quote: As Stephen King discovered, it's virtually impossible to write when you're a full-time teacher. That's why he quit the job
Icarus - Tony wrote his first two (actually three now I think about it) books while teaching English full time.
He has since quit and writes full time. And is much more fun to live with.
The only way he did it was at getting up at 5 every morning and writing for 2 hours before going to work. And writing all through the school holidays. That was hard enough just with the two of us - I think it would be nigh on impossible with a family.
Posts: 4393 | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Heh. I stay up until 12:30, which is when I often fall asleep while writing. Note the carefully placed "virtually." Someday, hopefully, I'll be a successful exception too.
Posts: 1001 | Registered: Dec 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I thought I would love my job. I thought it would be the pinnacle of human services - being positioned in a place where direct service experience could be brought to play in statewide policy decisions, where the program you work for is on the national meter.
The reality has been extensive overtime and severe stress - I wake up literally arguing with myself, with clenched fists, gritting my teeth. I have no outside life anymore - I don't even have the energy to pursue the volunteer activities I used to love doing. I really don't have much energy for what should be the most important aspect of my life - being a mommy.
posted
I truly enjoy my job. I've known that I wanted to teach since I was a young kid. I dislike paperwork and grading, but the day to day time with my students is so much fun. Sure, I'd do it for free if my bills were paid for somehow.
Posts: 862 | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
quote: Tony wrote his first two (actually three now I think about it) books while teaching English full time.
He has since quit and writes full time. And is much more fun to live with.
The only way he did it was at getting up at 5 every morning and writing for 2 hours before going to work. And writing all through the school holidays.
Wow - that's almost exactly the same thing that I had to...oh, wait....
Seriously, though, leaving teaching to take up the tenuous possibility that I *might* be able to eke out a living as a full time writer was the scariest thing I've ever done. The thing was, I liked teaching. A lot. What I didn't like (and Iccy put his finger on this on the first page) was all the school politics, paperwork and other stuff that can come with the job. It was these things that made it easier for me to take the big leap, but even so, typing and sending that letter of resignation was still a very scary moment in my life. I remember when my final paycheck went into the bank account, it seriously felt like loosing my safety net.
The thing is, since then, I haven't looked back. My writing's better than it has ever been, I've had the time to build a name for myself as a guest speaker and lecturer at schools all over the country (and my teaching experience has proved to be a most valuable asset there), I've picked up a scholarship and have started my PhD in creative writing. All things I would never have even considered being able to do five years ago. On the other hand, I don't think I could have done all these things five years ago. I don't make as much money as I used to, but I've never been this happy.
I consider myself extremely lucky - but not completely lucky, because there was also a lot of hard work involved. I love what I do, never expected to be doing it, and it was worth all the five a.m mornings and holidays spent at the keyboard. Nowdays, as much as I enjoy the freedom of being able to write full time, there's still a lot of self discipline required - sunny days spent sitting at the keyboard, or locked up in the library, so it's not all beer and skittles. I don't think it ever will be.
The journey, including the teaching, has been the important thing for me. It's put me in the position of being able to do what I love.
(I should also add that I have a cold and am doped up on codene at the moment, so please accept my apologies if this ramble is less than completely coherent )
Posts: 466 | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
(((Shan))) You're a great mommy, and although I may be basing this completely on the cookies, I think there is a strong correlation between good cookies and good parenting skills.
Danzig, have you read a lot of real estate investment books. Do you recommend any one of them in particular? Bravo on having a solid plan at such a young age (mine at your age was to become the point guard for the Clippers).
Megachirops, I have friends who are/were teachers so I do know how hard and emotionally draining it could be. It is one of the hardest and most important jobs in the world, so I would never dare call it an "easy" way out. Posts: 1592 | Registered: May 2000
| IP: Logged |
For my last job at the Monterey Bay Aquarium I dressed up as a scuba diver, a safari guy, a green sea turtle, a sea nettle (jellyfish), and an ROV. I'm quite relieved that there is no photographic record of this.
Posts: 4534 | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've had a variety of jobs, too, although probably not as many as ClaudiaTherese ...
*secretary *nurse aide *worked in a bingo parlor in high school *waitress (truly sucked at this) *Burger King - anything from cashier to sandwiches to shift manager (truly sucked at this, also) *detassled some summers in my youth *babysitter (full-time for a family with 7 kids once ... whew, I'm still tired) *overnight cashier at Wal-mart *worked for a couple of temp agencies *worked at four different Circle K's (convenience store - Arizona and California), an AM-PM (California and an Amoco convenience store (Chicago) *maid at a casino hotel in Laughlin, Nev. *bussed tables at a casino in Laughlin *currently a paginator (news page designer) at a daily newspaper in Iowa.
I think my paginator job is probably the one that suits my personality the best. However, it's mostly evening hours and my kids need me at home. So, I'll be looking for a day job. I've been putting this off, because I really enjoy my job. I think that soon, if things go the way I think, I will be enjoying it less, because I think some people I like may be leaving and it will not be as fun without them.
When I was a shift manager, my stress level was very high. My hours really sucked - all shifts every week. When I quit and told my kids that, my daughter Cayla (then 3) said, "Thank you Mommy." I think she knew I wouldn't be as cranky all the time. Posts: 2034 | Registered: Apr 2004
| IP: Logged |
Boon
unregistered
posted
I love my job. And I literally DO do it for free...
I prepare individual tax returns. Yes, I work for a company, and yes, I get paid. But I also do them at home for free for people who can't afford to have them done otherwise.
It's perfect. I get to meet lots of adults, some even well enough that they come by the office just to visit. I get to feel like I'm helping people: if you've read my posts on the subject, you know what I mean.
And, just about the time I'd start really feeling burnt out, tax season is over. Really, I have it good. I get to work at something I love, it stays pretty fresh, and I get summers off to play with the kiddos.
IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Someday, hopefully, I'll be a successful exception too.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
