Back Now, Off Again:
Hey, I’m all back from BEA, tired but fulfilled. We worked our asses off, but differently than last year. Last year, Booktour was just born and we had to introduce the whole dagbone publishing industry to our new baby. This year, they all know about us. So our time in Los Angeles, at this Mardi Gras for books, was more about reminders. Hey, we’re still here. Hey, we provide a valuable service. Hey, remember us, cuz you don’t at your peril, son.
Second agenda: I wanted to meet up with some editors (magazine and book) and assure myself that I’m still a writer even if my last two book proposals didn’t sell. Because, dangit, I haven’t felt like much of one lately.
Who knows when I’ll have another idea that will morph into a book? Till then, I gotta up the magazine work, see if the half dozen minnow-sized story ideas can swim. All an effort to place writing back at the center of my professional existence where it belongs.
It’s the first salvo in a larger career reassessment I’m doing right now. I’m not fully ready to talk about yet so let’s just say that the focus of my professional life up until now is no longer satisfying. I’m going to be thinking, over the next few months, about what I’d like my work to be and where I see it taking me. I’ll be seeing a counselor, doing research on my own wants and desires and interviews those who have careers I admire. And although I feel scared to wade in, I also feel that this wading is long overdue.
If you’re reading this (or are connected with me via Linkedin or Facebook), it means I know and trust you. Also means I may be calling on you for wisdom/encouragement/ledes/cheap drugs/shoulders to cry on. I hope this is ok as I’d do the same for you.
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6 Replies to “Back Now, Off Again:”
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Sounds like you and I are in the same spot, brother. If you can make it up to Boston for a day, I’d love to powwow with you about this stuff. Similarly, if you’d like to spend two years studying for a Master’s at MIT, I think you’re exactly the kind of guy my program would embrace. 🙂
Sounds like you and I are in the same spot, brother. If you can make it up to Boston for a day, I’d love to powwow with you about this stuff. Similarly, if you’d like to spend two years studying for a Master’s at MIT, I think you’re exactly the kind of guy my program would embrace. 🙂
I have had and always will have faith in you. I may not be familiar with this career world, but you can certainly always look to me to be your cheerleader when you need one.
I have had and always will have faith in you. I may not be familiar with this career world, but you can certainly always look to me to be your cheerleader when you need one.
I think maybe you’ve been hanging around with me too much! Seriously, I think I am always in the middle of a career evaluation. Anytime you want to bat this stuff around, you know how to reach me.
I think maybe you’ve been hanging around with me too much! Seriously, I think I am always in the middle of a career evaluation. Anytime you want to bat this stuff around, you know how to reach me.