Thank you for this decade

It was ten years ago tomorrow (but it was a Friday so I'll count today as the anniversary) that I became a full-time writer, which is to say that it was ten years ago that I got laid off from my last tech job. I have long passed the mark where I've done this longer than any other job--I think the previous record was just shy of four years--and I have never loved any other job as I've loved this one. I don't just mean that I can get up whenever I want and walk down the hall to my office; I mean that I get to make stories ALL THE TIME, and I get to write the stories I want to write. I get to talk to people about stories, I get to do some publishing here and there, and I get to teach, too. 

But really, it's the making stories all the time that is the best part. I would be doing that anyway, you understand; for the decade preceding my layoff I wrote during my lunch hours at work, when my husband worked late at his job, and any other time I could fit in. So it's really a privilege for me to be able to write all day every day.

Before Patreon, I was making some money off my books. Not a negligible amount, but not a lot either. And then Patreon came along and you wonderful people signed up and have made this job not only possible but viable for me. I owe you (and past Patrons) so much for allowing me to continue this job on my terms. I make this Patreon a priority, and I try never to miss a weekly update (I think I missed one for a holiday a couple years ago), and I hope that you guys are enjoying all the stories you've been getting.

You may be sensing that Return From Divalia is reaching its end--probably not before the end of 2020, but soon after. This weekend or Monday, I'll post a poll about what story I should work on next, and I hope you'll vote for what you want to see. But for today, I mostly wanted to say a great big thank you to every one of you and give you a big hug. May you all someday receive the same kindness and support you've shown to me. <3 <3 <3