You Have To Keep Going…No Matter What.
I’ve wanted to make a post for a long time, but writing all day, every day–both for putting food on the table and for Wanted Hero, it’s easy to get burned out. I just didn’t know what to say.
In the end, all I could think of is: be real. Don’ try to say something…just say something.
Ok, here goes. Life is kicking the snot out of me. Most days it’s a challenge to find my way into the land of Wanted Hero. Oh I get up at 4am most mornings and write for hours, don’t get me wrong, but my heart wants to move there, live there, write there with every breath…but the harder I try, the harder life attacks me.
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Read MoreParenting Tip: Give Your Kids That Fighting Chance!
Don’t make that mistake with your children. We often forget that life is not the same for everyone: our capacities vary, as do our experiences and the lessons we learn. As parents, we have the PRIVILEGE AND HONOR to wade the battle against this world in behalf of our offspring to give them a head start. To take that extra blow that would fell the best of us.
No human was designed to live life alone. Yes, they’ll make mistakes and choose paths other than the ones you point out for them. It frustrates you, I understand. Truth is: they’re most likely following the example you set with your own parents. Consider it poetic payback. Take a breath and remember: they’re WORTH it!!!
Today I say:
Ok world, you want to step on me? That’s fine, I can take it. Just know that when you pick on my kids, they won’t stand alone. Not only do I have their back…you gave me a hammer and taught me how to hit back.
Dedicated to my kids. I love you & dad’s coming home today =)
…now go out there and raise a better generation.
Read MoreSafe and Sound
Thank Goodness Life is Hard!
We couldn’t have done this without help. The moving, the moving….did I mention the moving?
Thank you all for the help you gave during this stressful moment in our lives. We are safe and sound within the home of my dearest friend, who welcomed us with open arms. That’s saying a lot when his lovely house in being invaded by 10 kids, 2 adults and Grandpa. We have 2 lovely bedrooms upstairs and we’re together, safe and warm. We’re grateful.
A friend also helped me get a freelance writing job (thank you Tim and Sarah), which will help as the next Wanted Hero book is written. Evan and Leilani are still up north, Leilani working to pay off her car by next week and Evan, bless his heart, sleeping on Uncle Bob’s floor to watch over his sister while they are away from me. Love those kids. Evan has had the support of the Board Game Designers Guild of Utah while he works on his Trench Wars game, with game shops already setting up demo nights through my brother Jordan (thanks BRO!).
What has touched my heart the most, however, is the love of this community down here. It didn’t hit me until after we arrived that many of our dearest friends had moved this far south over the past 18 years. In just 3 days we have bumped into many familiar faces, smiling and grinning, and arms wrapping around us, telling us how much we have been missed. Wow. What a blessing. Even as I write this, an old friend of Kathi’s rang the doorbell for the first visit in nearly a decade!
So what’s the next step in this new adventure? Well, the focus is always the Wanted Hero story, while working any job I can find to pay back those who have helped us…then onto finding another home. It all balances on the story catching on and selling, which includes the games based on the stories. It’s our future. We know it takes time and so we endure and work as diligently as we can, praying for the best while being ever-so-grateful for the mercy of others.
Oh…and one other thing.
I know you’re having a difficult time as well…but don’t give up.
You know who you are. Yes,…you.
Life has hit all of us and I know you’re struggling just like us, though in your own way.
Don’t give up. It may be hard, it may be painful and you might not know what to do…but don’t give up! Have faith, have courage and take that next step. Be grateful for everything, good and bad (as crazy as that may sound) and I promise you that all will work for your good.
Remember that you’re loved. You may not feel it, but you are. Even if it’s only by me.
Don’t give up.
Talk to you soon.
-Jaime
On to a new challenge
Thank you all for the lovely words, the kind offers and prayers. It’s helped a great deal, but it looks like the forces at work have other plans for this family and we are having to say goodbye to our home. We get to see what it’s like to sleep together in two bedrooms on the floor, until we can change our circumstances. Thirteen of us.
…that also includes an aged Grandfather.
This is going to be interesting.
Some of you have asked how the book sales are going and I appreciate that question. Even received an email an hour ago from David Farland asking how the sales were going. Here’s what I told him:
Book sales are slow to none right now. People are leery of first time authors and self-published ones especially, but we continue to contact book bloggers and send out eBooks for reviews and the input/reviews we’re getting back are pretty good. Only sold a few hundred at most so far, about 100 of those being by my own hand (physical copies I bought, then resold). I’m new to this, but getting a forced education.
A bit discouraging sometimes, but I get over it and keep pushing every day. My time is coming. Just have to keep going.
The difference between me and most newbies (I’m assuming this here) is the circumstances. When we attended a writers class, Kathi and I heard a lot of ‘wouldn’t it be nice if‘…or ‘if I ever get‘…whereas I’m looking at this as ‘I will and must make this happen to feed my children’. We had a good measure of success with the comics–so I know this works. It’s not a belief or a hope…I know this stuff works. It’s a matter of time.
My challenge keeps coming back to doing this on a prayer. We saved pennies (literally) to get the 2 proof copies of Prelude. Then I sold a proof to a fan to pay for the first set of 25 books (he bought it for $135). I sold the books signed for $10 each, then bought 50 on the next round. It’s been tough and slow…but it works.
It’s also keeping us humble, but we’re learning. And hey–it DID help me buy some diapers once! LOL
So where is this all going to lead? I’m not really sure, but I’m excited to get there. I’ve spent 42 years preparing for this.
If you haven’t read Prelude to a Hero, Demoni Vankil or seen our new website, please do. Tell a friend. I think you’ll enjoy the story.
…and wish us luck!!
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