I’m not going to lie – I published (and will publish again) my book for cash. Considering the only job I’ve had in the last fifteen years is a paper route, what else am I to do? But publishing, and to make cash isn’t why I write. I do that for me and because I can’t not write down the things that are constantly coming into my head. So much of the stuff I see and hear in life, the stuff I feel too, inspires me.
And, of course, the stuff I see other people feel. I’ve wondered why I write romance. I don’t read a lot of it. I’ll often read books about relationships, but I don’t devour Avon’s publications like many do. I think I’ve come up with why I write it though. Psychology and love. Feelings. For me, writing about love is a passion borne of countless fantasies, inspired by some of the greatest love stories ever told. I’ll never write a bodice-ripper, nor anything shallow. I could, but I won’t. Because for me there has to be something deep about a story. Something… something disturbing. Something that will pull on my heartstrings, or make me laugh or cry or cringe. And yeah, sometimes the things I write make me cringe. But I only write them if they are “true.”
In the meantime, there’s the other stuff I do not-for-cash. Being a mother. I think the only reason we stay-at-home moms don’t get paid is because not even the 1% could afford us. Take my today for instance: I’ve dealt with a behaviorally challenged teenager who has beat up the dog, pounded my cell phone on the kitchen table, broken one of his movies, hit me, and then sat on my lap for cuddles when he found out he couldn’t go for a ride on the city bus. I drove the other kid to a movie and back, played “Uno” ’til I was seeing double, and changed a bed because the dog peed on it. And how much money did I make for all this? Same as I have for the last fifteen years.
Nothing.
How much cash do I deserve?
All of it.
Ha!
But then I don’t ask for much.
This humble post is brought to you by Stream of Consciousness Saturday. Click here to find out more: https://lindaghill.com/2016/08/12/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-august-1316/
August 15, 2016 at 8:42 am
It’s a tricky thing when you question your work over what you’re paid. I never could get into it. Work should be satisfying and it should sustain life, not become it. But then, I’m one of those bizarre people who never could sit still, and never equated success with money, so what do I know? 😉
I hope your novelette does well, and I’m sure your novel will. 😀
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August 16, 2016 at 7:51 pm
I equate success with food, actually. 😛 If not now, then if my kids ever move out and I lose their disability money.
Thanks very much, Joey. Though if marketing the novel goes as well as the novelette has so far, I’m doomed to obscurity.
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August 16, 2016 at 8:24 pm
Oh. Well maybe when some of us have read it, you’ll get more publicity.
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August 16, 2016 at 8:42 pm
I do suspect I’m being impatient. 😛
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August 16, 2016 at 8:50 pm
I think so. And premature, because most books don’t instant anything. Most are 2-3 years boom after publishing.
You’re good. 🙂
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August 16, 2016 at 9:36 pm
Really? I wasn’t aware of that. I’ll have to spend more time with statistics in the future.
Thank you. 🙂
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August 14, 2016 at 2:09 pm
What a day. Yes you should have all the money (and give a little to the dog)
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August 14, 2016 at 9:08 pm
You really think monetary bribery would help? I’ve been giving him dog biscuits all this time…
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August 14, 2016 at 9:12 pm
I would stick with them.
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August 14, 2016 at 10:51 pm
Yeah. I just realized that if I’m broke, I’ll be out in the yard searching for coins…
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August 15, 2016 at 11:42 am
Ha ha ha.
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August 14, 2016 at 12:19 pm
It is not easy being a mum and dealing with a child with behavioural difficulties is especially difficult I know.
I take my hat to you Linda and all the other stay at home mum’s. It is bloody hard work with hardly any thanks.
Good luck with your book, I hope it earns you tons of cash!! 🙂
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August 14, 2016 at 9:07 pm
Thanks very much, Judy. 🙂 Your words are encouraging.
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August 14, 2016 at 11:39 am
All your effort should be financially rewarded!! 🤑
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August 14, 2016 at 9:06 pm
Indeed! (Bank account deposit details to follow. haha 😉 )
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August 14, 2016 at 8:34 am
Moms are number one. When people would say to me “oh, your wife doesn’t work?” I would just look at them and shake my head. Of course she works!
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August 14, 2016 at 9:04 pm
Good for you, Dan. And thanks on behalf of all moms!
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August 14, 2016 at 7:06 am
Linda being a mother is the most important job in the world. No help, no training,no thanks get it wrong and you pay, you pay woo do you pay. But we do it without question we do it for love. You do it well! You also write brilliantly I hope you earn loads of cash!!! ❤
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August 14, 2016 at 9:03 pm
Thanks so much, Willow. Mothering should come with an instruction manual! haha. 😉
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August 15, 2016 at 4:38 am
It’s the most important job we ever do and there is no training no degrees and not much help!!!
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August 16, 2016 at 7:51 pm
True!
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August 17, 2016 at 3:36 am
Yes!!
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August 14, 2016 at 1:14 am
Well said Linda.
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August 14, 2016 at 9:02 pm
Thank you, Paul. 🙂
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August 13, 2016 at 11:36 pm
Ha! I love this. They couldn’t afford me, either. Ah, motherhood, the second oldest profession.
I’m so glad you are able to write and I pray you get a windfall.
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August 13, 2016 at 11:42 pm
It’s only second because we don’t get paid for it! We deserve to be first!! We’re number one! We’re number one! C’mon, say it with me! We’re number one! 😀 😉 😛
Thanks, my dear. We all need our escapes, don’t we? And yeah, I’ll be buying a lottery ticket next week. haha.
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