Entrepreneur hours aren't 9-5. Not if they want to be successful.
Recently another writer chastised me for having my computer on while my husband was home. I admit, it stung. The implicit message was that whatever work I was doing on the computer wasn't as valuable as whatever I might have been doing for or with my husband.
Fortunately for me, my husband does not agree with her. He knows that it takes more than full time hours to start and run your own business...and when you are hand-creating the product you sell (ie writing the novels you publish) it takes even longer.
I love the term Mom-preneur. It signifies that Mom is also a full time job. Staying at home to raise your children and running a business isn't all together too different from having a full time job and starting a business on the side. In other words, in both of those situations you will both burn the midnight oil and burn the candle from both ends!
That was me, last night. (And many, many other nights.) I had the idea to create a Cozy Mystery Magazine Sample book many moons ago and finally had time (or finally created time) to finish it.
The other amazing authors on this blog provided their samples, covers, bios, photos, and legal permissions, and I put it all together. It's in approval stage right now...first to Nancy who spearheads the blog, then to the other authors.
After that I will publish it to Smashwords for free to be distributed to all of the online bookstores. As soon as it arrives on those shelves it will be published to Amazon (so that it can be made free there as fast as possible.) It will also be available for any of the authors here to give away from their blogs and hopefully from this blog as well! Until then, here's the cover...I have to say, I'm rather fond of it!
Traci Tyne Hilton burns the midnight oil writing The Mitzy Neuhaus Mysteries, The Plain Jane Mysteries, and other things like a Shaker Romance (coming winter 2013.) She has two zany daughters in gradeschool, a chicken with post traumatic stress disorder, a duck with entitlement issues, a dog who won't stop sleeping on the couch and a very nice husband who doesn't mind (usually) if she has to work while he is at home.
Oh Tracy - I can't tell you how excited I am about this project. I thank you so much for doing this. I can't wait to see it. And I agree I'm a mom of a disabled daughter that I have to care for and trying to work from home, too. You have to take the moments you can get to work. Once again thank you!
ReplyDeleteDebbie Malone
After reading this post I am amazed at what you both have accomplished. I started to write my first book in 2001 but had to put it away for the sake of my family until 2009. Now the kids are gone and I enjoy the freedom of writing full time. It's the best! Hang in there, ladies. It will pay off in the end.
Delete~Nancy Jill Thames
I am so thankful for my supportive husband...I know I couldn't do this if he didn't believe in me!
DeleteAnd @Deb: God bless you so much! Special needs children are VERY special! (even when they are grown up kids!) The life you have with your daughter is something few people can understand and appreciate, but she knows it and God knows all you do!!
DeleteAs for the little project--I do wish I had been able to get it done sooner, but I am very excited that it's almost ready! Nancy found several things that need adjusting and as soon as I do, I'll send off copies to all of us to preview. :)
Deborah--Can't wait. The cover looks mah-velous!
ReplyDeleteGood Gravy am I lone single (i.e. never been married) girl in this group? Story of my life!
ReplyDeleteSeriously I know, because my married sisters tell me often, that it is a hard job being a Mom and then adding on to that. I admire you all. If it makes any of your feel any less tired, it's not exactly easy to find entrepreneur (Spinster-preneurs? Old Maid-preneurs?)time when you're single with a full-time job either. (I like to eat and keep a roof over my head). The challenges are just different.
Oh Tracy and I love the book too. Such a cute cover.
Cindy--I completely agree~ I think keeping hearth and home together while trying to start up a business would be nearly impossible! You have all of my admiration!
ReplyDelete