Saturday, March 15, 2014

Being Murphy's Bitch



I feel like Murphy’s Law was made specifically for me.  Today I’m laughing about it, but a lot of the time I turn the air blue with profanity.

It never fails.  I find an empty spot on my calendar, a couple of weeks in which absolutely nothing is going on.  I mark the end of that two weeks as a book’s release date.  This gives me plenty of time to format, gear up for promotion and marketing, and all the other little details that come with publishing something new.

And then as release day nears...BAM. 

A call from my son’s teacher.  “We need to schedule a meeting.”  And all she and the rest of the special ed support staff have available is a day the week before release.  Maybe even the day of!  Then his behavioral specialist re-schedules a consultation right in the middle of everything.

A family emergency arises.  Someone is getting divorced.  Or lost their job.  Or is in the hospital.

My mother suddenly decides this is the time to drop by unannounced for coffee every day.

Something major breaks in the house, or the car needs a repair. 

I tell you, it NEVER fails.  Somewhere, the being in charge of scheduling my life is cackling wildly every time I pick a release date for a book.  All I can do is sit there and stare at my calendar and whimper, “Are you f-ing kidding me?”

Life happens.  And it only seems to happen whenever I decide to put a new book out.  That’s just the way it works.

Re-releases are turning out to be no different.  I have no control over when the contracts on my first books run out.  Due to Kalquor’s increasing popularity, I must get those particular books re-released ASAP.  As you might have guessed, things are already popping up around the re-issue date of Alien Conquest.  I am watching and shaking my head as the phone rings of the hook, people come for spontaneous visits, appliances break down, specialists change my son’s schedule, and my extended family’s drama goes into high gear. 

Murphy, you merciless son of a bitch. 

Don’t worry though.  I knew this was coming.  I’m laughing it off these days.  What the hell, I can rest when the book comes out and ready myself for the next time.  Oh shit, that’s next month with Clan, Honor, and Empire.  I’m supposed to re-release Unholy Union in April too, and I haven’t even begun an editing run on that.  Well, damn.  I guess the fun will never end for ol’ Murphy. 

And there goes the phone again.  Caller ID:  my son’s school.  Sigh.

5 comments:

  1. Life can be a bitch, but know your loyal fans will wait for your books as we always do :0) Hope life is less stressful.for you soon and I tip my hat to your being a good mom and putting your son first, they grow up so fast, and soon it will all be memories. Good luck

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  2. There is comfort in expecting the unexpected! Glad you've made peace with your dead lines going haywire. :)

    Every six months my husband has online training courses to review new technology, products, and new procedures. He always waits until last minute to do them, and he's always shocked when something goes wrong with the internet, our router, modem, or computer. Every time. And every time I remind him, that this happens every time and he doesn't believe me.

    I'm going to start recording each time it happens and make him sign off on it. Then when I remind him he wont be able to deny it's Murphy at work!! :)

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    1. Good luck with making him see the light! My hubs is Mr. Last Minute himself. You'd think they'd learn. :P

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  3. Very true! Every time I plan anything it never goes as planned!! And when I don't plan, thing seem to fall into place, very maddeningly when that happens. I guess you are out of luck Bc your career is full of deadlines and timeliness, no way around it!! From my prospective, I think you are an excellent multi-tasker and is very refreshing when you share your ups and downs!

    Sometimes I think I forget that you are a normal person and not just the Tracy St. John. Thank you for sharing with us. I love your books and in between reads the clan beginnings are my go to books to re-read!

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    1. I feel like I'm running full tilt and losing ground most of the time, lol. And yes, I am horribly, mundanely, ridiculously normal...at least on the outside. In my head, however... ;)

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