What Are You Doing Tonight?

What are you doing this evening?

Ah, the classic question: “What are you doing tonight?” Well, if we’re being honest, my big plans involve… drumroll, please… staring at the ceiling, wrestling with my pillow, and hoping for a solid night’s sleep that doesn’t turn into an accidental hibernation. You see, I’ve been battling a sneaky sleep disorder that’s decided to crash my party lately, especially when stress decides to tag along for the ride.

Just the other day—or should I say, the other two days?—I clocked in a whopping 23 hours of straight sleep. No exaggeration. I didn’t even hit pause for a bathroom break or a quick snack, or more importantly, for my CKD – chronic kidney disease, stage 4 – brought on solely by 2 cases of COVID 19, no sips of water! (Thank goodness, I didn’t take the jab; that would’ve definitely killed me, according to doc. So, I’m lucky that way. I’ve got more time.)

Woke up feeling like I’d time-traveled, disoriented and wondering if the world had kept spinning without me. It’s frustrating as heck, because who has time for that? Life doesn’t come with a snooze button for responsibilities, right? And boy, has stress been fueling this beast. When my mind’s racing with worries, my body just shuts down like an overworked computer, forcing a full system reboot.

Speaking of worries, let’s talk about the good kind—the ones that come wrapped in opportunity but tied up with dollar signs. I’ve been blessed with some fantastic offers to help market my “Misty” book series. We’re talking book clubs eager to feature it, influencers ready to shout it from the rooftops, and marketing pros with killer strategies. It’s all so exciting! I mean, imagining readers diving into Misty’s world, discussing her adventures over coffee… that warms my writerly heart. But here’s the rub: these opportunities aren’t free. And I totally get it—talented people deserve fair pay for their hard work. No one should hustle for nada. The problem? My funds are tighter than a plot twist in a thriller novel. I’ve got a shoestring budget, and every penny counts.

So, which one do I pick for “Discovering Misty” series right now? The book club push that could spark word-of-mouth magic? The targeted ads that might land it in front of the perfect audience? Or maybe hold out for something more grassroots? Decisions, decisions—it’s like choosing your favorite flavor at an ice cream shop when you can only afford a single scoop.

And then there’s “George.” Oh, George. Meaning, “George and the Brave Eagle.” This next book in the series is calling my name, begging to be polished and published. Between you and me (and now the internet, I guess), we need to wrap up this series—it’s got so much heart and potential. But what comes after the final chapter? Self-publishing seems like the indie dream, with full creative control and no gatekeepers. Or do I chase traditional routes? I wish I had a crystal ball or a wise oracle to spill the beans. My GoFundMe? It’s sitting there like a patient plant, waiting for rain that hasn’t come yet. Not much momentum, but hey, every journey starts somewhere.

But enough venting—let’s flip this script to the sunny side. Despite the sleep marathons and financial puzzles, I’m genuinely pumped about these doors cracking open. It means people see value in my stories, and that’s fuel for the fire. Tonight? Instead of fretting, I’ll jot down some ideas for “George,” maybe sip some chamomile tea to coax a normal sleep cycle, and remind myself that progress happens one step (or one nap) at a time. Who knows—maybe tomorrow brings a breakthrough, a generous supporter, or that perfect marketing match I can swing on my budget.

If you’re reading this and have tips on affordable book promo magic or self-publishing wins, drop them in the comments! And hey, what are you doing tonight? Let’s turn this into a conversation. Sweet dreams, everyone—or at least, reasonably timed ones. 😊

Shirley