As a mother, wife and writer I find myself constantly faced with decision after decision.  Should DD#1 do swimming or cheerleading again?  Should we have a salad with dinner or broccoli?  Should DD#3 have baby food yet?  What is best for DD#2, full day or half day Pre-K? Should hubby and I plan a long weekend or a whole week vacation for our 10yr anniversary?

And once those familial questions are answerewd or averted (which I am an expert at! — and not because I’m lazy, but because sometimes, its just too hard to make decisions that affect everyone without sitting on them for awhile) the writerly questions begin.  Should I work on this book or that one?  Should I read for fun or for work?  Does this plot work?  What about this character’s name?  GMC? Too much sex?  Not enough?  And then there’s the big one, when you’ve actually written “The End” — which publishing house do I submit to?  Or do I find an agent first?  Do I stick with my current publisher or step outside of my comfort zone to establish a new relationship, new readers, new ways of writing, new deadlines and ultimately to further my career?

When you start writing you have a plan.  A concrete plan, well maybe not so concrete, but a definite agenda of where you see yourself going.  Fellow mama and author, Renee Knowles has a great book, Savvy Business Skills for Writers: Nuts and Bolts, that talks about making career plans.  I suggest checking it out if you haven’t already.  So I’ve made my plan.  I know where I’m going, and I can see the end result on the horizon, I just have a few more miles (or maybe 100) to walk before I get there.  And along the way, I’m making a lot of pit stops, and doing some sight-seeing too.

I have seven contracts with my first publisher.  Six of my books have released and my seventh will come out later this year.  I made a decision late last year and decided to broaden my horizons.  To follow my path–get back on the road.  I was very pleased and excited last week to be offered a contract with another publisher–one whom I belive is an excellent fit for me, will bring in new readers and in the long run is the right move for the way I see my career progressing.  But in order to do that, I had to step away from the familiar.  I had to query someone else, which in essence is putting your heart on the line.  Just like in love and relationships, we writers get rejected–and hopefully for the sake of broken hearts everywhere, we get rejected a heck of a lot more than those seeking companionship.  Like new love, I’m excited, thrilled and exhilarated for the ride ahead, the unknown.

And its not to say that I haven’t enjoyed my relationship with my first publisher.  I have.  They’ve helped me to grow, they published my very first stories!  And I still have another story to release with them.  They’ll be in my life for a a long time to come. 

Someone once told me it’s okay to move on–move forward.  In life it’s okay to make new friends, it’s not like you’re ditching out on the old ones, you’re just opening yourself up to new experiences.  Your cup is being filled one drop at a time and eventually you might have a whole pitcher.  And just like that, I know it’s okay to move on to another publisher.  I liken it to when you have a second, third or fourth baby.  While you’re pregnant (or waiting for the adoption to finalize) you wonder if you’ll love this new baby as much as you love the other one(s).  Is your heart big enough?  Is there enough room?  But you find that your heart grows and you love them all unconditionally.  (And if you’re me you suffer for at least five minutes thinking what a horrible mother you are for even thinking you might not love your little cherub as much…)

I encourage you all to step away from your comfort zones and try new things.  You just might find something new you like.  (Don’t we encourage our kids to do the same?  Come on honey, just one bite of that potato, I know you don’t like potatoes, but just try it tonight, you might.) 

I’m thrilled for what lies on the horizon, not only with my career but with my family.  Everyday is a joy to travel through.  So in case you’re wondering…  Swimming it is, salad for dinner, baby’s getting some baby food, 1/2 day Pre-K (because I just can’t let go yet) a long weekend in Vegas!

Have you stepped outside lately?

Eliza Knight is the author of sizzling historical romance and time-travel erotic romance.  Visit her at www.elizaknight.com

Rating – You Gotta Read   

“One knows while reading the initial paragraph of Her Captain Surrenders, based on the description of Juliette and Nathaniel’s first meeting at the ball that this book is going to be a joy to read. Ms. Knight adds something magical to that fateful dance: not just the costumes and scenery which are so lush and colorful, but the interested look in their first glance, obvious chemistry in their initial waltz, and their spicy conversation all inspire that HEA conclusion. Perhaps it is her lyrical way of writing dialogue for her characters, or maybe just the fascinating characters themselves.

I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Knight’s writing style, it is very vivid and descriptive, she is detailed in outlining her backgrounds, the scenery colorful, even the locations seem almost alive. And while she does pay such detail to the background pieces of her story, the plot does not suffer, it is just as intricate without being complex. It is difficult to find an entertaining historical book, luckily Her Captain Surrenders is one less book to look for, and one book to add to the list of those to read.” ~ Mickey at You Gotta Read Reviews