I have something very serious to tell you. I have been thinking about this for a really long time and I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to break the news. Oh boy this is hard. I don’t even know how to tell you this. You all know I love this blog and how much I adore all of you who are here reading it every time I put some words out there. In all honesty though, it’s been hard lately, this writing stuff.
Between the recent herpes outbreak, taking a ride on the Character Assassination Carousel, making an appearance to help my friend Allison over at motherhoodwtf?, and having one of my favorite posts ever being published on Mamalode, it’s been quite a couple of weeks around here. Throw in our upcoming free parenting webinar by Amy of Positive Parenting Solutions and it’s been crazy busy around here. Don’t get me wrong, they are all very exciting things (well, except the herpes. Who ever wakes up and says OH GOOD, I have HERPES?). I love helping friends out as often as I can and one of my personal goals is to be published elsewhere. It’s part of my plan for total world domination. But I’m not gonna lie to you. I’m tired. My brain is tired. At times my heart is tired. I know, you are probably saying “Tara, suck it up buttercup. We are all busy, you aren’t special.” To that I say good gravy you are right. It is time to put on my big girl panties and get over it. It still doesn’t change the fact that my brain is giving me a big fat finger lately when it comes to having logical thoughts.
When I think about what to do here, I am torn. This blog is my outlet but some things I’m afraid to write about, some things I write half a post and then I re-read it and think…oh boy, this sucks. Some things I just know are repetitive and boring and overdone. I don’t like feeling afraid of what I write about. I don’t like feeling like I can’t publish something because I’m scared of the backlash I might get. I’m not one who enjoys using a filter out of fear and it seems like these days I have to use my filter more than I really like to. I know this is my blog and I should write about whatever I damn well please, but you all know how vicious people can be.
That makes me start to question if this is all really worth it. If I am afraid to write what I want to write, then why am I here? This is just silly. Should I just fold up shop and go back to venting to Farmer Bob, even if he doesn’t listen all the time? Do I really want to give up the community that we have built over on Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest? Something has to give around here, so you know what I decided? Are you in suspense? Do you want to know my decision? I think you do…
HELL NO I’m not giving all this up!!! Were you scared for just a minute? Please tell me your heart skipped a beat, just one. You guys can’t get rid of me that easily, are you kidding me? I guess in a way I’m kind of like herpes. Once you have me, you can never get rid of me. Things may be calm for a while, but if you just sit back and wait I will flare up on you and BOOM, I’m back with a vengeance.
So…what to do, what to do???? Well, how about a book? I’ve had quite a few people *editors note, more than one constitutes the use of the phrase “quite a few”* ask me when I was going to write a book. WHAT???? A book?? Are you crazy? You aren’t, but I am. That’s right, a book. Let’s do this.
I have to be honest, it is not just MY book. The thought of writing an entire book on my own right now makes me want to vomit. So much pressure to be good, and grammatically correct, and proper. Blergh. Blergh. Blergh. So here’s the deal, I was asked to contribute to a book. That’s right, someone besides my mother likes me enough to actually want to publish me in their book. A real book on paper, with a cover. I don’t know that I really believe that it is happening, and I may not until I have a physical copy of the book in my own hands, but I signed papers and everything so something is going down. I may have signed over my kids or my house, but that’s still something.
All I can tell you is that the book will be amazing and hilarious. So many fabulously funny writers contributed to it like my very dear friend The Underachiever’s Guide to Being a Domestic Goddess, People I Want to Punch in the Throat, and Bad Parenting Moments just to name a few. It is slated to be out mid-March so just stay tuned, I’m sure you’ll get tired of hearing about it. Just kidding on that. You will all buy it, and read it, and love it I am sure.
I’m on a book cover! An ACTUAL BOOK COVER! Look at all those awesome names! EEK!
Comments
So very glad you aren’t calling it quits. Who else would I rely on to dig up and furnish pictures of Johnny? And who else could I rely on to put into words what we’re all thinking? Congrats on being included in the book! You deserve it and the book will be better for your contributions.
Since I just recently found you, I was a little concerned; I love reading your stuff. Looking forward to the book. Congrats!
Lynette recently posted…Pay off debt with food? Yep, at Tacoma Public Library
You had my heart skipping a few beats. I dont know what I would do without you! It’s like you live at my house and in my brain! I love you guys!!’
I have been reading your blog for a while now and I identify so much with you! Love what you are doing and am so happy you will be continuing. Looking forward to the book! Thanks for all the laughs!
Congratulations!
PS. It’s nice not to scare someone that way before they finish their first pot of coffee! I would definitely miss reading your posts if you stopped
Sarah recently posted…Kids & Cameras
Can’t wait to join to in the book and right there with you barely hanging on to this crazy blogging life.
Yayyyyy!!! congratulations
I felt a little sweaty and nervous so i’m glad you’re in it to win it. Or whatever the kids say these days. YAY YAY YAY!!!
sue diamond-phillips recently posted…We Bought The Entire Five Below Store And The 2yr Old Shoplifted. And I Have New FAB Sunglasses That I Will Probably Lose Or Sit On And Break.
Big congrats on the book! It’ll be just in time to help me get over my “winter is really sucking this year” blues. And I’m sure you will have worked Johnny into it somehow.
And who couldn’t use a little more Johnny in their life? Well, my husband would say he doesn’t, but who’s counting him LOL?
Amanda Fox recently posted…The REAL Survival Guide To Parenting Teenagers (That Doesn’t Involve Killing Anyone)
You freaked me out a little there, my dear! So glad you are sticking around. And so excited for the book!!!
Dani Ryan recently posted…The real reason I wasn’t cast on The Amazing Race
It’s so lovely to see someone get the recognition they deserve! Job well done!!
Glad to hear this!
Ginny @ Goofy Monkeys recently posted…Trials of Toddlerhood
So happy you are included in this book! I’m so excited to read it with so many blog crushes involved. I’ve also had “quite a few” people ask me to write a book, and I laugh, because I think it would be horribly embarrassing to write a book and have about 3 people read it! For now, I will live vicariously through all you amazing ladies! Congrats, congrats, congrats!
Meredith recently posted…A Bittersweet Goodbye
So glad you’re staying in the blog business. The world would not be the same without you! Johnny
will be proud!!! Keep those unicorns in the kitchen and herpes in the shitter where they belong.
I’m honored to be rubbing around in those pages with you. Oh, is it just me rubbing around? *puts hand back in own lap*
hollow tree ventures recently posted…Weaning for weenies
I’m gonna throw up the day the book comes in the mail, both from excitement and fear.
*bowing*I’m not worthy…I’m not worthy….
Yay for ALL of us!
Michelle ~ You’re my favorite today. recently posted…Friday Favorites – Chicken Fried, gypsy blankets and Ken.
A big congrats on the book. Those pages will be filled with some awesome writers, but they are lucky to be adding your spunk. I know how it feels to be tired…to question if you can write something because of the backlash, but just think of people like Jon Stewart or Colbert who scribble hard outside the lines every night. I say, embrace your opinions and your voice as a writer. All the rest of us already do.
I have something to tell you too…..
You’ve been nominated for an award, check out my post for details!! xoxo
http://camomsworld.blogspot.com/2013/02/inspringme.html
Darla @ Mom’s World recently posted…Inspring…..me?
You scared me there for a minute. I thought you were leaving me. I was choking up. Whew! Thank goodness you’re only writing a book! Oh wait, that didn’t come out right.
The Sadder But Wiser Girl recently posted…The Snowmaggedon That Wasn’t, and Other Unfortunate Events
Congrats! It’s awesome when a great group of bloggers share their work in a real book. It’s exciting to be a part of that! It was on my bucket list to be published and I’m so excited it happened for you too.
xoxoxo Lucy
Lucy Ball (@LucyBall15) recently posted…Dear Google, I Think You Might Suck
Oh I need to get my hands on this book! Only just found your blog but I’m feeling all kinds of excited about it xx
Scarlett recently posted…Tales of the Surreal.
Woo-hoo! I’m glad you’re sticking around, and even more glad to read about your imminent print publication! Count me in for a copy. <3
Deborah the Closet Monster recently posted…“Am I in heaven already?”: On hospice and harpists
I love you. That is all. <3
I gave you an award Love Bug
Joni Holt recently posted…Inspiring Blog Award
Congrats! I just heard about this book from Dani @ Cloudy W/ a Chance. Sounds like an all-star lineup.
One Funny Motha recently posted…Love Hurts