Things to consider before you quit your day Job… Besides Money
What would you do if presented with the opportunity to Quit your
day job? Is there anything that might make you reconsider?
About a year and a half ago I had an amazing opportunity
presented to me. A job offer that would take me away from the humdrum life of
being an accountants assistant to writing full time for a company. The position
included writing web content, two blogs, press releases and social media.
Needless to say I gave my notice at the job I’d had for seven plus years (during
which I managed to write my first two books as well as find a publisher) and
everyone wished me luck in following my dreams.
The thing I had not considered turned out to be how researching
and writing for stringent deadlines would tap the creative juice leaving a
shortage for my own personal use. Six months into the job, my better half asked
when was the last time I’d written any of my own stuff? My answer shook me to
the core. I’d not written a darn thing for myself since I took the position. Eight months into the job, the company decided
to leave the state and I stayed behind.
In the shuffle of looking for a new job, I found myself with a scattered
schedule and time for everything but writing. Another six months whizzed by and
I had little down on paper to show for it.
As luck would have it, my old job had gone through two
replacements and was looking again. When I got the call I snatched up the
opportunity to go back to work. I have since began writing again.
SO here’s what I figured out about me and my writing habits…
- I need the mundane accounting life during the day to allow my creative side to build up and run amuck at night.
- I require the structure of a day job sucking up all my time to seek out and steal those precious hours required for writing the great romance novels brewing inside me, because apparently left to my own devices I am a huge procrastinator. Who knew?
Now my point here is NOT
to tell you what WILL happen if you
get the chance to quit your day job. Nope. I am sharing my story to show you
that money is not the only consideration, and before you leap make sure you are
facing the right direction. Happy writing!
Author Bio:
Whether life leads her to a snow covered mountain top, sun dappled forest, or the bottom of a ravine (yes, ditches happen) she always has a pen and note pad ready so wherever the next adventure takes her, she can take notes.
Her own romance began in an insane asylum. Luckily, both she and her husband only worked there. But it makes sense her romance novels have strange beginnings that lead to passionate endings. Romance with a twist.
In the face of zombies, werewolves, and big foot she always seems to find a happily ever after to leave you with a sigh at the end.
About ONLY LOVE SURVIVES:
Amidst an epidemic ravaging the world, all Megan Fletcher's hopes
for the future lie in getting to Las Vegas where newscasts reported
scientists were gathering to search for a cure for the modern plague. After
rescuing her from a rooftop surrounded by Zombies, Sam Woods appoints himself
her escort. While he knows she is determined to get to Vegas no matter
the cost, he doesn't know her secret. And with his hatred of all things Zombie,
she doesn’t dare tell him the truth. The more he kisses her, the harder it is
for Megan to hide her growing feelings…and the bite-shaped scar.
But Vegas is not the haven it was promised to be, and when Megan’s
immunity to the disease is discovered, she realizes her future and her heart
belong to Sam, if he will trust her. An idealistic school
teacher and ex-corporate mogul manage to find love despite a looming worldwide
catastrophe. Can their love survive while everything around them is dying? Will
they learn that when facing the end of the world, Only Love Survives.
Excerpt:
A storm that spelled danger flashed across Sam’s face. He advanced on Megan so fast, she backed up against the side of the Suburban. Planting a hand firmly on each side of her, he pinned her with his arms as well as his gaze.
“What I want? Are you so hard headed you can’t tell what I want?” He covered her mouth with his lips and crushed her clever comeback with an assault on her senses.
Megan pushed him, but he didn’t budge. Instead, he continued to kiss her until her heart raced and cheeks flushed with need. All resistance melted and she succumbed to the warmth of his embrace. Her arms wound around his neck of their own accord pulling him closer while her tongue sought his in a passionate dance, completely ignoring what her heart wanted.
When he finally broke away leaving Megan breathless and wanting so much more, Sam put his forehead to hers and watched her mouth like a drunk watches amber liquid poured into a glass. “You,” he rasped. “I’ve wanted you since I found you hanging from that damn roof, and all our little encounter in the river did was add fuel to the fire.”
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Renee, I really understand about that writing job. When I got my first position at a newspaper, I thought it might help with a secret desire to write fiction (a desire I didn't ultimately fulfill for years.) But I found that career, while I absolutely loved it, left me too exhausted even to think about doing any other kind of writing. Good for you for realizing what you truly wanted out of life and for doing what you needed to ensure it. Barb Bettis
ReplyDeleteWhat a refreshing perspective! I had never considered this angle before. I'm 26 years into my day job so it's a matter of hanging in there until retirement. Everyday, I grudgingly plod off to work playing the "if I could only stay home" game. After reading this post, I won't feel so pouty. Thanks so much! :-)
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your post, Renee, mostly because you reveal a truth that eludes many writers until it's too late. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. I'm so happy you got a chance to take back your original job - that's a HEA in itself!
ReplyDeleteI feel you. Never left a job to write but I've had such a hard time squeezing any writing time in lately that I took a couple of days off this week just for writing. I finally got back into a ms I started almost 2 years ago. Now, if I can just keep up the momentum, I might finish it before Christmas. Congrats on your latest release and on getting those juices back! Work and writing is truly a balancing act.
ReplyDeleteWow, I was reluctant to write this post because I didn't now if it would hit a sour note or not. Knowing how many writers dream of quitting their day job, me being one of them of course, I was afraid it would sound like I was ungrateful for the opportunity's set before me. But I was compelled to write it none the less, and I am so glad it resonated with you guys.
ReplyDeleteThere is something to be said about knowing yourself and what your muse requires to be productive, no matter what that looks like.
This is an interesting angle I hadn't even thought about. I had been thinking about how to quit my job and write full time. Definitely more a dream than a reality at this point. But I haven't considered if I would be disciplined enough to keep writing the way I have. If I am offered the opportunity, I will look before I leap.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you got your day job back. I love "Only Love Survives" and it would be a shame to see your muse stay in hiding. I've had enough battles with my own muse to know, when you discover what makes it click, you'd better stay with it. Is there going to be a sequel to "Only Love Survives"?
ReplyDelete