So now that I have published a book, I feel like I am trying to merge two identities, and things might get a little confusing. So I want to have this post explain a little bit about what is going on for any new travelers to the squeaky world of Jess and Paula.

My name is Jessica Smith. I publish under a pen name of Paula Jean Ferri. The two names are interchangeable in my mind though. While I was born as Jessica, around the age of 17, I developed a new lifelong friend, who I affectionately call Paula. Her name is a little more searchable than mine is. Besides, I probably wouldn't have had anything to write about without her, so she became the author.

Feel free to wander the blog and discover a little more about Paula's antics. I am also on Medium writing as often as I can between my three outlets (books, blog and Medium). I would LOVE to hear more about you and any questions you may have. Please send an email to Paulajeanferri@gmail.com.

Last, but CERTAINLY not least... I can't thank you enough for visiting!! I LOVE that you are here and hope to see more of you! Be sure to keep up to date on my website:

paulajeanferri.com

Back at It!

Hey friends!

Things have finally settled down a little bit in my life. Mostly. Our water heater had a leak in it while we were away from the house, but all things considered, we had the best case scenario and we took care of most of it yesterday.

Which means today I am back at it! I've already been to the post office, drawn up an invoice for books to be in a traveling book trailer (that will also be at the Reader's Escape!) and purchased a few gifts for the Escape book boxes. 

Things are moving right along with Madamn and I love how well things are finally starting to come together! 

I should have it to beta readers in mid-July and ready to go in time for me to focus completely on marketing and promotion for the release day!

I'm just so ready for it to be done. As much as I love this book and this process, it has been a long time coming and I can't wait to start on the next project with my husband!

What Day Is It??

Remember how I quit my job and last Friday was my last day? While this past week has been very full and fulfilling and I've been able to make so much progress on my novel and in business in general... I actually almost forgot that today is Saturday and that I needed to do a blog post!

I'm actually really proud of myself right now. So now that things are more free and flexible, I might be posting more often. 

Maybe not, we will have to see.

I will for sure continue to post every week, but it may not be strictly on Saturday anymore since I obviously can't remember what day of the week it is anymore. 

But this week has been very special in a lot of ways and very hard in others. 

I've loved having a full week with no job to attend to, how much progress I've been able to make on Madamn, being able to relax and spend time with my family. The hard part is that my family has been in a bit of emotional turmoil.

It's been so good to be here for the support and to support my family as well, since this would be happening regardless of where I am, but it's still never easy to watch people you are close to struggle and suffer. 

But I have still managed to write a few new scenes and been able to do a few edits, as well as other important aspects of running a book business, while being here to support my family.

Honestly, that is my favorite part about being a writer. Knowing that I have the flexibility and freedom of time to do what is needed to support those I love and be active in the community.

I Survived!

Whew! What a week. To have a full moon in a customer-facing job and your last day be on Friday the 13th was a bit of a challenge! But I finally made it and am free to schedule my days much more freely.

Working full time this close to a book launch has been a challenge, but I'm excited to see how things are finally able to progress.

Because I'll be honest, there hasn't been much of that lately.

At least not near the level I need it to be. I'm so excited to know that it's going to get so much better. This weekend is going to be spent in recovery, which does actually include cleaning my house. It's hard to relax when I have dishes in the sink that need to be washed and laundry that needs folding.

But then the real work begins and hopefully you will be seeing a lot more of me online so that I can finish this novel and really get the word out for the launch in August.

With all of that said, this is going to be a short post so I can get to it!

Have a great week! I know I will!!!!

What A Week!

I don't know if your week was as crazy as mine, but I may have done something fairly drastic, but oh so good.

I quit my job. 

I'll be working part time for a local company, which means I might actually finish this novel on time. 

This week will be my last week at the bank, I'll take a few weeks off to visit family and start when I get back. Which I am incredibly excited for. I miss my family and this trip will be so good for my soul. As will this new job. 

This post is a bit late today because I spent most of the day doing work for the Bookmarked Literary Festival. Remember how I joined that board a couple of months ago? I spent today at a local festival's booth promoting it and connecting with local authors. 

The event is happening October 11-12 in Lander, WY and I'm so excited for it. I always meet some wonderful people and have a chance to sell a few great books. 

It's already late in the day and my husband and I have errands we need to run still, but things are certainly picking up speed and I can't wait to see where things land!

New Tic Alert!

So the whole point of this blog int he beginning was to record all the funny tics I have, so once in a while, when something new pops up, you get a new treat. Like just this morning.

After waking up, my husband started making breakfast. I had intended to come and help him, but didn't actually make it out to the kitchen until the meal was ready. 

When I came into the kitchen I apologized for neglecting him and said that I felt bad about it. Since I had been in the bathroom for a while, he was quite understanding, but also called me gross.

Paula came to my rescue and piped up with a, "nuh-uh!" tic. Which made us both giggle, but then my husband called my pet monkey bird (how he refers to Paula) as a liar.

But Paula's response had us both laughing.

She followed up again with the "nuh-uh!" tic, which would have been great timing, but what really put it over the edge was a new tic, where she squawked like a parrot.

The parrot squawk was new, but I've done it a couple of times this morning, so she is really starting to play up this monkey bird role my husband has put on her. 

Anyway, in book news, I have finished the new section I was writing and got through another chapter this week. I haven't made this much progress in a while, so I'm super proud of myself and plan on getting a lot more done now that the Kickstarter is out of the way.

The only other thing I have going on right now is to fill the Reader's Escape house for August! Which is sneaking up quickly. But at least everything else is planned!

Keeping Up with All the Things!

Whoops, I missed a week. I've been so good about posting every Saturday and the past couple of weeks have just been so hectic!

But good news, it will get better soon, I am officially going down to part time at work starting June 16th. I am so ready and it can't come fast enough. I'm already thrilled to have a 3 day weekend and get caught up on all of the things I missed that I normally do, like this blog post, finalizing the new chapter I'm writing and catching up on edits.

But great news, the Kickstarter has funded and I have already paid the artist for the 3 remaining scenes that will appear in the book!

I'm already starting to compile things that will need to be shipped out to backers. 

So while that is going on in the background, I'm focusing on selling spots for the Reader's Escape and book launch party. 

All things considered, I'm keeping my head above water, though it feels like just barely. With Monday off, I'm hoping to not only maintain, but move ahead of the game just a little bit. 

I feel like the momentum surrounding the book has died down a little, but part of that is feeling overwhelmed and not having enough healthy balance in my life. So I'm also hoping to do something fun with the bit of extra time. 

I might need some ideas, feel free to comment and share your plans for the holiday weekend and/or something fun you have done this week. 

With all of the working, it is taking over my life and I need something to bring a breath of fresh air into my life again.