The traditional publishing world moves like a glacier.

It's no secret. Everyone who's ever submitted a single query knows how slow the publishing industry moves. It's just how it is. Agents and editors are bombarded with content every single day. Plus they have a ton of other things to do beside read queries, partials and full requests. They have to keep on top of their current clients and authors. They're always on the go. I follow enough agents and editors on Twitter and have heard enough speak at conferences, etc...to know a good amount about how their lives go. They are crazy busy.

So yeah, it takes a while to hear back from them. I can't say it's always easy to sit back and just wait. And wait. And wait some more. But it's part of the process of pursuing a traditional publishing career. I've come to accept it. I've learned how to deal with it and stay sane.

Recently I listened to an author speak about her journey and why she has chosen to self publish her work. And one of her biggest reasons was the time issue. She chose to self publish, and was very adamant about encouraging us to do it for this same reason as well, because she could write her book and get it out to readers immediately, instead of waiting a year for it to come out through traditional means. She started making money immediately instead of in a year.

And yeah, that does sound nice. I love writing. I love when readers enjoy my creations. But a girl needs to eat and I do need to make money. I don't look at this year of waiting time for traditional publishing as a waste though. There's so much that can be done in that time.

So here's an example. My agent currently has my book out on submission. Let's say it sells tomorrow and won't release until April 2014. I have a year to write more books and get those sold and ready to release after that book does. I have a year to work on social media and build excitement for the book/s. And the money aspect- I will pay $0 for editing, $0 for cover art design, $0 for formatting, etc. So even though I have a year of collecting $0 in royalties, I have also paid $0. It may take a little longer for the money to start coming in, but I personally feel that is a better base for a career. For me. I know others feel differently.

Every writer has a decision to make when it comes to their career and going traditional or self pubbing, or even a combo of both. It's a personal decision and everyone has their reasons. This girl has her reasons too. And for me, traditional is just the best route, despite the fact that it takes longer to get there.

Gonna try some freelancing! Ever do it??

As we all know, these days it's extremely tough to make a living on just book royalties. I knew this fact going in and obviously I still wanted to pursue a writing career.

I haven't worked for someone else in almost eight years. I gave up my 9-5 when my daughter was born so I could be home with her. That had always been the plan and I started my home-based business at that time. But after a while, that gig wasn't all I really wanted and writing kinda took over my life.

Luckily, my husband's salary does pay the bills, but we're not using dollar bills as napkins around this place, if you know what I mean. So I'd love to bring in some money again, even if it's just a little.

I recently signed up with Constant Content after reading that my friend and fellow author Nicole Zoltack was giving it a try.

Click here and you can give it a try too!

Now, I've tried this kind of thing before with Helium.com. Not really a great experience. I'd earned only pennies a week and I never actually collected a dime from them. They won't pay you until you reach $25. And at only pennies a week, that can take a looooooong time. But maybe I didn't give it enough energy. I don't know...but I wasn't very enthusiastic about it. And then I found that someone had stolen a few of my articles from there and was using them on their own page somewhere else. Left a real bad impression with me.

But Constant Content seems really good. You can write about anything you want, but there are guidelines and restrictions. Non-fiction only. All articles are reviewed before they go up for sale. And they will reject it for grammar. Of the first three I submitted, one was rejected for a few errors. I fixed them and resubmitted...hopefully it is okay now. Because three rejections and you are out. You set the prices for your articles and the site keeps 35%.

So I guess we'll see how this goes!! Wish me luck!!! If you're interested, please click the link and give it a try too!! I get credit for referrals! ;)

Sometimes life can be so bittersweet.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds myself in situations where I'm both happy and sad at the same time.

Take today for example. There are many opportunities for my hubby to work overtime at his job. And there are usually times there are so many other guys that want it, there is a list and you are offered overtime based on when the last day you worked OT was. Someone who worked more recently gets put toward the end of the list. Hubby usually doesn't know if he will get it `til maybe an hour or so before he has to go in- guys have up `til an our before the shift starts to call in sick, so that greatly effects the amount of overtime available. Hubby is on the list today for the 3-11 shift.

It's going on 1 and he has not gotten a call yet. They need to call him by 2 if they want him there on time.

I want him to get called- 8 hours of time and a half is VERY nice. But I so want a nice night with my family and husband. I have a movie we need to watch cause we need to return it. And I don't want to watch it alone.

We win and lose no matter what happens.

Do you ever find yourself in those situations???

If I had a million dollars......

What a fun idea I found over at Romance in Writing!

Sometimes it's fun to dream and think about all the things we do if we were filthy rich!! (After feeding the poor, curing the sick, and saving the planet, of course!)

Here are my top 5!!

I'd buy a house like this:



With a closet like this (filled of course!):



I'd take tons and tons of dance lessons:



I'd go to every single show these guys put on, no matter where in the world it was:



And I'd visit this place at least 3 or 4 times a year:



So what about you???? What would you do??? Post a blog on your page and comment here so I know to go check it out!!