I did it! I turned in my 8th Zoe Chambers Mystery (titled Fair Game) on time along with my thoughts about the cover art. After being overwhelmed with a back-to-back book release and deadline, the sense of freedom was exhilarating.
Someone recently asked me how I celebrate these things. Let’s see…
I ate chocolate. My husband and I toasted with a glass of mead, homemade by my good friend Tami McClain.
We bought a new car…
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| Hubby's new Crosstrek (which I borrowed for my road trip) |
Okay, that last item had nothing to do with the deadline. Hubby’s old car was nearing 200,000 miles and needed some major repairs. He was long overdue for a new vehicle.
He also let me and my travel buddy, Liz Milliron, take the new Crosstrek on a weekend road trip to Indianapolis for Magna Cum Murder, another nice way to celebrate. I didn’t even pack my laptop, although I did take my Chromebook to check email. It was nice being able to devote all of my convention time to hanging out with readers and making new friends as well as touching base with old friends. No retreating to my room to hammer out a scene or a chapter.
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| Glamming it up with travel buddy Liz Milliron at the Magna Cum Murder banquet |
Free! I’m free!
Since I’ve come up for air, I intend to go on a couple of dates with my husband, maybe catch a movie. I’m working my way through my to-be-read piles (shelves, mountains). And I’ve started my spring cleaning!
Yes, you heard me right. My spring cleaning. I’m well aware that it’s October.
However, I can’t get too used to the concept of having a life away from the fictional world where I spend most of my time. I need to make an outline for the next book. Maybe start playing with some opening lines. Because before too long, Fair Game will come back to me complete with edits and I’ll once again crawl into Book Jail with a deadline to meet.
The freedom of coming up for air is sweet but short-lived.
Do you celebrate your work accomplishments? How?
