“When it comes to luck, you make your own.” ~Bruce Springsteen

Hello ,

As we approach the one year anniversary of life-as-we-knew-it-taking-an-unexpected-turn, I've been reflecting on how much my work day has changed since the time before I ever heard the word Covid-19.

One year ago, like virtually every February for the last fifteen years, I was working overtime as a contract writer and curriculum developer. The not-for-profits that were my bread and butter clients all looked at their budgets in early February and would gasp, year after year, realizing they only had two months to complete work plans that they had to report on by the end of their fiscal year, which is March 31.

Since my expertise is developing in-person delivery of financial literacy workshops for at-risk communities, contracts after March 31, 2020 have amounted to a big, fat goose egg and a strained line of credit for the past 11 months.

After almost twenty years in my field, my most marketable skill is no longer needed.

The upside? I found myself with time to do something I'd been trying to squeeze around the edges of my work day—which also includes being a co-owner of a dynamic, start-up community for writers. The thing that now had room to breathe and grow? It was to write more novels.

I'm fortunate that my husband's job and income were secure, allowing me the grace of time to begin the work of building a new career as a full-time author. My dream job.

My husband will be retiring in exactly 357 days (we're counting). This next year can't go by fast enough for him. I, on the other hand, wish to slow down time since our secure income will be gone in 357 days, too. So I write. Seven days a week, even on my birthday. Thankfully, I love every minute of time at my desk.

Becoming a successful author requires one part creative focus, one part business effort, one part community-building, and a couple parts luck. I'm of the belief that at least some of that luck we can encourage to find us.

For instance, the fact that you're reading this email is an example of me creating luck since, when I sit down to write, it's for you—and here you are! Knowing you're there, especially on days that I have to beg the characters in my work-in-progress to talk to me, is what keeps my dream of never having to write another financial literacy workshop, alive.

I don't know a single person who hasn't faced a change this past twelve months in the way they spend their days. For some it's significant, for others less so. For some positive (if not challenging), for others less so. But for all, where we are today is not what we would have predicted as we welcomed in March 2020.

How about you? What's your story of change this last year? Is there a silver lining? Or maybe it's all silver. I'd love to hear.

Another author creating her own luck

One of the things I love most about being an author (aside from torturing my characters to make them earn their happily ever afters) is the way authors support each other. Nadine Hudson is an author you might enjoy reading.

Both her stand-alone story, Off Limits and her short story series boxset, Surviving Love and War are only $0.99.

And about 400 authors creating their own luck!

Please have a look at these places where authors are creating their luck by putting their books in front of new readers like you. Each promo has different books in it. You are bound to find at least one story that grabs your attention. And every time you click one of the links below, my reputation as a good community player goes up. (I'm lucky to have you on my team!)

.

.

.

.

I look forward to spending my Sunday morning cup of coffee reading your story about the way this past year has changed your days. And I'm hoping you'll have something to share that's an upside to the upside-down-ness of the past year.

love & hopefulstuff,

Making My Own Luck Danika

xo

PS—If you missed my email last week, or didn't get around to telling me the joy-bringing word you'd love to have added in my greeting to you, it's not too late to let me know. Hit reply and tell me. If you share your story, simply sign-off the way you'd love to be greeted.