Making The Leap
Photo credit: Microsoft Clip Art
In part one of this public introspection, I detailed my ten-year journey to a publishing contract, which, thanks to Mother Nature’s antics, came shortly after I started an intense graduate school program, having finally convinced myself the “writing thing” was not going to happen. Dream job be damned. The writer in me, that tiniest little figure within a set of far more responsible nesting dolls, was to remain hidden, only to emerge when outside interest surfaced (“What ever happened with that book you were writing?”)
So imagine my surprise to receive that letter of acceptance. And my angst at my new educational endeavor. I can do both, I hastily declared, ignoring the alarm-firing neurons in my brain (“Hey, Missus, you already tried that, remember? It took forever to get your book finished!”). And raise my children. And work a few hours at a real job, “just to stay in the market.”
I made my writing to-do list: review/sign contract, buy book about marketing, read book about marketing, learn how to set up a blog, sign-up for the Twitter thing, start the blog, start the Twitter thing, learn about other social marketing tools (good grief, when did all this start?), case out the local bookstores, and oh, what about editing? I’m sure the editor will have more than a few suggestions. And what about the next novel? Publishing is a long process; I will need something else warming the bench.
Um, sure, I can do all that and still go to school.
Thus, contract signed. To-do list put aside. Back to class and back to life.
Needless to say, I did not dent that list, not while I was learning epidemiological computations and new statistical computer programs. But how could I quit the graduate program? Succeeding in writing is about as realistic as becoming the next president. Getting a PhD would allow the mid-life transition I sought but with a much more realistic outcome and far less risk. Then again, that has always been my problem. Choosing the practical over the “what if”. Following head instead of heart. Using left brain rather than right.
Many would argue this is just as it should be. A world full of dreamers walking off the job in search of published novels, artistic masterpieces, or Olympic medals would leave us in a bit of a bind. Sure hope that surgeon operating on my heart is not envisioning his next magnum opus. Not all can, nor should, take that train.
At this point in my continuous rehashing of turbulent thoughts, my husband entered. As did his common sense. Allow me to paraphrase. “Look, why do you keep torturing yourself? Do you want to write or not? If so, drop out of the program and give yourself a year. At least you’ll know you tried.”
And so I did. And believe me, I know how lucky I am to have a life situation in which I can do so. That was not the case in the past, and given life’s unpredictability, it may not be the case in the future. But at least it is the case for now.
This was an awesome post, Carrie. You are blessed and I hope life continues to allow you opportunities to dedicate yourself to your writing journey. Sounds like you’re starting off so much more ahead than I did, especially when it comes to social media. Best wishes and really looking forward to your book! I love medical and sci-fi–always a winning combination!
Thanks for the kind words. Yes, I’m trying to get this social media thing down, but I still have a ways to go. Thanks for dropping by!
You’re welcome. I’m sure I’ll be around more
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So what is the novel about? And congrats on getting a contract – that surely is a VERY GOOD start!
It is a medical thriller with a science fiction twist to hopefully help it stand out a little in a “been done before” genre. Just a small publisher, but hey, I’ll take it. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!
I’ve poured twenty years into developing the skills I
would need to work in this industry. I have no other
skills to speak of. Guess its do or die for me . . . huh?
yet perhaps some people are just
Farmers and craftsman – sure they like a
good book but to them writing is tedious –
more so then a finnished house or a row of
soybeans. So they rather read the work of
others and admire their own creative efforts
in the field. My friends always talk about the
work ratio – work versus product and learning
versus doing. Some things are hell to learn
but fun to do – Some things are fun to learn
but hell to do – Some things make you sound
like a cool person – but are unplesent in
practice. (Being president is basically being
hated for a living and being an astronaught
is being the worst kind of human gineapig,
but hey, some people dig that.)
I’de like to think that a significant
percentage of the workforce is genuinely
passionate about what they are doing. It
is just that growing potatoes makes for un-
promising conversation – except for me I
would love to grow potatoes.
Good luck on your noble quest to the land
of Doingsomethingidontcompletelyhateia.
Thanks so much for your comments! I appreciate you stopping by my little corner of the world. And yes, I will go forth on my noble quest and hopefully not land flat on me face in the process!
I can really relate to this post and I continue to struggle with whether or not to flat out quit nursing to see if I can get the writing thing to take off. Right now, I guess I’m hedging my bet and staying put while in the midst of a three-book contract. I see the money made in nursing as a way to help me market the book. We shall see how it all works out.
Thanks for visiting. Congratulations on the three-book contract. What genre?