Graduation Time

June is the month for graduations, be it elementary school, middle school, high school or college.

The last graduation I went to a few years ago, was my nephew getting his Master's in nursing.  It was a bitter sweet graduation as it was the last graduation my mother was able to see before she passed away.

This June my great-niece (my mother's great-granddaughter) is graduating from high school.  It's so hard to believe she's already 18 and ready to go off to college.

It make me think about the passage of time.

My first contract was offered in August of 2009.  I was still working the dreaded day job and honestly was surprised by the contract offer.  But it was great.  I signed the contract and delved into the world of publishing, marketing and promotion.

I wrote two more books while still working a full-time job and taking care of my mom.

Then in April of 2012 - I was able to retire from my day job.  With that retirement came, moving to another state.  Mainly because California was too expensive to live in, but also because my mom was getting up in age, she was having health issues and her house was two stories.

I had a ranch home built in Washington near my sister, and then proceeded to pack and clean out the house my mom lived in for over 60 years.  I had a goal in mind.  The house closed in June, so I wanted to be fully moved in by the end of September.

Writing took a slight back seat, while I packed and cleaned out the house and then moved.  But I managed to do it.

I'm going to fast forward to today.

Today, I've had had 6 books published by The Wild Rose Press and 3 short novellas by Sybarite Seductions (they've since closed).  I have 1 book under contract with The Wild Rose Press, 2 more (a short novella and a novel) waiting to be read for contract and 2 more books I'm writing (one short novella and another novel).

Needless to say I've been keeping busy.  It's been 3 years since I retired from my day job and I'm loving every minute of being a full-time writer.