It's my Write-a-versary

Three years ago was my very first day as a full-time writer.  After many, many years of bosses (some great, some not-so-great, some pure evil), I struck out on my own.  I knew I had a contract coming my way for a nice chunk of change, and I knew it was now or never.

So I gave notice and packed up my emergency makeup, my snacks, my photos, and the little cup where I kept spare change.  I said goodbye to a lot of folks and tried not think to had about whether I was crazy to quit when the stock market had lost 40 percent of its value and I hadn't actually signed said contract.

It is so nice to be free of the crazy BS - reorgs, reviews, meetings with no purpose, people agreeing with a stupid idea because the person who presented it is their boss.  No traffic, no pantyhose, no paying for coffee (unless I want to), no crazy bosses, no waiting for the elevator, no "metrics."

It's not all sunshine and lollipops.  I've got health benefits from my husband, and everything else I pay for out of pocket (like retirement) or simply don't have.  I net out less than I did when I worked full-time (but I was well-paid).  There have times when I have done the math and wondered exactly how we were going to pay the mortgage.

But you know what?  It has worked out.  I've had a bunch of books out:  Face of Betrayal, Hand of Fate, and Girl, Stolen.  Heart of Ice and The Night She Disappeared are in the works.  I've got contracts for four or five more.

And I am so much happier!! All day long I get to kill people (or at least make them worried they might be killed) and it is so much fun.