Recently I revived an old book proposal I had dreamed up a few years back. At the time the idea was born, I was struggling financially, working about 70-80 hours a week, physically unwell, and my brain and heart weren't in much of a place for fun creative endeavors. Frankly, it was pure hell. I nearly lost everything including my home. So creative writing wasn't at the top of my list of priorities.
I am happy to announce that my labors are paying off. I don't like remembering those times because they were terrifying, but I wouldn't change a thing because everything I've got now, I've earned independently. Financial independence (the ability to support oneself on one's own no matter what the economic climate no matter what your relationship status) has always one of my top values. I haven't been able to kick the corporate job yet, but my business is beginning to expand and requires me to hire part time help (and I've managed to attract some kindred spirits to help at that!). I've actually been able to begin investing some of my income with my retirement and my daughter's education in mind. While some may consider this a late start in life, I consider it a fun game of learning. While I don't want to perseverate about how bad things were 5 years ago, I also don't want to ever forget how humbling the experience was because it's what drives me more passionately than ever now.
And it's what inspires me to rekindle my book idea.
I've always been fascinated by independent women with a kick ass attitude who beat the odds and created a great business, career, or product out of not-so-great circumstances. I suppose I am fascinated by these women because I understand the challenge of creating something new when one's brain is completely consumed with survival. (Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own - "a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is going to write" - rings poignantly with me as evidenced in my own dog-eared copy of the book.)
I have a room of my own now. So now, I want to celebrate truly independent women and tell their stories.
Here's what I'm looking for:
- women who of any age who are mothers and have created a wonderful business, education, product, idea, mission...whatever, when circumstances were extremely challenging and common convention said, "You can't do it."
- women who have the ability and courage to support themselves financially 100% (i.e., no alimony, no parental support, etc.).
- women with an outrageous sense of humor and ability to tell a compelling and inspiring story.
I have no idea if this project will ever be published or if it will just be a creative catharsis for me. I don't care. I have to write it. Contact me at jsaz@gmavt.net if you want to know more about the project.