 | 20 Mar 09 |
Tony Robbins tweated this the other day (and I really needed it): “No situation is ever hopeless. Because whatever the situation may be, the moment you start to take action, you change it.” Ralph Marsdon
I also spent the better part of the week in Sonoma with my two very good friends Sylvia Day and Maya Banks. As luck would have it, I came down with the crappy chest flu last week, and by the time we made it to Sonoma on Sunday it was in a full nasty rage. I rested, took lot’s of good drugs, drank plenty of fluids and was for the most part, quiet. I did a lot of listening. Syl and Maya talked and talked and talked. I’ve known them both for years, Maya and I go way way back, but I didn’t realize until I’d been a fly on the wall just how hard these two ladies worked at not only their craft of writing but the promotion aspect and reader appreciation aspect of their careers. Both of them have worked their butts off and have solid success to show for it. I am dully impressed, and came away feeling, quite frankly, like a slacker.
I’ve been in a slump, see, and I know part of it is because I have been writing non stop for the last three years, especially the last two. I had 5 releases last year and promoting them was exhausting. This economy sucks the big one, and it’s affected so much in my life that I have no control of, it frustrates the hell out of me! Not only that, but I’ve been playing a game of catch up since the first of the year, and though I have been busy and have accomplished quite a bit, I feel like I’m running in place. I feel like in many ways the world has gone by me.
The proposal I’ve rewritten umpteen times still isn’t where I want it to be. It’s good, but not good enough. I have book three in the Blood Sword Legacy releasing in May, MASTER OF CRAVING. I know I need to get on promoting it now, but with this economy I kind of feel like, why bother? But, as Ralph Marsdon so simply put it, “…Because whatever the situation may be, the moment you start to take action, you change it.” I can’t shrug and think there is nothing I can do. There is always something, I can do. I may not have control of the economy, but I can control how I deal with it. And so, between twitterisms, and spending four days in the wine country with two really smart ladies, I finally feel like I am once again in control of my destiny. Instead of running in place, I’m starting to jog along, and though I’m grossly out of shape, I have confidence I’ll catch up, so long as I continue to take action. One step at a time.
How about you? Feeling like the world is whizzing by, and each time you reach out it goes faster? What do you do to catch up?
© 2009, Karin Tabke. All rights reserved.
A Cop’s Wife Writes the Cop’s Life:
Award winning author, Karin Tabke isn’t just another author with steamy stories to tell, but a cop’s wife who has “seen it all and heard it all.†Some of the hottest stories come from behind the blue wall of law enforcement rather than from in front. Married to a street cop, now retired, Karin is intimate with both and proves it with her sizzling tales and hot cops. Not only are her cops hot, but so are her sexy knights. Karin’s Blood Sword Legacy series is a must read for anyone who loves tales of yore when men were men and women were women, and love did conqueror all!
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There are many words that come to mind to describe you, slacker isn’t one of them.
I hope you feel better soon. I get to go to the doctor today to get some of those good drugs. Kids #4 & 5 had the flu and shared it only now it’s moved to my chest.
I have no helpful advice. I can’t keep up w/ the world, I’m lucky I keep up w/ the kids and the hubby.
by HollyD March 20th, 2009 at 6:41 amack, Holly you have the crud in your house too? it’s a tough one. This morning is the first morning I haven’t woken up coughing. I suppose all we can do when life is whizzing by is hold onto a lamppost.
by Karin Tabke March 20th, 2009 at 9:37 amI think I’m going to watch this thread, because I could use some advice myself. Between the economy, hubby’s job disappearing, and writing for a very narrow market, I looked at the bottom monetary line for my writing life after filing my tax return. It’s blood red. (On the bright side, we’re getting a bunch of $$ back)
My ‘goal’ for this year is to find the positive, the way one of my characters does. So, when my agent forwards me the rejection that says, “The consensus was, this isn’t going to meet our needs,” I can grab “consensus” and tell myself it took more than one person to reject that manuscript.
One day at a time is the best I can do. Because if I don’t write something, Or do something writing related, I’m not happy.
by Terry Odell March 20th, 2009 at 7:02 amTerry I like your attitude. One day at a time is a good approach.
by Karin Tabke March 20th, 2009 at 9:42 amI’ve been accused of being a cock-eyed optimist. I figure I’m in pretty good company. Every once in awhile (around birthdays usually), I get nostalgic. I look back at the history of the world since I first entered this plane some fifty-six years ago. I’ve seen governments rise and fall. I’ve lived through wars, recessions, and the gas lines of the seventies. I’ve been broke and I’ve had enough money that I didn’t have to stop to wonder if I could afford that OOH SHINY that caught my eye.
Right now, I’m somewhere in the middle. Life is budgeted – money, time, expectations. I’ve almost died a couple of times. I have a husband 70% disabled through VA (and should be 100% but he’s too stubborn and continues to work). I almost lost my daughter and now I’m helping her plan her wedding a years and a half from now. I worked the Murrah bombing from 9:30 that morning on. I watched 9-11 unfold in front of my eyes, lost friends in the rescue community, and knew I couldn’t leave the police department I was currently working for to respond to NY. Tornadoes. Fires. Floods. Ice. Blizzards. And man-made disasters.
But I get up every morning thinking, “One more day! I have one more day to change things; to do things things I love and hate both; to just simply be!” Let me tell you, it sure beats the alternative. Don’t get me wrong. I have dark days. But then I remember that tomorrow is another day. Everything in its own time. I do what I can, let go of what I can’t, and cuss like a sailor in between. It doesn’t make me feel better but the expressions on the dogs’ faces makes me laugh. Ultimately, that’s how I get through. I laugh.
Wishing all of you much laughter today and every day to come. May your days be many! **laughs* And now I have Rascal Flatts’ “My Wish” running through my head. That’s a pretty good theme song for a cock-eyed optimist like me….
by Silver James March 20th, 2009 at 7:53 amSilver, I love Rascal Flats. I smiled the entire time I read your comment. You are a treasure. I’m glad you found us.
by Karin Tabke March 20th, 2009 at 9:45 amSilver, I don’t know what happened to my original reply to your comment, but I do so love your POV! And Rascal Flats too.
by Karin Tabke March 22nd, 2009 at 1:09 amSlacker and Karin Tabke don’t fit in the same sentence. Everyone deserves a break now and then. Don’t feel guilty for catching your breath.
I have so much to be thankful for. The economic downturn has barely touched my family, we are healthy, and I have good friends.
by Kendra March 20th, 2009 at 8:26 amThanks, Kendra. I don’t feel guilty, I just feel, blah. I love your attitude. and while this economy has affected us, and we are adapting, it has a silver lining: my kids are staying with us, and I love having them around, especially the grand baby on the way (as I type this my poor daughter is puking her ginger ale up). i think part of my gloom is seeing people i know lose their homes and their businesses, losing contracts and struggling to sell, and it bugs me. a lot. i feel very helpless. i know it’s not my job to make them better but damn it’s hard to watch others fall apart.
by Karin Tabke March 20th, 2009 at 9:49 amKarin, I agree that slacker totally doesn’t touch you. I think it’s the world whizzing by feeling, and it’s everywhere! Time has definitely ramped up. Keep enjoying your family, your writing, and life; all that other stuff will work itself out.
by LaDonna March 20th, 2009 at 8:42 amLaD, I’m hanging in there. But like I just said to Kendra, it’s really hard to watch others struggle and be unable to help them.
by Karin Tabke March 20th, 2009 at 9:51 amKarin, you’re my promotion guru. As you learn, I learn, ’cause you share with us what you’re going through. You did what was right for you at the time. It was more important for you to write the books than to promote. You can’t do it all. At least, not at once. Don’t knock yourself about it.
I’m going to follow Tony Robbins, too. I never thought of it!
by Edie March 20th, 2009 at 8:46 amEdie, I love Tony’s tweats! And thank you again for all of your help during my crazy time last year.
by Karin Tabke March 20th, 2009 at 9:52 amBoy, you hit the nail on the head with that one! I’m inspired to just do it! Take action and watch things change! Thanks, Karin!
by Debra Webb March 20th, 2009 at 8:55 amHey, Debra, I’m thinking action does speak louder than words. Now I need to get my ass out for a walk!
by Karin Tabke March 20th, 2009 at 9:53 amI’ve been running in place since the beginning of the year and I’m done with that. Nothing happens when you stand still. Okay, maybe you stop and smell the roses, but allergies suck, so time to get butt in gear.
by Amanda March 20th, 2009 at 11:20 amI love your analogy, Amanda! Allergies do suck!
by Karin Tabke March 20th, 2009 at 12:36 pmI’ve decided that I can’t catch up and when the world gets to fast for me. I step off away from it all have a mental day or two. The I try and jump back into world without have the getting hurt too much.
If that makes sense at all.
by Greta March 20th, 2009 at 12:34 pmGreta, it makes perfect sense! Here’s to not getting too bruised!
by Karin Tabke March 20th, 2009 at 12:37 pmWow, slacker, I would have never associated that word with you. Although we’ve never met I follow your blogs and know how busy you’ve been. This economy makes it hard to be positive about a lot of things, but in the end we can only control ourselves. I’m happy to read that you’ve picked yourself up. Best of luck to you with your proposal.
by Erika March 20th, 2009 at 1:15 pmthanks a bunch, erika. i’m bound and determined to get some writing done today. but first i have to take the dogs for a walk.
by Karin Tabke March 21st, 2009 at 11:52 amI want to know when they shortened the day, the work week, the month, and the year? What the heck happened to vacation. Stop the world I’m getting dizzy.
by Cele March 20th, 2009 at 9:12 pmCele, I feel exactly the same way! where has all the time gone??? i took four days off this week and can’t remember it! I just know i want to go back!
by Karin Tabke March 21st, 2009 at 11:53 amWhen ever I feel stressed, I read a good book. So keep on promoting those books and doing what you are doing.
I appreciate each and every one of you who blog here. I had read most, but not all of each authors books and working my way through the rest. I get so much out of your posts and sharing your lives and writing processes.
I have an award for the group on my blog here
Thank you for being inspirations!
by Robin of My Two Blessings March 21st, 2009 at 1:10 pmRobin I love to read too when I’m feeling blue. Any suggestions for something upbeat and humorous?
by Karin Tabke March 21st, 2009 at 3:39 pmand thanks for the award! and I’m really glad you found us and enjoy our daily ramblings and rumblings. it’s comforting to know we’re all in this together.
Hi Tarin,
I have found a few light reads that are humorous such as Evanovich’s Naughty neighbor or Cleo Coyle’s Coffeehouse Mysteries. Otherwise I get lost in a romantic suspense novel or science fiction or fantasy, a mystery thriller. Reading is relaxing and an escape for me and since I’m a very visual person, get drawn into the stories.
I have to ask. My theme for Spring Reading Challenge is first time author reads. I’ve been slowly working my way through all of ya’ll’s books. So far I’ve read a few by Roxanne, Allison, Debra and Heather. So which book do you recommend I read first of yours and this goes to the rest of you lovely ladies as well. Both Jaded and Master of Surrender look good.
by Robin of My Two Blessings March 23rd, 2009 at 8:26 amWhoops – typo.
That’s supposed to be Karin.
by Robin of My Two Blessings March 23rd, 2009 at 11:24 amfound this on twitter today.
“Rest not! Life is sweeping by; go and dare before you die.” -Goethe
by Karin Tabke March 21st, 2009 at 3:35 pm