So last week I quit my job. At least, I quit my day job. I went full-time with my own company, Trant Logistics, which I have been working at, in relative secret (at least from my old co-workers) since 2006.
Now I work from home. I set my own hours, which are 24/7, and I no longer receive vacations, but what the hoo-hah, it's worth it, right?
When I turned in notice, I said to my then-boss, You know that old Aesop's fable about the two dogs where one is on the leash, and the other is not? It goes like this, poorly paraphrased:
A starving stray meets a house dog on a leash. The house dog says, Come in, friend, and enjoy the warmth of my fire, and fill your belly on my food.
The stray dog says, I am hungry, and I am cold, but what is that around your neck?
Why, it's a leash my master put on me.
No thanks, says the stray. I'll keep my freedom.
And he walks away.
MORAL: Better to have lean freedom than fat slavery.
Remember, folks, that Aesop was a slave before a writer, and was owned, and shackled, and called someone master. So this is among one of his most personal and deepest stories, in my opinion.
So I am unshackled. I may become lean, but at least I am FREE!
Free to write. Free to publish. Free to earn more or less money as it suits me, or as need demands.
My goal is to make writing not just a pastime, but a viable source of income. I will write, and write, and write write write, embracing my freedom, and dreaming of the day, and chasing the day, and become each day closer to the day I am a full-time, well-known, world-class author.
Until then, I will rub the chafe from my neck, and heal the scar, and work to never, never again be shackled by the leash.
Because only dogs and humans view a leash as freedom.
What about you? Do you have dreams on which you have recently scored a victory, either huge or small or medium?
- Eric
Eric W. Trant is a published author of several short stories and the novel Out of the Great Black Nothing. He is currently working on his second full-length novel WINK with WiDo Publishing, coming May 7, 2013! See more of Eric's work here: Publications, or order directly from Amazon, or wherever books are sold.** BE A SUPER-HERO! BE AN ORGAN DONOR! **
13 comments:
I wish you the best of luck with your business. I was the owner/manager of a bookstore for over 12 years with 3 days off a year and 11 hour work days.
I found I did not own the business; it owned me. I pray that the freedom you have comes with enough success to pay your bills and pave the road to your dreams.
Roland
Congratulations!! I admire anyone who takes on writing full time. Not something I'd want to do. I've enjoyed the ride and the money, but it's not my destiny.
However, if I could make enough playing my guitar, I would consider doing that full time!
Yes, I have. Just not yet in the job arena. That may be a decision that is made for me. But I remember starting my own company in 1991. Began in the garage with $500 and eventually ran 15 years with 9 employees. Hmmmm. Sometimes I marvel that I even did that. You go for it Eric!
I would love to make my living as an author. Alas, I don't have the courage to take that risk and quit my day job. Maybe someday when The Bug is grown and moved out, but as sole supporter of my household I can't afford that dream just yet.
Congratulations on your new business and writing ventures. Its so awesome you have the courage and dedication to fully take on your dreams and work to make them come true.
My small step to making my writing dream come true has been a partial request for my first novel. Yay! I'll be chewing my fingers to bleeding nubs over the next 12 weeks :)
........dhole
PS: love the cover and title of your upcoming novel.
.....dhole
Donna is right: the cover and title of your upcoming novel are great. I wish you luck in your writing full-time.
Congratulations! Yay! You can join the rest of us starving artists.
I'm so happy for you, truly. A leash is very confining.
Best of everything as you start on this new venture.
I've been self-employed for years, and while I don't make my living as an author, I do make it through speaking and services. I love being in charge of my own destiny. Good for you, Eric!
Great News! And good for you. Working for "the man" isn't the only way to work.
YAAAAAAAAY!!!!!! I'm so happy for you. I read this at the perfect time: as in, tomorrow I am asking my boss to reduce my hours at a job that chokes the life out of me and sucks my joy into a deep dark hole. I have no idea what I'll do to fill the money gap...but I'll figure out something.
Thanks for the shot of courage. It's time I struck out too.
::hugs::
All the best wishes for you Eric! Take care. DuBois
Congratulations on your new freedom! You are definitely living the dream, and I wish you well. Love that opening quote, by the way.
play bazaar
satta king
play bazaar
play bazaar
play bazaar Make a paste from fenugreek seeds which have been soaking in water for a while. Apply an oil such as coconut or similar oil to your hair as the hair.
Post a Comment