A Future of Possibilities

I got a new job!  At first, I was dreading it, but now that I've almost finished my first week, I feel extremely blessed.  I guess for you to understand why, you'll have to know what I'm doing.

I'm a receptionist for Deseret Book, as in I answer and transfer phone calls and greet guests and customers at the Deseret Book Corporation downtown SLC.  Being a receptionist may not have too many perks, but working for a well-know publishing company certainly does!  In fact, one of the main editors who looks at book submissions actually came to the lobby and talked to me about my editing past and writing dreams today.  Then she asked me if I'd be interested in helping her evaluate some manuscripts submissions because they're so behind, and I have the background experience.  I was giddy with excitement! I hoped that working for DB may be a step in the door, either for working as an editor or getting my novel submitted.  Now an editor who works there knows who I am, my background, and will actually see some of my editing at work.  And because getting published is often about who you know, I feel like I have an even greater chance of them reading some of my stuff in the near future.  Maybe I won't even have to worry about finding an agent first.

Ah, life is grand!  I definitely felt guided in applying and getting this job, and I feel like I'm heading in the right direction for fulfilling one of my greatest dreams ever.  Being a writer feels good and right, even if I am working a part-time job as a receptionist.  Who knows what the future will bring? :)

Confession

Now that we're 10 days into October, I decided I'd better confess about September's writing goal.

It didn't go too well.

I was thinking about listing all my excuses as to why I didn't write as much as I had hoped and planned, but I'm sure that's the last thing you care about reading.  Yes, there were a few things that were out of my control (losing a week's worth of my writing and a family crisis, to name a few), and I had to make decisions about priorities.  Ultimately, I wasn't able to write everyday, and the days I did write weren't longer than an hour or two at the most.  I had a hard time focusing and really getting my hands dirty.  And sometimes I even avoided working on my novel because I was so overwhelmed by how much there was to do (a downfall to being a perfectionist).

And, yes, I am very disappointed in myself.  How will I ever reach my goal of becoming a published writer if I don't write?

I'm also feeling like my time is running out.  It's as if I can count the remaining pieces of sand in the hourglass, and it's not impressive.  In fact, it's dauntingly few.  It not necessarily saying I will never get published; it's more saying that my time getting my novel ready for submission is running out because life is still happening as I avoid my computer.  And it's definitely changing and picking up speed for me.  Yes--this is the SAME novel I've been working on since high school!  Should I give up on it and just move on?  I have a million story ideas running through my mind, but if I never write them down, they're basically useless.  At the same time, I've felt impressed to keep working on my novel these past 6, 7, 8 years...doesn't that mean something too?  But if there is a deadline I'm unaware of, then I might have to put it aside one of these days.

Right now, I'm job-less, child-less, big obligation-less.  It's the ideal time to write.  But I am feeling the pressures to move on, especially if I can't take it seriously and accomplish my goals.

On to October (and a more optimistic view of my writing).  It may be the 10th, but it can still be a fresh start, right?  Maybe last month's goal was too big.  Maybe I just need to remember baby steps.

October's writing goal: Finish revising the first 5 chapters of my novel. 

Perhaps this is too simple of a goal, but it's a start. No time restraints or daily obligations--just one goal at large.  As Ty says on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (which I'm obsessed with), "LET'S DO IT!"   

And I really believe I can.  Even if life is leaving me breathless at times, I can still make the effort to get 5 chapters "done."  Here's to reaching my goal!