I’m joining up with other bloggers at Catholic Mom for Small Success Thursday.
This week’s small (and large) successes include:
1. Finished Three Income Tax Returns
Every year, including my kids’ forms, my mother-in-law’s return, as well as our business returns, I have about 14 (both Canadian and US) income tax returns to do. I’m very grateful for Turbo Tax! It’s like having your own accountant walk you through the process. I’ve completed three so far, four are close to completion, six to go!
2. New Book Proofs Arrived
After working hard on my fifth book for two years, it’s rewarding to see the finished product.
3. A Big Success
When I received the proof copy of my fifth book, and added it to my other books, it dawned on me that, with the publication of this book, it represents ten years of work (hundreds of hours) on five books: conceiving, writing the many drafts, editing, formatting and polishing. Total word count? 500,000 words. That’s a lot of words! 
If you would like to share some small (or large) successes, head over to Catholic Mom and link up!
Copyright 2014 Ellen Gable Hrkach
Plot Line and Sinker (Ellen Gable, Author) 
Dear Ellen Congrats on your fifth book. I wish you much success with it. My small success came last Friday with a story in the globe and mail about my mom. In the lives lived section. If you would like to read it go to Globe on line and life section and Google her name Gertrude Parsons Levy. It was such a joy to write this and to have it published. I have moved back to Cornwall and so I get go visit the Pilon family often. Blessings on your work, Joan Levy Earle
That’s great, Joan! I look forward to reading your article! God bless you…
Ellen, I am a newbie author, though I have been writing since childhood. Are your books fiction or nonfiction? Congrats on completing your fifth book; I know it is incredibly laborious from start to finish. I am completely inspired and somewhat baffled as to how you found the time to write AND publish 5 books while raising 5 boys?! I only have 2 young girls, and I find it incredibly frustrating to carve out time to write. Do share!
Thank you, Jeannie! My books are mostly fiction (the one non-fiction book actually took longer to write than the novels). When I first started writing, my youngest was three (he’s now 14). I was also homeschooling. I initially started writing during the day in the summer, after the homeschooling year was completed. One afternoon, I remember feeling “in the groove,” and particularly inspired. I was at my computer, really focusing on writing a specific scene for the book. My three year old came to me and kept patting my hand, saying, “Mom, Mom, Mom….” And, although I didn’t say it, my attitude was “Shut up kid, I’m writing a novel.” It was at that moment that I realized I could not write during the day or any time that my children needed me. However, I felt so passionate about finishing Emily’s Hope that I began writing at night when the kids were in bed or early in the morning before they woke up. It was very difficult! Staying up late was a sacrifice for me because I’ve always been an “early to bed, early to rise” type of person. Good luck with writing!!
Wow, Ellen, you must have had a lot of inspiration and energy! I confess I don’t have much of either these days, though I do know that God gifted me with a story He wants me to tell. I just don’t see how it’s going to all come together, but I have to trust Him. Like you, I am an “early to bed, early to rise” person, but I find myself getting household chores complete early in the morning, with maybe just a half hour or so when I can actually write (and before our 2 girls get up in the morning). Thanks for the well wishes! Blessings to you; what is your non-fiction work called?
Congratulations on your small successes, Ellen. Best wishes with the new book! Thanks so much for sharing your gifts.
Thank you, Barbara!!
Thanks for your comment, Jeannie! Looking back, I’m sure it was only through the grace of God that I got through those two or three years while my youngest two were toddlers. My non-fiction book is called “Come My Beloved: Inspiring Stories of Catholic Courtship.”
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Ellen, if I had to do 14 tax returns I would check myself into the nearest mental hospital and let somebody else do the job! Props to you for a great work of charity.
Most people don’t know how hard it is to write a good book. Add self-publishing to that and the time and effort involved is exponential. Your high energy and stick-to-itiveness is an outstanding example for all aspiring writers.
You’re very kind, Barb! Before I had the tax preparation software, it was a nightmare. Now, it’s just very time-consuming.
Ellen, they look like big successes from here. May God continue to bless the work of your hands.