday, and working on design stuff in the afternoon/evening works really well for me. 

I learned a lot the last few months about pacing myself and the importance of rest. I’m not great at taking time to recharge, and there have been several times over the past few months that I’ve found myself feeling overworked, having a hard time staying focused, feeling frustrated at not being farther along. Moving forward, I’m going to strive to prioritize balance and self-care and take breaks as needed. It’s all going to happen when it’s supposed to happen. 

I appreciate all the support I’ve gotten — referrals, feedback, words of encouragement, friends who have bought me meals, or urged me to keep going, or met up with me to co-work. Following one’s dream a messy, emotional enterprise, and I would not have had the resolve to embark on this journey without knowing I had my family and community cheering me on.

April’s going to be a whirlwind. Looking forward to it. :)