New Website

I've decided to market all of my women's fiction under the pen name of Jackie Bannon and am getting everything in line to start marketing The Jerk List.  So....

 

Website reorganized - Check

Business cards ordered - Check and corrected

Last edits on The Jerk List - Not Checked

Query Agents - After step 3 is checked

Now all I have to do is lose another 17 lbs so I can fit into the red dress for nationals and go through The Jerk List one last time and  WHAM - I'm submitting again!

And guess what I did this week - I went to the bathroom at work and didn't realize my skirt was tucked into my underwear.  Went right out the door and down the hall to the break room before a secretary told me.  I wonder how many people saw me and didn't say anything?  Luckily it was only for about 20 seconds, but STILL!!!  Why does this kind of stuff always happen to me?

I'm hitting the reset button

There are reset buttons on almost everything.  So I figured why not hit the reset button on my career - my writing career that is.  Even though I've been writing for years, I'm still a newbie and frankly, with this ever changing market, I've been in hover mode, trying to figure out what to do.  I spent this weekend in a camper near a lodge a bunch of writer friends rented to escape our realities and as usual, I had a blast, but I'm still in a quandary on what to do with my career.

Then a sledge hammer hit me over the head (not literally) and I got it.  I actually GOT IT! 

Like most women, I listen to people, I gather opinions and do research.  This can be helpful, but it can also cause doubt - the kind of doubt that holds you back.  It can stop you from chasing your dreams or put a hold button on life.  My mother always said the only holding me back was myself, and I have to tell you, I HATE it when she is right!

The sledge hammer helped me knock some of that doubt away.  You see, 9 out of 10 times when I follow my gut, things work out for the best.  I may not get what I wanted, but I am happy.  The 1 out of 10 times, I usually fall flat on my face, but at least I learn something. 

It's time for me to follow my gut.  It's time for me to acknowledge the self-doubt and deal with it.  It's time for me to say 'Fuck it all' and chase my dreams.

So no more holding back professionally.  No more wondering 'Am I really doing the right thing'.  I'm going to follow my own advise and go for it. 

What does this mean?  This means the crazy, lovable, you can't believe I said that Jackie is back.  And everyone better watch out because I'm smiling!