I’d call it my day job, but it’s really my night job. I’m an emergency trauma nurse when I’m not being a mother, wife, author, promoter and publisher. To fit it into my busy schedule, pay the bills and still spend time with the family, I work double shifts-evenings/nights on the weekends.
This past weekend was one of the worst weekends I have had in 3 decades of being a nurse. This weekend I just barely managed to stop a critical event from happening and after a long, stress-filled, tense period I had to be instrumental in having a co-worker released from their duties on a permanent basis. It was the end of several months of errors and various problems with the co-worker, but I feel so bad about the event I can’t even describe it. It literally makes me ache inside to think about it.
It made me realize just how much I love writing and need to become a success at it, if only to make my rapidly approaching declining years less stressful. So, please, give this old woman a break and buy her books. I don’t want to have another weekend like last weekend!
Written by Laura Baumbach
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Ana wrote,
Jeez, not only I like your books (have all of them, read them over and over), but have to admire you too? A nurse, mother, publisher, shut. Where do you find any time to write? Kudos to you. I work part time (20 hours) and I feel as hardly have any time left. Okay you are making me feel 3 inches tall. I’m a petty, petty human being.
After reading a couple of your books (also Carolyn Gray, Chris Owen & Jet Mykles) and got pressured from my incredibly supporting husband I decided to start writing gay romance. Always felt like a freak for having people (I don’t know) constantly invading my head. After reading this blog, I finally realized, I wasn’t the only the only one. Yey! Many people find very object that I write gay romance. Hey I might never publish anything, I might suck really bad, but you girls gave me the shove I needed to try and do something I enjoy greatly. My day job to pay bills (and keep me social), writing is only for me. Thanks!
Please, please, please, do not stop writing (still waiting for Rick’s book). Whatever you write, I’ll buy. I don’t even look at the title, your name is enough for me.
Sorry for the long prattle and any spelling errors (never going to get the hang on this language, darn it).
Link | September 5th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Sophie wrote,
Laura, I have a lot of admiration for you and all the authors who have to have a day job. Having
Link | September 5th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Sophie wrote,
Laura, I have a lot of admiration for you and all the authors who have to have all the responsibilities you do: a day job, mother and wife. Of course, you had to go with a tough job (ER nurse) as well as having another job project on the side (publisher) WOW, that is a lot!
As a manager, I have had to be involved in HR situation with co-workers and/or employees (including termination). I don’t want to preach to you but rather give you the support I have often received from my co-workers in the same situation. Before a relationship between an employee and employer is severed, the employee is always provided with an opportunity to learn and improve. If the improvement is not there, then it is not the place for the person to work at.
You are a nurse so probably was your co-worker. Lives are at stake. Your patients are probably this much better if the other person is no longer there. (sorry, I can sometimes be a cold b*@#h, but it is the truth) I have often heard comments from ex-employees such as “it was time for me to go, they just made the decision for me…” I hope in the long run this person will feel the same way as well. I’m not a nurse, but I have a feeling that it’s not an easy job. If a mistake could have been as critical as causing a health issue to become more serious (or even death) I am certain this person did not want to be the one making that mistake. What you did this weekend was to look after your patients to the best of your abilities. I am certain they are thankful for that.
However, I feel sorry for them cause they’re about to loose you! I love your books and intend to keep on buying them!!!
Link | September 5th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Laura Baumbach wrote,
Wow, thanks for all the support. I don’t often stop to think about what I do day to day I just do them. I have to admit the day job (nights really) is what helps pay the bills and gets the kids the extras they say they will ‘die without!’ Not likely but I try to be a generous mom. LOL. My husband would be arching his eyebrows at that muttering “understatement, understatement!”
I love nursing, but I have to admit I’d really rather be at my key board pounding out my next sexy, sappy romance and making up sizzling manlove scenes. I can’t help it. I’m addicted to men.
The weekend made me feel bad on so many levels but my first priority is to be a patient advocate. I know I did the right thing, I just resent being in the position to have to do it. But, hey, life is not fair sometimes and I can handle it! I am Woman, I am nurse, I am tired! But writing a new story anyway!
Kisses to all of you for buying my books and reading my stories! I have dozens more waiting to get out of my brain! And I can always use more authors beside me!
Link | September 8th, 2007 at 7:58 am