And I finished writing the book. I’ve been working really hard for two and half years. I hang out in cafés, mostly Papillion in my hometown. The lattes there are rocket fuel for creativity and the foam is stamped with love. I posted about that once. It’s weird, sometimes I get on a roll and I can sit there for four hours clicking away on my laptop. I never think I’ll stay past two hours. The next thing I know, I’m running to the meter to add more time. And I’ll do that two times because I never believe I can write that long.
I get into the zone and rarely notice loud conversations around me unless it’s someone on their cell phone, that one BUGS me. Seriously, go scream at the contractor in the parking lot. The worst is when someone sends a text message using Siri. First of all, I don’t know how to do that and secondly, if I did, I wouldn’t tell Siri to ask Hubby what he wants for dinner for the whole café to hear.
After all that time in a coffee house, my office, I’m drained. I can’t face my laptop for anything else, not even online shopping. So, I read or watch Queer Eye on Netflix or the Warriors or The World Cup. Of course in between, it’s the usual job of living: grocery shopping, cooking, dishes and the gym. Repeat. Soon, that’s going to change. I’ll be an empty-nester in a couple of months. I will still do all the usual stuff it takes to stay alive, for two people and sometimes just me. But, I have to add a J-O-B to my life routine.
So, that’s what lots of people ask: what are you going to do? Plan A was to go on book tours and wear cute outfits. Writing a book takes a long, long time and I’m learning, fixing it up to publish is quite another long, long ordeal. There’s a lot of steps I have to take first, like finding an editor to whip the book into shape, make it all slick. Then I have to fix my mistakes and have it reviewed again. And then I have a bazillion more checkpoints like copyrights and registrations and blah, blah, blah.
After all that, I don’t automatically start handing out my book and collecting a nice check from a publishing house. The old fashioned way of getting a book on the Amazon shelf, where a publisher pays you, is out with the dinosaurs, almost. Unless I’m George Clooney or Oprah, the privilege of a big house publisher financing my kids’ college education is VERY remote. Publishers are P-I-C-K-Y.
I need a Plan B. And Hubby says, “Get Paid!” That’s probably a good idea given the college tuition thing and I really do want to wear cute outfits, if not for book tours, for a nifty new job.
In the meantime, it’s back to shoezle. YAY! I miss writing in snarky, casual lingo and incomplete sentences. I tried it in my book and my writing mentors slashed, slashed, slashed my chapters. I have to be a little more polished in a book, like dressing up for a wedding or a nice dinner out. I slipped some zingers in my book just to keep me sane.
Most importantly, I miss my shoezle people and your funny comments back. A lot of you are just like me, figuring out the next phase when the kids scamper off to the most fun time of their lives, college. I have ideas, some I know and some I don’t know. That’s how it’s going to roll for shoezle and me. I hope you enjoy the trip.
P.S. I seriously thought I would write for an hour and split. I fed the meter. Yeah, this is nice.
Celebrating the finish! It’s a bike-ish book and purely coincidence we both dressed in biking t-shirts.
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So excited for you what a journey. cant wait to see your name ona beautiful book jacket. Is that still whst they call it! U go girl! My forst is leaving for college one still in 8th so i have awhile but would love to do someehing now too just not sure what! 💗
Thanks Pam! Who knows, maybe we’ll discover our futures together. I’d love the company.XOXO
Well after all that What is your book about? Do you have a working title? I will have to watch your blogs for empty nest posts. My focus has been with clients moving into retirement – that is another mental, emotional and social shift.
Anticipaaa-tion. Slow reveal.;-)
Wow, congratulations! I am so proud of you. I can’t wait to read your book. I’d be happy to do anything I can to spread the news when it is ready so just let me know. For now, enjoy your boys and summer! xo…
Oh my gosh Dana! Thank you! You are one of my influencers. I wouldn’t be here without your encouragement way back during the kitchen tour. And here you are again!XOXO
Francie! Omg! How awesome! Is the book fiction or non fiction? I have missed your blog! The whole next phase of life thing does loom. I have spent the last 30 years working up the dang ladder. I can throw in the towel in exactly three years, a little scary thinking about that, not sure what that looks like. Hope you are well, your boys are such gorgeous young men.
Judi
Thanks! Non-fiction. It’s a memoir. Probably six months before any big announcements. I’ve missed my blog too. It’s GREAT to be back!
Glad you are back to Shoezle, Francie. I love your light sense of humor that gets to the heart of things. Empty-nesting takes practice to figure it out, for sure. Good luck with getting your book published. Can’t wait to see it on book shelves!
Congratulation Francie!
Love this post. Hope you are resting on your laurels, at least for a bit, before getting a J-O-B!!
Enjoy your summer-well deserved!
Joanie
Ha, ha. I’m resting on something…..Thanks for your encouragement. May need whisky in those soy lattes come August. (Sauv Blanc doesn’t go with coffee.)
I love your snarky insights! Always enjoy your blog.
LOL! I’m thrilled by your appreciation. Not everybody get it. Sheesh. And thank you for letting me know!
LOL – love your humor -always & want to keep ‘enjoying the trip’ with you. Can’t wait to read your book, & keep meeting for wine, cofee or whatever.
Thanks Linda. Definitely up for wine, coffee or whatever! That’s what great friends are all about.;-)
Can’t wait to buy your book and read it in its entirety.
Thanks Janet. You were a big help in getting the book started.
Congratulations Francie! I am so proud of you my friend! I love that you are doing what you love to do, making things happen and sharing it with us all. I am looking forward to what I know will be a fun and fabulous read!
Thank you so much Nicole! You have always been such a strong and positive supporter. I love running into you at the grocery stores. You always look fabulous!
Glad to see Shoezle’s back. And congrats on moving the book along. You are an inspiration!
Thanks Ellen! I have you to thank for keeping me on track and being true to myself. XOXO
Yay! She’s baaaaack. So excited about your book. What a huge accomplishment. I’m proud to know you!
Thanks Karen!!!! I’m proud to call you my friend too. Thanks for all of your encouragement!
Congratulations! I look forward to reading the finished product! You are an inspiration…I often look longingly at the seats in Pappilion wishing I had time to sit down and get my book ideas off the notes section of my iPhone and into books where they belong! Wishing you great success with this…xx
Leslie! You write?!? I’m so excited for you. I’m learning it takes A LOT of discipline to write a book. Can’t wait to read what you have to say!
Keep me on your list! Can’t wait to hear more about it! Pave the way on the Empty Nest for me too! One more year but loving my Juice Plus business! Lots of Empty Nesters and young Moms joining me. Good luck with everything!
Ha! I’ll do my best to pave the way for us empty-nesters. Fun time I hear.
She’s ba-ack! Sure missed Shoezle but it’s been worth the wait to follow you on your book journey. Looking forward to more sweet snark, and to seeing your book on the shelves! You are an inspiration, Francie!
Thanks Teresa! As you know, I couldn’t have finished that book with you, Joanie and loads of “Love Lattes” from Papillion.
What an accomplishment, congratulations! Can’t wait to read your book, and looking forward to more blog posts. Pave the way, I’d like to follow in your footsteps 🙂