Monday, September 7, 2015

Question of the Month and Reminder

The first of the month brings the Question of the month, a quick hop started by Michael D'Agostino. This month is an easier question than the previous months. Check out Michael's blog, A Life Examined, for his answer and a link to others.

“What’s the best job you’ve ever had?”

A very appropriate question for Labor Day. I grew up on a farm and we usually spent Labor Day bringing in hay or some other hot, difficult, exhausting job. My dad always said Labor day was for laboring. That was the hardest job I ever had. Being a mother is hard work but it's not a job, it's a privilege.

The best job I've ever had is the one I have now, being a full time writer. When I left teaching two years ago, I was saddened by losing all that time spent with teenagers. I really do love that group. I have so many wonderful memories but being released from a M-F, 7-3 job, is a dream come true. I concentrate on promotion in the mornings and do household chores or shopping. By noon, I'm caught up on all that unless I have to mow the grass. Then I exercise in the afternoon, swim in the summer, and do more outside work. Only in the evening do I actually write new material and then I often work until midnight. Can't quite quit the habit of writing late at night as I did when I was teaching full-time. But this job, the up and down life of a writer, is the best ever!

Also, don't forget to check out the contest sponsored by IWSG. If you missed the announcement last week, check it out here. You have until November first to get that story to the email provided. This is your chance to get a short story included in an anthology published by a small press on which you will earn royalties. It's another terrific opportunity from IWSG.


You'll often hear writers talk about being in the right place at the right time. Luck. So often I read about writers who received their first contract or met their agent through an introduction by a friend. It sounds like they got really lucky. But I firmly believe we make our own luck. We need to be open to opportunities and seek them out. Joining writing groups, in person if possible and online. Entering contests, reading industry news and craft articles and books. It's too easy to look ourselves into our writing office and forget about the business side of the business. Make your own luck.

Are you laboring on Labor Day? Have a best-ever job? Are you working on your short story? How do you go about making your own luck?



47 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You get to set your own schedule now. And if you overwork, then you've only yourself to blame.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

My first video store job was a lot of fun. Right now my best job is being the boss although my husband says I'm the worst boss ever.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

Yep, working today, but I love what I do - writing! Will probably take it a little easier today though.

I agree about being ready and open to opportunities. You never know what might happen.

Ann Bennett said...

You certainly have the work ethic. I have trouble with unstructured time or working without a deadline.

A Beer for the Shower said...

Absolutely agree with you - you make your own luck. Having a great novel isn't enough. People aren't just going to come swarming to you. You have to go to them.

I too am a full time writer, and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

mshatch said...

My best job is the one I've got now: working at the pawn shop. I don't think I ever enjoyed working as much as I do now.

betty said...

Seems like you have a great schedule that works for you now! It is good to be able to make one's own schedule too :) My favorite job was what I am doing now but before it got changed so drastically over the years. I loved to transcribe medical reports; loved to type them and learn new things. Now its changed and not so exciting but I do still like learning new terms.

Have a nice day!

betty

Pat Hatt said...

Having one's own schedule is sooo nice. And luck is just a made up human word, you put in the effort you get the rewards.

Heather R. Holden said...

Fun question to answer! Not surprised you view full-time writing as your best job... :)

Art's technically a 24/7 job for me, so yeah, I guess I'm laboring on Labor Day. LOL.

An Apel a Day said...

That does sound fun being a full time writer. You can set your own hours, write what comes to you, and enjoy doing it.

Bish Denham said...

Yup, being a writer definitely has it's advantages!

Ava Quinn said...

Soooo happy for you that you're living the dream, Sue! You deserve it!!! :)

Chrys Fey said...

You have a nice full day of activities and chores. I need to construct my days more like you do. But I do have a schedule in some way. Blogging in the morning. Marketing around lunch. Break time. Writing before and after dinner. :)

Chrys Fey said...

You have a nice full day of activities and chores. I need to construct my days more like you do. But I do have a schedule in some way. Blogging in the morning. Marketing around lunch. Break time. Writing before and after dinner. :)

Pat Garcia said...

Yes, I'm laboring on Labor Day and loving it. Like you writing and singing are the best jobs I've ever had and I love doing both of them.
Shalom,
Patricia

Barbara In Caneyhead said...

I can see why you enjoy your current job so much! As a night owl and a lover of lounging, I could get into that lifestyle, too! I have always done office work. Bookkeeping/accounting mostly. Liked every job I ever had. Always fortunate to run into good people. I like to problem solve. To make things line up/balance.

Life & Faith in Caneyhead

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I never overwork writing. Maybe shoveling snow last year.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Does that mean he's the luckiest employee ever!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Yes, you never know. I'm working today too.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I did at first but I found my routine, Ann.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Wouldn't trade it either. Best job ever!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

And you make it sound so interesting.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Working for yourself is so much better. And working at home rocks.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

And it is a lot of effort.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Me too, Heather. Getting back to work after a walk and a swim.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

It is fun, Alissa, but it is work also.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

It's wonderful, Bish.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Thanks, Ava. Now if I could only make those writers' meetings.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Sounds like a pretty good schedule for me, Chrys.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Me too, Pat! Though I can't sing a note except when alone in the car. I sound pretty good then.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I like that too. I'm very organized and like working with numbers. Nowadays all I keep track of are my writing expenses.

Mary Aalgaard said...

Sounds great. Enjoy the writing, parenting, and teaching. We're always teaching our own children.
Play off the Page

J E Oneil said...

I would say writing is the best job I ever had. I just wish I could do it more! You're so lucky to do it full time :)

Jax said...

To be a full time writer would be a dream come true. You are very lucky!

Christine Rains said...

Sounds likes a dream. I agree that being a writer is the best job ever! I'm trying to come up with an idea for the contest. No luck yet.

Jemi Fraser said...

Makes me look forward to retirement! I do love my teaching job, but I'm looking forward to being a full time writer too :)

Patricia Stoltey said...

I'm enjoying reading the hop Q&A -- I learn interesting stuff I didn't know, like you growing up on a farm. And did you read Arlee's interesting tale? I need to search out more of the hop participants, especially this month. It's a great question..

dolorah said...

Being a full time writer does sound awesome.

Liza said...

I am back to working 32 hours a week now, and I miss setting my own schedule...the way I did during my sojourn as an un/under employed. That respite was amazing...after working full time in a professional capacity for almost thirty years. But yes, my writing is my favorite.

Hart Johnson said...

Being a writer would be mine, too, if I could support myself at it. I think though, my best job was my first foray into being a public health researcher. The job itself was good, but MAN, I had fabulous coworkers. The kind who all ate lunch together daily and laughed a lot. It was a highly educated group with common interests, so it almost felt like an extension of grad school, but without the egos, since the organization was very flat and the guy in charge defined the word mellow.

Patrick Stahl said...

Woohoo! I haven't really had a job yet, exactly, so I can't give an answer to that, but I really like yours. (I suppose you could say that I've been a full-time writer who just doesn't get much done.)

Sherry Ellis said...

Writing is a really enjoyable job to have. As you read on my blog, my favorite job is being a music teacher. It's nice to be able to do something you're passionate about.

Janie Junebug said...

I don't believe in luck. I believe God puts us where He wants us, and we need to be open to His will.

Love,
Janie

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

I was a teacher too. I loved teaching until it got so political in the district I was in. I still stay in touch with my babies....the youngest ones are now almost 21 and the oldest are in their late thirties.

I haven't started on a short story yet, but I'm thinking about it. :)

Happy Fall!

Elizabeth said...

I'm a late night writer and former teacher as well :) I am currently working full time in a pharmacy and quitting would definitely be desirable. I hope to take this opportunity to enter the anthology contest and a story is forming in my mind, as long as I can get it written out in time!

Unknown said...

I totally agree about making your own luck as a writer. Sure, you can be at the right place at the right time. But if you don't work hard and smart, your chances of being there are much slimmer.

Unknown said...

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