Welcome Back Guest Lynn Cahoon

I’m not sure where Lynn and I first met, but I always love seeing her at events. She’s hardworking, funny, and insightful! Deep Fried Revenge is the fourth book in Lynn’s Farm to Fork Mystery series.

Working from home – a novice’s report.

[image error]To give you some background, yes, I am what others would call a full-time author because I write so much during the year. This year, I have 8 releases. However, I still have my day job. Financially, I could replace my day job with my author earnings except for one thing – insurance.  Well, two – bills for toys like the side by side and the RV. Therefore, I stay at the day job. (Modify the 7 dwarfs song – I owe, I owe, so it’s off to work I go…)

At the beginning of March (or before the world changed), my schedule was as follows: work 7:30 – 4pm with at least an hour to two-hour commute back and forth. The author time fell between. First thing in the morning (if I got up on time and limited my Facebook scrolling.) First 15-minute break, lunch, second break, then finish the words as soon as I got home. Dinner and crash to start the routine again the next day.

I typically got 5-10K a week this way. Unless life got in the way. Like dinner with my husband. Or picking up the truck from an oil change appointment.

Last week was different. My governor put in a stay at home order. The day job had already set us up to work half time at home. Now, it was full time.

At home.

At my computer.

In my office. Alone.

Except for a cat and two needy dogs.

As I’m writing this, I’ve only had one day to practice, and I still had commute time that day. I went in and an hour later, I was home working. I took my lunch at my desk and carved out my break time for writing. The dogs kept me busy. “Time to go outside.  Or Hey, you’re home, can we play?”

This coming week, I probably not only have my dogs, but my husband at home as well. Maybe they can entertain each other. I’m doubtful.

On the other hand, I’m hopeful. I think it’s a great test of not only a full-time author life, but also for my ability to eat healthy at home. I snacked on fruit all day at the office. Can I replicate that at home? Can I get my words in during what used to be my commute time so when I turn off the day job, I can also turn off the author gig? Or at least work on something more fun than a word count. Like marketing meme’s? Or planning my world domination of the cozy genre? (Insert evil laugh here.)

I’m not a change for change sake kind of girl. I like stability in my life. My first ‘real’ job I stayed in eighteen years. Just about the same amount of time for my first marriage. I know I’m going to be a little stressed with this change.

I’m also grateful. Right now, I still have a day job and money coming in to work on my retirement plans. I still have insurance. I still have food (and toilet paper.) And I still have my imaginary friends to keep me company as I write their stories.

I know I can do this. Okay, so I’m pretty sure.