Do you remember being on long road trips as a kid? If you were like me, you probably didn’t sleep much in cars, so you’d stare out the window for hours on end, letting your mind wander.

And every now and then, you’d look at the clock and try to estimate how much longer you had to entertain yourself in the back row of a minivan. You’d be so anxious just to get there that by the time you actually arrived at your destination, brought your bags full of toys inside, and sat down to rest, you just… didn’t know what to do with yourself.

That’s kind of where I’m at right now.

With Manuscript: Charlie of The Warden of Everfeld: Memento complete, and my editor looking over the last few chapters again for me, I kind of don’t know what to do with myself.

Sure, I could have started on the first of what will be two or three read-throughs of the manuscript, looking for minor errors or inconsistencies, but I gave myself a bit of a break this week.

I’ve filed my business taxes for 2017, and I’ve contacted a couple of book design services for quotes or with some questions.

That seems like a decent way to spend an “off” week.

But underneath the laziness, I’ve been sort of restless. Even though I think my book is ready for publication, or at least, close enough to ready that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, I’m not sure I’m ready to balance all of the logistics of publishing.

And I know, I know… I should just take it one step at a time, and I will. I work methodically, generally.

But right now, in this moment, it still feels a little daunting. Just let me feel… daunted for a bit.

I think a weekend of not doing taxes, catching up on the blogging world, and perhaps starting a read-through will do me some good. Working tends to distract me from stressing about working.

Goals for 3/16

1. Begin first read-through of WoEM, let’s say 10 chapters.
2. Buy ISBNs and bar codes
3. Communicate with book designers about pricing, service options, etc.
4. Get more sleep. I have been terribly sleep-deprived this week, and it’s entirely my fault. That probably doesn’t help the stress levels…

Steve D