How's it going out there? I know it's been a hot little minute since I did a full post. As a matter of fact, I think August was the last time. But I promised I would finally sit down and tell y'all what's been going on. So where do I begin, Chile?!?!
For the last six months, my life has been on a journey. I told you all about the blood disorder and the ER visit back in May. However, that wasn't the only major change to pop up in my life back then. In May, we were informed that the client my company worked for was pulling out of Jacksonville. Since they weren't offering a transfer within the company to the city I want to move to, I knew I would have to find a new job until Houston was available. They gave us 3 months to find new positions within the company. At the same time, they stated if they were able to secure new clients and we had the skills the client needed, we could potentially be kept on payroll. They secured new clients, I was interviewed and hired for a new position. It was to start almost immediately after the previous client ended. However, that job fell through and there went my full-time job. The funny, but not so funny, thing about that is I had already put in my resignation for the part time job right before I discovered the job fell through.
So, as of October 2, 2021, I am no longer working for someone else. If you read my post, Manifest Your Destiny, I talked about this very thing. I wasn't expecting it to happen this quickly, but here we are. I am officially a full-time author and graphic designer. And ya girl has been working! But I'll tell you more about that in a minute.
First, let me give y'all the quick recap of the health sitch... I completed my treatments at the cancer center for the blood disorder. Once I finished those, they told me I should be fine as long as I maintained a healthy lifestyle and met all my doctors like I'm supposed to. The problem with that is, with me not having a job, I don't have benefits. Which means, I don't have the insurance or coins to go to those doctor visits. So, keep me in prayer that I'm able to stay healthy in the meantime. Especially since I got sick again in July, RIGHT BEFORE MY BIRTHDAY!!!!! I was in the ER the day before my birthday but I was determined not to have to stay up in there when I was supposed to celebrating. Thank God, I was released the same day. Now, off the depressing, sad ish.
January's post, New Year, New Site, was talking about goals and goal setting. And although I haven't really kept up with all of mine... MOST of them... (But who's paying attention) I did make a personal, professional goal to put myself out there more: Network, promote my designs and my books, get to know the writers and readers in the black indie community. I am proud to say that I have been doing just that. I'm in several groups and communicate with many of the people I have met, mostly on social media, in this community. And it is a beautiful community to be a part of. The support is unmatched in my opinion. The fact that there are so many black women (and a sprinkle of men) that root for each other and promote each other without having their hands out in return makes my heart swell and proud to say I'm part of it.
My first step with that goal was joining the social media groups. But that's not all. In June, I participated in a virtual indie conference as a reader. Although I was in the audience, the host of the event invited author to pay for their work to be advertised throughout the two day event. I submitted to work to be added. Around the same time of that, I signed up for an in-person reader/writer event in Orlando. This time, it was as an author. The author/host of that event asked if I wanted to do one of the intimate sessions with readers and, stepping out of faith, I said yes. It was 3 1/2 days of books, learning, laughing, and networking with other authors (some of whom I've been becoming a fangirl of sorts) and readers. We had a big book signing and I sold more books than I have since my poetry book came out. I left that event on full throttle, ready to work.
I also became very serious about writing my first fiction novel in the last 6 months as well. I bought a "Written Agenda" by Mercy B. Carruthers, which has helped me organize my thoughts for my book. And as I type, I am halfway through with my book. I'm having to push my release date further than I wanted it to be because of all the other things that have happened lately, but I'm getting there. I've had a photoshoot and already started promoting it. So, the only thing left to do now is the book cover and FINISH THE FREAKING BOOK.
The other thing I've been busy with lately is my design work. One of the many ladies I've met in the black indie community actually recommended me to her sister to do some work for her. I felt honored that she thought of lil ole me as an option when we haven't even met in person. Like I said, these people really do support. It's so beautiful to see. I've down a handful of designs in this short period of time. (part of the reason I'm not further along with my book. My bad) And I lost everything on my hard drive in the process too. Imagine the devastation I felt with that blow in the middle of commissioned work on there. But, as my aunt said, it could have just been God's way of wiping the slate clean for me to start fresh. Gotta look at it in a positive light, right? But I got back on the saddle, and I'm back to my design ish. As a matter of fact, my family bought me a Cricut for my birthday this year and I have been going ham, dressing, and mac & cheese on that thing. (Yes, I still got Thanksgiving food on the brain) Because of that, I have been able to open my shop on my website. So, if you know anyone looking to custom shirts, cups, and soon mugs (the press is literally in the mail now) I am available.
In the last 6 months, I've been depressed and happy, sick and "healthy", working like a dog and lazy as a bum. My family has increased (my new niece was born 4 days after my birthday) and I have gotten to see most of my siblings, some twice this year. And that has NEVER happened as an adult. So, I all in all, I can say I am blessed and thankful for everything that has transpired. When I wrote that "Manifest You Destiny" post, I said to keep speaking your desires into existence until they are true. I am living proof that it's working. I'm not exactly where I want to be. But I'm on the right path and I'm getting there. You should try it if you haven't already.
See, I told you A LOT has happened. That's why I hadn't been able to get any posts done for 2 months. Tomorrow starts the last month of this year. The new site is almost a year old! Wow, it doesn't feel like it. Let's see how we're gonna close out 2021. Stay tuned for more updates. With the way things are going, I never know what's gonna happen next.
Until next time,
P.S. I finally got a tagline for my writer logo. Seeeeee!