Business is a Love Language, Right?

“Writing isn't paying me yet. Taxes murdered our savings account — adulting sucks a** and my energy went where it had to go. My clients. My business. The work that actually keeps the lights on right now. Even though, really I am so blessed to have a bad a** husband who sponsors my life and dreams. One day (as he says), he will be a stay-at-home husband.”

Running around like a chicken with my head chopped off this week. That’s just a phrase, but I would actually cry if I saw that happen. Ugly cry. Which is funny AF given that I spent almost two decades working in, with, or around surgery. F*ck I'm getting old.

You're getting this a little early. Josey and I are road-tripping to Missoula tomorrow night, then to Billings Friday for a two-day tournament. So I crammed all of this week's work — and honestly most of next week's — into three days. Lord.

Doctor appointments, dentist appointments, practice, the usual circus. Oh, and Josey's retainer is currently sitting on a paper plate at her dad's house. As I type this. Her perfectly straight, very expensive teeth better not move one single millimeter or so help me.

What I am genuinely, actually excited about — one of my best friends in the world, sixteen years strong, has a daughter who plays club ball too. Same tournament. We're sharing an Airbnb. Sixteen years is the kind of friend who knew you before you knew yourself. Cannot wait to hug her face off.

— — —

I'm also missing my dear sweet friend's funeral this weekend. We talked about my Linds girl in Double F*ck Cancer. That one just sits heavy. She deserved every single person who loved her at that park on Saturday, and I wish I could be in two places at once. I've been carrying that quietly all week.

— — —

The manuscript. One chapter. That's what this week gave me — one bloody chapter got cleaned up (ugh). Nine down in final format, ten to go. 28,708 words edited is where we sit.

Writing isn't paying me yet. Taxes murdered our savings account — adulting sucks a** and I stand by that — so the energy went where it had to go. My clients. My business. The work that actually keeps the lights on right now. Even though, really I am so blessed to have a bad a** husband who sponsors my life and dreams. One day (as he says), he will be a stay-at-home husband.

I like my business and love the art of business in general, the way some people love their skincare routine or their fantasy football.  Sometimes I’m a bit extra about all the things. The strategy, the sell, the pitch. Love all of that. My guess is a ton of writers want to crawl into a hole rather than sell themselves. The pitch is the fun part. After working in medical sales too long, the competitive action and need to win is a big part of who I am. And I know that's not nothing when it comes time to taking this book somewhere. And it will be happen. Just not this week.

Tomorrow after school I'm throwing Josey in the car, pointing it toward Missoula, and calling it a win: retainer BS, snacks for days, Dutch bros in hand, and all.

Thanks for following along with my crazy self. Y'all are the very best.

MANUSCRIPT STATS

✅ 28,708 words edited using a 4-phase approach.

✅ 9 chapters in final format.

🔄 10 to go bitches.

💸 Taxes suck. Business is keeping the lights on. The pitch, will be legendary (eventually).