The Day Job
See the title of this post?
I don't have one.
I haven't had one in 12 years.
I take some freelance. Some editing. But mostly, I make stuff up for a living.
And it dawned on me . . . when Baby Girl took over the blog, she and I talked about poetry. A lot. We are going to get that book Ewoh suggested. (And everyone go to his blog and wish him well--he's been training and today's his first RACE.)
Anyway, Baby Girl and I read poems. Then I suggested that she be a poet when she grows up. "You could write poems all the time. Maybe teach college English." And then we talked about other things poetry-related. Then it dawned on me later . . . I always do this. By "this," I mean I never encourage my kids to get real jobs. Teaching college English, yes, is a real job, but just being a poet? Chances are you'll starve--but I think that's totally, wonderfully cool. Not starving, but pursuing art, not beholden to the day job. Oldest daughter? Musician. Oldest son? He writes AMAZING comic book ideas (can't draw well, and doesn't like to draw, but those storylines!!!!!!). I've even, in the past, encouraged him to write a comic book with Baby Girl, and have her be the illustrator, since she is a wonderful artist. Demon Baby? I expect him to become leader of the free world. But even that? What do you put on your resume?
DEMON BABY
Job Objective: To lead the Free World, perferably over to the Dark Side
Job History: Demon mischief, general naughtiness. I have a lot of experience with hurling things off the balcony, pouring syrup on the floor, adventures with a can of whipped cream, and climbing on furniture. I have painted purple dragons on the carpet with permanent marker, so I guess that makes me an artist.
References: My mother. Her gray hair? That's my work.
Anyway . . . I just realized with Baby Girl that I encourage adventure more than security. Creativity more than practicality.
Were you encouraged as a child? Do you have a day job? Did you give up a day job to write and did it feel scary or freeing? Share with us.
AND . . . this is a day of monumental importance. The collective loves of my life are in the SUPERBOWL. GO GIANTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
26 comments:
"Mommy, I want to be a writer."
"Writer's make no money. You can't be a writer."
"Then I want to be an artist."
"No dear, artists are poor and live in attics. You can't be an artist."
So, I've been numerous things-none made me happy. Most were done because they were offered to me and since I couldn't be a writer or an artist I figured what the heck.
Now I'm about to lose my day job. (Yippee!) And I'm seriously thinking of becoming a writer or an artist.
My kids are encouraging, everyone else thinks I'm crazy, but my book (one of many through the years) is done and the canvases are piling up. I look around and find that crazy is a nice place to be.
I think its important to encourage our kids no matter what their bliss. Where would the world be if someone had said, "Leonardo! Put down that paintbrush!"
My parents were all about security: health insurance, retirement benefits, credit rating. I rebelled.
My daughter wants to be a starving writer, and I couldn't be more pleased. She gets to take a day off school this spring to visit a workplace (for example police station) to gain exposure to the industry of her choice. She has elected to spend the day with her papa at his computer.
Who said men don't cry.
My mother still dreams of me being a secretary.
Although, weirdly enough, after all I've done over the years playing and teaching piano, about the only thing she's ever been impressed with is that dinky little essay in the Stephanie Plum book.
It's mind-boggling, since I have a much greater mastery of piano and teaching (still have plenty to learn!), even though I'm working hard to improve my writing skills. Course, it may also just be that it inspired her to read the Stephanie Plum books, and she's fallen head over heels for them, LOL!
I haven't worked the dreaded day-job for almost ten years. The plan was always for me to write full-time when my youngest was in college. I encourage my children to follow their hearts. I come from a long line of follow-your-heart people, and it's the only way to live. Ah, I got caught in the day-job scene to help pay bills. But we eventually found a way to follow our bliss. And it was freeing, and we never looked back.
I gave up my day job entirely a month ago and it is the scariest thing I've ever done in my life. I've worked full time for nearly 13 years after college and part-time since I was fourteen years old, but I knew that now is the time I needed to devote myself to my writing. I always dreamed of the day I'd be able to do it, how wonderful and freely and exciting it would be -- it's nothing like my dreams. Quitting a day job (that I hated, btw, but paid well) to pound pieces of my imagination out at the keyboard every day fills with anxiety, stress, and constant fear...
But it's the best damn decision I think I've ever made.
I've never been more motivated or dedicated to my writing. I know I can make this work.
I just wish I had a little more money in the bank. ;-)
I didn't even consider becoming a writer until I was in my second year of teaching. How sad is that? I always loved to read and write, but I knew that I could never make a living as a writer, because it's impossible to get a book published, and my writing would never be good enough for that.
I ask you, how sad is that? No one specifically told me that. It was simply a societal attitude in the wealthy, suburban neighborhood you grew up in. Even becoming a teacher was going against the norm. That, coupled with low self-esteem, meant I didn't even try my hand at writing full books until a few years ago. Now I can't picture giving it up.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned that Demon Baby isn't the only one who's had adventures with a can of whipped cream.
If I would have shown great talent when I was young, my mother would have encouraged it. But my talent was late blooming. I quit my day job six years ago, and my husband and I just spend less money. I believe in myself and my talent. In the end, that's what matters most.
Stephen i think that's so cool!!!!
I still have a dayjob and wasn't really encouraged to do much. Weird, but anyway...
#1 is a great artist--and a lefty. He brought home his form for HS classes and had written Engineer on it. I'm not surprised. He's done two years in art and wants to continue in HS. I dont say too much (otherwise he'll change his mind LOL) but I'm pleased.
#2 is the singer/ham/dancer/writer/poet and it pleases me to no end. He hasn't indicated what he wants to do, but I DO try to encourage him since he seems to have a naturally creative bent.
Hi Aimless:
I wanted to be an artist, too. My dad told me I didn't have the talent--but he DID tell me that I HAD the talent to be a writer. My parents have always cheered me on.
E
P.S. I think crazy is a nice place, too.
Stephen:
I like rebelling with all my pals.
E
Spy:
I don't know whether to laugh at that or feel sad. I am so glad you do what you do!
E
ladonna:
Another kindred soul.
E
michelle:
CONGRATS! Follow your bliss. Live the dream. It's scary . . . but that's OK. It's a good kind of fear. And I always tell people . . . in this economy, in this coporate culture, there's NO such thing as job security--for anyone. Might as well work for yourself. I can't fire me.
E
booklady:
I think people don't know what to make of me in suburban society. At all. I feel scrutinized, looked at askew. And I'm OK with that. Not always. But most of the time.
E
edie:
You know, I thought about that when I wrote it--for a second. I thought, "Who will chime in on that one first?"
And here you go. :-)
E
Amie:
They sound like GREAT kids!
E
I was never encouraged not to get a day job or normal career, but I can say I've never pursued one. I've only worked in an office once, and it was part time work. Generally I've held crap jobs and written. Eventually I hope to just write.
Congrats, Erica! That game was the best one I've seen in a long time...just loved it!
I bet you're really happy right about now... ;)
Great game. (Love Petty!)
Zoe:
Hope that dream comes true for you!
E
Ladonna, Heather
Me and my kids went out in the neighborhood screaming a banging on pots with wooden spoons. We are the neighbors from hell.
AND WE ARE HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!
I am sooo happy your giants won!
My family always encouraged me to do whatever I loved... as long as it was something you could make money at being.
*sigh* I love my family, but they just don't "get" me. They never have and I'm sure they never will.
I've worked the "day job" for more years than I care to admit, and it is no more or less stable than being an "artist". I'm just not in a position to make a change to writing as my income in the foreseeable future. I'm the primary breadwinner and without making a major life change for the entire family it just is not possible.
So, I do the soul-sucking-cubicle-hell day job and write whenever I have a free minute or two. Eventually I will get published or the family dynamics will change and all me to pursue the writing more than the paycheck :)
I figure it this way - while I am working and writing I will be honing my craft to perfection. And since I have more ideas for stories than time to write, I'll always have material to work on.
ANd demon baby is always welcom to come out here and start taking over the world. I'm sure my girls will happily be his minions... meanwhile plotting to overthrow him if he shows any signs of weakness.
ewoh:
The three of them can be a triumverate of power.
:-0
E
I dedicated my first book, Catfish Guru, to my parents with the following quote:
"Teach them politics and war so their sons
may study medicine and mathematics in order
to give their children a right to study
painting, poetry, music, and architecture."
--John Adams
My parents were children of the Great Depression and were all about security, although my father was a gifted photographer. I followed the secure route, but it just didn't take (too much).
As for my kids, I most want them to be happy. If security is what makes them happy, fine. If pursuing your passions is what makes you happy, fine.
They'll have to find their own way, though. I can't do it for them.
mark
Great quote. Thank you for sharing it.
And I sure know, with four kids, they are on their own journey. Each one unique.
E
Any kind of encouragement is hard to come by in my house, so I've learned not to expect it. Oh well...
As for the day job, I have to credit it for my time management skills. After spending 9 hours away from the house, there are only so many hours left in the day to get cracking on a WIP. I've learned not to waste any of them.
Post a Comment