Three weeks ago — after being laid off twice in less than a year and a run at freelance technical writing and editing — I’ve returned to a day job. (Writing procedures for a large finance company.)
Looking back on the past year and then some, I’m proud of what I accomplished as a writer. Still, doubts creep in:
- Should I have promoted things better?
- Should I have made a bigger push with freelancing?
- Should I have dusted off and published my second novel as an e-book, wrote the followup, and promoted both books?
So many questions.
But…I’m happy that I focused on “the serious novel” that may be hard to sell, but needed to get out.
The podcast is out there, now, and I can promote that.
I spent a lot of time with my wife; more than anything, that made all the time looking for work and struggling to make it freelancing worth it.
It’s easy to wonder if we’re doing the right thing as writers. (I wonder if I should focus on my second novel — a paranormal mystery set in 20s Chicago — or work on one of two other novels next.) It’s easy to second guess our decisions, or wonder if we could do more. But as long as we’re moving forward and writing, there should be no regrets.
Getting caught up in “what ifs” is the worst thing we can do as writers.
The best thing we can do?
Keep writing and moving forward…
I hope everybody has a great week!
Congratulations on your new job, and best of luck! “Writing procedures”- is that a class or a type of document?
Yesterday while on my walk, I realized I needed to go back and re-write the “first” book of a trilogy (now I realize it’s a trilogy.) The first book is / was the prologue I deleted, thinking, at the time, it didn’t flow with the rest of the story. A week ago I finished the sequel (now the future third book in the trilogy). As if that makes any sense.
But first I’ve got to edit my Singularity farce.
Regarding your paranormal mystery- paranormal is very popular right now, as I’m sure you’re aware. I wonder how long that trend will last- another few years? Something to think about. 🙂
Yeah, you definitely can’t second-guess things too long. All you can really do with that is use it to help decide your next step. Dwelling too long on something does no good — after all, you can’t go back and change the past.
It was nice having so much time with you. Now I’m looking forward to both of us getting a lot of work done! 🙂
CMS,
It’s a job writing procedures for a large financial firm. I work with a nice group; in fact, a job that I applied to before I applied to the current job called to see if I wanted an interview (it’s closer and it pays more), and I’m passing because I like where I am right now.
I decided last night to go the paranormal mystery route. The story I recently podcasted…I want to release that as an ebook and follow up with a short story collection and the paranormal mystery.
I have more fun with that kind of writing. Stuff like I finished last summer is more satisfying, in ways, but I really need to dedicate a lot more time in a sitting to really feel comfortable tackling something bigger. The paranormal mystery was written primarily on lunch breaks at an old job, and I like the thought of putting out a series.
Good luck with the Singularity farce!
Cynthia,
Yes–very nice having lots of time together. Fortunately with the new job being flexible with when I can go in…I can be home earlier than many jobs, and they’re generous with vacation time.
Little things like that matter.
“writing procedures for a large financial firm” My hat is off to people who can do that!
Glad you are going with the writing that is most fun for you. 🙂
Re: my Singularity farce- oddly enough, (but also quite expectedly enough, given the fast pace of new technology development) yesterday I learned of a breakthrough in hologram technology. Holograms can now be “touchable.” This is great for my novel, because my hologram character was just a tiny bit unbelievable. Now I will make her tactile. 🙂
It’s not the most exciting thing, but there’s an aspect of writing procedures that I like. Taking a pile of descriptions about something and figuring out how the process really works…it comes together in layers like any other kind of writing; it’s fun to see if all develop.
I’m glad to hear that a breakthrough in technology has helped what you’re working on. I’ve not written much fiction that involves technology, but I’ve always admired people who do. It’s a recurring thing with a friend in my writing group–he’s always been fascinated by the unexpected good and bad when a big leap in technology occurs.
All the best with your novel!