Since I've sold my trilogy (man, I never get tired of saying that, haha), I'm doing a lot of thinking about career planning. I plan to have a good talk with my agent next week, and I'm eagerly looking forward to it. Some of the questions I've been asking myself are, what kinds of books do I see myself writing, and how many can I write in a year to keep up with my expectations? Where do I want to be in a year? Five years? Ten years?
Well, owning my own island and having a butler bring me chocolate martinis while I'm lounging beachside in my own resort would be the ultimate life. But since that's not likely, it's time to be realistic. LOL
When I was a teen, I had about a billion different careers I wanted to try. It wasn't until I was well into college that I decided pursuing an English degree would be the right move for me. However, I knew some people who even back in school knew exactly what career was right for them--and sure enough, they stuck to it and finished.
I always wished I could be like that. But I had too many interests to pick one job quickly and say for sure, "Yup, that's the one for me." Luckily, that's one of the fun things about being an author--I can try out different lives, different jobs, different points of view to mix things up a bit so I don't get bored.
So, what about you--did you always know what you wanted to be when you grew up? Do you have a career plan, and if so, have you stuck to it faithfully, or has it changed over time?
It's definitely changed over time, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteMy original plan was to be a ballerina, and if that didn't work out, then I'd think about Broadway. LOL!
Around that same time, I also wanted to be a writer. I guess I was thinking in terms of needing something to do after my inevitable dance career-ending injury ('cuz let's face it, I'm a klutz).
But my dad kinda squashed both those dreams for me. He didn't think either were practical.
So by the time I was in high school, the plan was to major in Political Science/International Relations (check...did that) with a minor in French (actually, I ended up double majoring in French instead of the minor) in college, then take (and pass!) the Foreign Service Exam and immediately get whisked away to the American Embassy in Paris.
Except that it doesn't exactly work that way. Let's forget about the fact that they didn't even give the Foreign Service Exam the year I graduated from college (so I was going to have to wait to take it anwyay), and brand-new foreign service officers end up getting sent to embassies in countries nobody else wants to go anyway. France is kinda held out as a carrot for 20 years down the line. LOL!
I ended up going to law school because 95% of all FSOs have a law degree, but before I went, I took 2years off to work in a law firm, and lo and behold, I realized I actually liked intellectual property law. Enough that I abandoned the whole foreign service route.
Anyway, a few years back, I got burned out on the whole law thing, and started writing a novel for fun.
So now I'm back to my original plan from when I was 6 years old. Pursuing the writing career. And one of these days I'll sell, dammit!
But I'm still gonna practice law...as a back-up. LOL!
I wanted to be a scientist. Then a chef. Then...I wasn't sure.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm happy to be a writer and pursue that "career". Hopefully, it will turn into one. lol
Dude, the butler thing is TOTALLY reasonable.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid, I wanted to be a waitress and make sundaes like at Friendly's. When I was a teen, I didn't WANT to do that job -- but did.
Somewhere in HS I also wanted to be a writer....
Yeah...I think I'm just not hip on defining myself by career.
ReplyDeleteI have no plan. Can I borrow someone else's?
When I was seven, I wanted to write. I had a nonstop narrator in my head, too: "Cara turned, and went in from the playground. Then she got a drink of water. Then she went to her class." Fascinating stuff, of course. :-)
ReplyDeleteThen when I was ten, I wanted to be Julie Andrews. Two small problems:
1) I can't sing.
2) There already was a Julie Andrews.
I also wanted to write.
In high school, I wanted to go into something math-and-science-ish, and also write...and do community theater on the side.
In college I wanted to get some sleep. And write. But not till I slept. :-)
Cara
Cara cracks me up.
ReplyDeleteLOL, Cara.
ReplyDelete{blush}...thanks!
ReplyDeleteCara
I've always liked variety, and I can't remember a time when I worked only one job. It's always been a mixed bag for me. I think I'd go nuts if I coouldn't have variety.
ReplyDeleteThe awesome thing about writing is the endless opportunity for change!