I’ve hinted about changes in my life for quite some time and thought I would take a moment to fill everyone in. True to form, I’ll do it in bullet point because it’s just so much easier that writing transitions and it is 6:00 AM.
- I have a new agent. This move was something I’d been agonizing over for quite some time and circumstances brought it to a head. While my former agent was brilliant, hardworking and talented, we had communication issues and often found ourselves on different pages. Even when we thought we were on the same page, it turned out to be in completely different books. She took my career further than I thought it could have gone, but in the end, when she moved to a new agency and position, I found that I was relieved. My new agent, the brilliant and talented Nephele Tempest and I communicate very well. The only problem is we tend to interrupt one another on the phone because we just have so much to talk about! She is also with The Knight Agency, a boutique agency that I have wanted to be a part of forever. I’m pretty much thrilled.
- I resigned my position as head teacher at the day job. This is also something I agonized over as I loved the job, the kids, my boss and my coworkers. But with school, writing and teaching at Portland Community College’s community education program, it just became too much. I was really heartsick over leaving but knew it was the right decision. However, when another position became available, I realized that even though I didn’t want the responsibilities of being a head teacher, there is no reason why I can’t continue to work there for three hours a day. So YAY!
- After I resigned from the day job for next school year, I was hired as a substitute for the Tigard/Tualatin School district as a classified substitute. I can work when I want and where I want and what positions I want and only have to give them four times a year. Even though I’ll continue working for Common Ground Extended Care, I’ll keep this one too.
- I am going to be perusing more freelance travel writing work. I really enjoy doing it and think I can be a success at it!
- Because of these new responsibilities, I won’t be starting a fiction writing coach business this fall. This was another tough decision, but not only do I not have the time, I also really enjoy the give and take of a regular classroom like I have with my PCC gig. Plus, I’m not sure that anything that requires me to sit in front of a computer more is a good option for me. I need to MOVE more not SIT more!
- I probably won’t be returning to school next year. I’ve weighed the pros and cons and even though I long for an English or history degree, I don’t think I want it badly enough to learn algebra for it. I’m a little ticked off that they want to make me learn algebra to get an English degree, but that’s the way the system works and they aren’t going to change it for little ole me. I still have academic insecurities and really wanted a degree but I would really rather learn to play the flute than math. This isn’t set in stone yet, but this is the way I’m leaning. Letting go of this dream has been so hard, I can’t even tell you… And I could, you know, change my mind at any given moment…
So there you have it. Changes. Sometimes change is hard but it’s good too, because it makes us stretch and grow as humans. It also helps me grow as a writer and that is something I have to continue doing.
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