Maybe I should be committed to an institution because I just quit my job. I’ve been a special ed teacher for the last twenty years. At the urging of my new husband, I quit my teaching job to focus on writing. Now, I don’t think I am so wonderful that publishers will beg for my work. I do have a handful of contracts to fulfill, plus a wonderful editor in Larianne. I do know something has to change if I am going to get any better.

I get about five hours of sleep every night. Those of you who are teachers know school doesn’t end at three. I often I don’t leave until five after arriving at seven. Often I had to return to help host some event. That left almost no time after fixing dinner, and sometimes squeezing in a trip to the gym, to write. Often I stayed up past midnight trying to create content on my latest WIP, often that content made no sense the next morning. Like most women who work outside the home I let all my errands pile up so weekends became a huge challenge to get everything done.

I walked into school with bittersweet feelings and resigned. I know Debbie Macomber’s story how she took three years off from her day job writing dilligently before anyone noticed. I don’t expect to be another Debbie Macomber, but I would like to improve my story-telling ability. I believe I will have time to attend workshops that before I never could finish. I pledge to be a better critique partner since I am finished moving.

It wasn’t too hard for me to quit since last year was the worst students population I ever had. Incidents included having my new glasses twisted, my room vandalized, receiving threats from parents, having my purse stolen twice. When I told my boss I was quitting he asked me why. I would have thought it obvious. Instead, I told him I had book contracts to fulfill, and one of the books hadn’t even been written yet. Who knew he would tell everyone in the school? Several employees are waiting for the first book in the series. I better edit it to death with my helpful editor. Now, I am truly, irrevocably committed.

The series is Rebel Hearts by Secret Cravings Publishing, and the first book is Undercover Rebel. Out on Kindle in October, in paperback February 2013.