So far, so good. I've been off the road for two days and I'm on point with my goal of a chapter a day. :-) I've turned off my cell phone and I'm doing it. Like I said, the story rolls, it was just so much of life that got in the way. But one thing, I achieved my goal by sacrificing going to the gym. Yet another but, though. I can't really totally say that I sacrificed not going to the gym as I can say that I just didn't properly organize my time. I do a "Funk-Soul-Steppin'" class, or, advanced aerobics, three days a week. And I'm one of those people who actually love going to the gym and working out, even though I'm ALWAYS trying to lose those same 10 pounds. Going to the gym has become even more of an experience since I started writing full-time. It has become my social outlet too. Some days I'm at home, locked up in my apartment all day with writing, and other literary stuff. And the gym may become the only time I actually see other people and even open my mouth speak actual words. Sometimes it can be the only time I get a whiff of fresh air. And it makes me feel good afterwards. Unless something comes up, I go to this class faithfully three days a week. And yes, sometimes, I will even sacrifice other events if it conflicts with my Funk-Soul-Steppin' class. Yes, it's just that important.

But I had to give it a couple of days off, kind of like as punishiment. Because I had all morning and afternoon to get the writing done, and I didn't. I could have, but I didn't. I was doing something else. Trying to make postcards for my first book. I'm not good with computer stuff and it took me two days and going back and forth between my Mac and PC computers to get the thing right. So, I finally got it done and placed an order (I'll use these cards to promote on the street, give some to bookstores, and for mailings) so I can get them in time for the book's release.

And from what I'm told, this is what it's going to be like. Working on writing one book, while working and doing promotion for the previous books. Promotion also involves "pre-promotion" which is getting everything ready for promoting. Do you want to give away postcards, book marks, have cute little story booklets, pens, magnets, your bio, newsletters, or whatever. You also gotta take time to make it up and put it together. And some stuff, like your bio, changes so you have to stay on top of it and make sure it's updated so that you won't have to spend a day at the last minute trying to get it perfect before you send it out to someone. And you can't completely ignore it until after you finish your next book, because then you look up and you're ready to go and you have nothing to promote with, because you didn't prepare it. So, this is all the other little writing stuff that's on my mind while I'm writing the next book. So the proper term should now move from "full-time writer" to "full-time writer and promoter". Well, for a lot of us, I should say. :-)

Don't worry. I'm going to make my class tonight. :-)