My name is Ruth Cardello and I am an Indie romance author. I write about sexy, alpha billionaires and the strong women who tame them. Book 1: Maid for the Billionaire is FREE on Amazon.
Book 2: For Love or Legacy is now available.
I am a wife, a mother of three (the youngest just 17 months), and a teacher. I live a modest life on a small farm in Rhode Island chasing children, horses, chickens and my husband not nearly as often as he’d like. It’s a busy life, but a happy one.
So where does the dream of writing fit in? How do I promote my latest books when the baby finally falls asleep and all I really want to do is kick back and close my eyes? How do I make sure that everyone gets what they need – even me?
Schedules and compromise.
It’s easier for my family to value my writing time now that it is bringing in money, but to make that happen I had to learn to live in the moment. I stay an extra hour at work so I can leave unencumbered. I’m Mom until about 8:30 every night. Parks. Walks. Pony rides. Shared barn chores. If I’m lucky my husband makes dinner or gives baths so I can. It’s bed-time stories, prayers, and snuggle time with my husband then time to promote via social media. Morning starts two hours before the house wakes up so I can catch up on mail and plot my next book. Weekends are a blend of family and writing. Some weekends are all about hiding in the mornings and writing while my husband takes the kids. Other weekends are purely familyand I put the book out of my head.
Balance.
Is it worth it? Heck yes! My latest book is in the top 200 on Amazon and making enough money that I’m hoping to eventually be able to write during the day instead of teach. That would make everything else so much easier.
I couldn’t do it without a supportive husband. I’m boycotting all but essential housework until I am able to leave my day job. Laundry? My daughter. Vacuuming and dishes? My husband. No, my house isn’t immaculate anymore, but I’m not superwoman.
What I am is one very busy woman who was blessed with a fantastic family and recently was given a real shot at making it as an author. Who could ask for more than that?
A friend of mine gave me a bracelet that says, “Dreams become reality one choice at a time.” Are you dreaming of becoming awriter? Are you wishing you had more books out there? What are you waiting for? Today is the best day to chase that dream. Now stop reading this blog and get to work.
12 comments:
Hi Ruth, I love your vision and focus. And yes, the housework can wait! Thank you for guest blogging with us today.
Great blog, Ruth. Interesting for readers to see the reality of how it happens and a kick in the butt for writers. Thanks for guest blogging!
No one realizes the time and sacrifice it takes to write and then promote. Oh, the self-promotion just sucks the life right out of you. My grandson called from basic training last night. "Grandma, I'm writing a book." I wanted to cry. He has no clue what lies a head. Yet, having said all that, there is nothing as fabulous at taking mental images and deep feelings and turning them into a book, one word at a time. Ruth, thanks for giving us a peek into your busy, yet fulfilling life. I wish you much success. Thanks for visiting the Roses of Prose.
So glad you could be our guest today. thanks for sharing your vision.
Barbara
Sounds like you have your act together, Ruth. I could take lessons. Congrats on your success! Question for you - what promo steps do you think helped the most in getting those awesome sales numbers?
Thanks for all the nice comments :)
Jannine, I think putting book 1 up for FREE on Smashwords and then having it go FREE on Amazon made the biggest difference. 200,000+ people downloaded Maid for the Billionaire for FREE. Now, not all of them loved it I'm sure -- but it did encourage people to take a risk on a new author. Many good books are not found. FREE made my second book visible.
Ruth,
I think you've done a great job of figuring out how to get your name out there. I'm with Jannine. I need to take lessons. Great Blog!
Hi Ruth,
Welcome to the blog. Lovely to learn about your success. Good luck for your writing future. Sounds like it will be a great one.
Regards
Margaret
Good to know, Ruth. I've been thinking about publishing an Indie book for free or free for a while in the hopes that it would boost my other books. Sounds like it worked for you. Thanks for the great info.
Jannine, there is a new author to watch to see if it works twice. Calista Taylor just had her steampunk romance go FREE on Amazon two days ago. I confess I talked her into doing it. Her next book comes out soon. Check out Viridis. It's already #21..and headed up. It'll be interesting to see if her book 2 shows large numbers of downloads when she puts it up. I'm hoping it does!
Ruth,
That's great. I don't think it would be too difficult for you to talk anyone into trying Indie because your numbers are great. I will check out Viridis.
Maid for the Billionaire is simply a modern day fairy tale, something sweet and nice to dream and hope for.
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