Putting life on slo-mo may sound easy-peasy, but if you know
me, you know slowing down is not my strong suit.
The last two years have been a whirlwind of working with
editors, rewriting, revising, proofreading, learning book design, self-publishing,
social networking, book marketing, and in less than nine months publishing PEACE BY PIECE and CAPE MAYBE. Oh, and in between, I left one job and started another,
because writing is NOT my day job, it’s my “hobby.”
To say I’ve spent more than a few days on fast-forward is an
understatement, but Carol on fast-forward is nothing new. It hit me that it
might be time to pause and take stock when I noticed others viewed CAPE MAYBE’S publication as a huge accomplishment while I treated it
as one more thing checked off my long to-do list with so much more to do!
It reminds me of a time about 20 years ago when I was a
Human Resources Director in a four person H.R. Department. We were simultaneously
doing the due diligence for a merger, closing one pension plan and creating
another, installing a new payroll system, going through our annual employee
benefits open enrollment—and all while our benefits coordinator was on leave.
At a staff meeting the day after our near flawless payroll go-live, I said
something like, “Go-live yesterday was almost perfect which means today we
shift gears and focus full-force on the open-enrollment deadline, auditing the
pension plan, blah, blah, blah . . .”
My secretary meekly waved her hand, asking if instead of
diving head first into the next projects, we could take a one day breather and celebrate
bringing up a new payroll system and
everyone getting paid right.
See? Carol on fast-forward—nothing new.
So, just for today--and if Jim has his way, tomorrow, and the
next day(s)--I’m trying to put my over-achieving-self on pause.
It has been more than half my lifetime since the first time
I said out loud that I wanted to write a book.
Just for today, I will try
to pause and bask in the realization that after 15 years of writing and
rewriting, in the last nine months, I have finished and published TWO!
So, relax. Take a deep breath. Pat yourself on the back. Get a pedicure. And then - start the 3rd book! I can't wait!!!
ReplyDeleteJulie V.
Julie, laughing . . . A third book, no pressure there :)
Delete2 of the 4 reviews on Amazon are asking for another!
DeleteJV
Congratulations! It is a huge accomplishment. But tell us - How does a type A unwind?
ReplyDeleteSo jasmine, after posting the blog, I backed away from the computer. Made homemade chicken soup, meatballs and a pot of gravy, brownies, racked leaves, lit our first fire in the fireplace and chilled with Jim finishing two books I'd been reading for a couple of weeks. Not exactly on freeze frame, but I didn't obsess about book marketing, and it felt good
DeleteWell done Carol - you deserve to take it easy and just absorb what you've achieved. For most people writing just one novel will only ever be a dream. Take it all in and celebrate. Wishing you every success and here's to the next!
ReplyDeleteThanks Fran. I hope taking a few days "off" from marketing etc., will help me feel the glow :)
DeleteCarol,
ReplyDeleteI'm smiling, remembering that you were "retiring" just a year ago. And then you jumped into another job "part-time" (not really) and doing all the book stuff. I've heard about encore careers, but you are pushing the envelope.
I've seen enough of your sunset photos to know that you do occasionally take a seat and enjoy the moment, and let's face it, cooking can be therapeutic especially if you are remaking your Mom's gravy recipe.
This post shows that you area recognizing that it's time to downshift to A-minus type personality (never a B). Enjoy the sense of accomplishment for a well-lived 2013.
We're all praying to the Amazon gods that book sales take off.
Chris, yes, the beach is my "safe-zone" although, I even take work there!
DeleteYour grading system reminds me that years ago when I was seeing a coach, he gave me a challenge. I could only get an A in coaching if I stopped working EVERY day for a week and went home to sit on my deck (without working) for a week.
That was one hard earned A :)
carol
p.s. and from your lips to the Amazon god's ears :)
Bravo, Carol!
ReplyDeleteYour accomplishments inspire me. But I know the need to slow down and regroup, too. Cape May is definitely the place for that.
So, breathe....and enjoy!
Hi Mary, another friends posted on my FB page yesterday that if you're lucky enough to be a the beach, you are lucky enough.
DeleteI am blessed to live in Cape May and am grateful for it everyday
Yes, he's smart and I'm lucky
ReplyDeleteYour car could be stolen if you don't remember this!
ReplyDeleteImagine that your car was taken! When you visit the police, they inquire about a particular "VIN check"
A VIN decoder: What is it?
Similar to a passport, the "VIN decoder" allows you to find out when the car was born and who its "parent"( manufacturing plant) is. You can also find out:
1.The type of engine
2.Automobile model
3.The limitations of the DMV
4.The number of drivers in this vehicle
You will be able to locate the car, and keeping in mind the code ensures your safety. The code can be viewed in the online database. The VIN is situated on various parts of the car to make it harder for thieves to steal, such as the first person sitting on the floor, the frame (often in trucks and SUVs), the spar, and other areas.
What if the VIN is intentionally harmed?
There are numerous circumstances that can result in VIN damage, but failing to have one will have unpleasant repercussions because it is illegal to intentionally harm a VIN in order to avoid going to jail or the police. You could receive a fine of up to 80,000 rubles and spend two years in prison. You might be stopped on the road by a teacher.
Conclusion.
The VIN decoder may help to save your car from theft. But where can you check the car reality? This is why we exist– VIN decoders!