Friday, June 4, 2021

#WritersLife: Managing the Job Search


#writerslife


 It's been four years since I held a word-related job (an academic instructional associate at a community college), and it's definitely showing to the hiring managers when I submit an application. 

I don't blame them. We suffered something worse than a recession: a pandemic. The warehouse job I've held since 2019 definitely saved me and offered me more hours than I was signed up for because of everyone else forced to remain indoors. I thought, back in 2017 when I quit my college position, that I was ready to leave the writing world behind and focus on an industry that would be able to sustain me.

However, 2021 has been the most stressful and difficult year of my life. I lost someone I loved, and I've never experienced grief like that before and it took a long time before I even wanted to talk to family and friends again. But, as with all negative experiences, it also shed light on the lifestyle I was pursuing. Wake up, run errands, stress at work, shower, sleep, and repeat. I realized I didn't want that for myself. 

I want to wake up excited for the day. I want to look forward to work. I want to be happy to be living the life I'd made for myself. Instead, I started therapy to help myself cope with stress and life management because of how miserable my current job makes me feel.

Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate warehousing in the beginning. In fact, I found so much enjoyment out of it with my last company. The guys I worked for and with genuinely cared about me and looked out for me. I experienced rough patches where I couldn't identify who I was, but it was the lack of writing that led to those emotions, not the job itself. This new warehouse job, however, led to breakdowns in the company restrooms and wishing I could quit on the spot and never look back.

Unfortunately, I needed the insurance, and I couldn't afford to walk away from that. Until now.

My husband has a great job with a company that offers benefits, and I finally realized I didn't have to stay in warehousing to get the insurance I need. Not only that, but I haven't needed doctors' visits like I did with my previous head injury, so any insurance coverage will provide what I need. 

Needless to say, I can't explain all that on a resume, so I've been rejected almost half a dozen times in three weeks. Twice yesterday. But with the pandemic, so many creatives lost their jobs or full time hours and I'm competing with an even larger field than last time. Not only that, but these are individuals who never gave up on their writing careers, or who practiced writing regularly, or took unpaid or low wage positions to keep those credentials on their resumes. 

I know everyone says writing is something you can start at anytime, and it's true, but it's not something you can get paid to do at any given time. I publish posts on my blogs and run social media branding for a food truck, but neither of those are paying my bills right now. It's hard, but for some reason, I don't want to throw in the towel. I want to see this through. I want to write again.  

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

#WritersLife: Four Years Later

 


#writerslife, where I remember my former life.

It's been almost four years since I posted on this blog. In that time, I underwent cranial and spinal surgery, bought a tiny house, changed industries, and got married. Needless to say, none of those things involved writing. In fact, I turned away from writing in every sense.

I touched on a bad break-up I went though in 2016 that halted my ambition and that led to a slower climb in my writing endeavors in previous posts. However, I can't fully explain what coerced me to stop writing and change industries after spending four years earning my Bachelor's in Creative Writing and an additional three years working in the publishing and marketing scenes.

It started with wanting a break. A mental break from the self-imposed deadlines, an emotional break from wanting to live up to the best-selling author image I curated, and a physical break from the hours staring at a bright computer screen (yellow tinted glasses are one of the greatest inventions of our modern times). I took that break and then some, and stopped writing for two years, save for the occasional journaling that never lasted more than a couple weeks.

I felt frustration the first dozen times friends, families, and colleagues asked if I'd been writing. Why was it simple to understand someone no longer wanting to work in sales but difficult to understand why I didn't want to write? And then I realized: no one knew how to identify me without writing.

I had no identity without writing.

I suddenly had to find new things to define myself not only for others, but myself. Without manuscripts and book clubs and author events, what was I into? Since everything I enjoyed, mainly video games, church events, and playing with my dogs, couldn't equate to a paycheck, I thought I had nothing going for myself. I dove into warehousing because 1) I was good at it and 2) in 2017, I needed good insurance for my upcoming surgery and warehousing pays well in that department.

I had my parents, my college friends, and now ex-boyfriends push me to write again after my surgery in 2018, now that I had my own place when I bought my house in 2019, and definitely again when we went into lockdown in 2020. But I didn't know what to write about. I wasn't reading young adult anymore, and I definitely wasn't adult enough for fiction. I love my faith, but I am far too much of a sinner to write religiously.

While I pondered these thoughts, my newlywed husband proposed that I write again. I snapped at him, told him he wasn't the first to suggest it, the first to not understand, the first to think it was easy to jump back into even if I secretly thought my voice was gone forever. He said a dozen people could have suggested me to try it, but it was only meant to be the thirteenth person who made a difference.

Something about that moved me and it pissed me off. 

I was done with writing. I didn't know how anymore, or what was popular, or who was still agenting, or where the book blogs were jumping. But it stuck with me. 

A few weeks later, my dad opened his grilled cheese food truck. He asked me to do the social media, and I said yes. It gave me such a rush, and I had fun googling cheese memes and food truck events and blowing up my friends' pages with constant sharing of its posts. I actually enjoyed the scheduling. I enjoyed the self-inflicted deadlines. Within two weeks I was back in my old habit of scheduling posts a week or more in advance. 

Feeling encouraged, I applied to a writing job. They rejected me. I applied for another. They rejected me, too. And with that, I was back in the industry

I still don't see myself cranking out a novel or two a year like I did in my prime, but I know blogging will allow me to practice without feeling like I'm doing something wrong, and the social media posts will provide me with enough structure to creatively stretch my legs.

So here I am, four years after my last post, and this is my #writerslife. 

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Can't-Wait Wednesday: The Cruel Prince


Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme that focuses on the yet-to-be released books we're waiting for and is hosted by Wishful Endings. It's inspired by Waiting on Wednesday by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Today I'm highlighting an anthology about folklore and fairy tales!

Title: The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1)
Author: Holly Black
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: January 2, 2018
Add to Goodreads

Goodreads' summary:


Amber the Blonde Writer - Can't-Wait Wednesday - The Cruel PrinceJude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

Why I'm Waiting:


When I was in high school, I loved reading books about the faerie universe. The older I got, the less I read about mystical creatures, but faeries never seem to fade like vampires and werewolves, blowing up and then vanishing to blow up again. I'd like to get involved in the faerie universe again, and Holly Black's novels are full of them, and full of them well from what I've heard.

What books are you waiting on?


Other posts you may like: 

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Can't-Wait Wednesday: The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic

Amber the Blonde Writer - Can't Wait Wednesday - The Language of Thorns

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme that focuses on the yet-to-be released books we're waiting for and is hosted by Wishful Endings. It's inspired by Waiting on Wednesday by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Today I'm highlighting an anthology about folklore and fairy tales!

Title: The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: September 26, 2017
Add to Goodreads

Goodreads' summary:


Amber the Blonde Writer - Can't-Wait Wednesday - The Language of ThornsLove speaks in flowers. Truth requires thorns.

Travel to a world of dark bargains struck by moonlight, of haunted towns and hungry woods, of talking beasts and gingerbread golems, where a young mermaid's voice can summon deadly storms and where a river might do a lovestruck boy's bidding but only for a terrible price.

Inspired by myth, fairy tale, and folklore, #1 New York Times–bestselling author Leigh Bardugo has crafted a deliciously atmospheric collection of short stories filled with betrayals, revenge, sacrifice, and love.

Perfect for new readers and dedicated fans, these tales will transport you to lands both familiar and strange—to a fully realized world of dangerous magic that millions have visited through the novels of the Grishaverse.

This collection of six stories includes three brand-new tales, all of them lavishly illustrated with art that changes with each turn of the page, culminating in six stunning full-spread illustrations as rich in detail as the stories themselves.

Why I'm Waiting:


Leigh Bardugo hooked me at the beginning of last year with Six of Crows. Her mastery of character development continues to awe and inspire me, even outside of writing. Not only that, but if there's one YA genre I love more than fantasy, it's fairy tales and their retellings. I can't wait to see what Bardugo does with her fantasy worlds!

What books are you waiting on?


Other posts you may like: 

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Because You Love to Hate Me: 13 Tales of Villainy

Amber the Blonde Writer - Can't-Wait Wednesday

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme that focuses on the yet-to-be released books we're waiting for and is hosted by Wishful Endings. It's inspired by Waiting on Wednesday by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Today I'm highlighting an anthology about our beloved evil-doers!

Title: Because You Love to Hate Me: 13 Tales of Villainy
Author: Various Authors
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: July 11, 2017
Add to Goodreads

Goodreads' summary:


In this unique YA anthology, thirteen acclaimed, bestselling authors team up with thirteen influential
Amber the Blonde Writer - Waiting on Wednesday - Because You Love to Hate Me
BookTubers to reimagine fairy tales from the oft-misunderstood villains' points of view.

These fractured, unconventional spins on classics like "Medusa," Sherlock Holmes, and "Jack and the Beanstalk" provide a behind-the-curtain look at villains' acts of vengeance, defiance, and rage--and the pain, heartbreak, and sorrow that spurned them on. No fairy tale will ever seem quite the same again!

Featuring writing from . . .

Authors: Renée Ahdieh, Ameriie, Soman Chainani, Susan Dennard, Sarah Enni, Marissa Meyer, Cindy Pon, Victoria Schwab, Samantha Shannon, Adam Silvera, Andrew Smith, April Genevieve Tucholke, and Nicola Yoon

BookTubers: Benjamin Alderson (Benjaminoftomes), Sasha Alsberg (abookutopia), Whitney Atkinson (WhittyNovels), Tina Burke (ChristinaReadsYA blog and TheLushables), Catriona Feeney (LittleBookOwl), Jesse George (JessetheReader), Zoë Herdt (readbyzoe), Samantha Lane (Thoughts on Tomes), Sophia Lee (thebookbasement), Raeleen Lemay (padfootandprongs07), Regan Perusse (PeruseProject), Christine Riccio (polandbananasBOOKS), and Steph Sinclair & Kat Kennedy (Cuddlebuggery blog and channel).

Why I'm Waiting:


I have always struggled with writing a strong villain because they always end up being too cliche or too quirky to feel relatable. This anthology sounds like the perfect "research" for me on my journey to creating that perfect evil-doer. Of course, you know I'm not going to neglect mentioning Marissa Meyer and Victoria Schwab, two of the greatest writers of our time.

What books are you waiting on?


Other posts you may like: 

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Can't-Wait Wednesday: When Dimple Met Rishi

Amber the Blonde Writer - Can't Wait Wednesday

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme that focuses on the yet-to-be released books we're waiting for and is hosted by Wishful Endings. It's inspired by Waiting on Wednesday by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Today I'm highlighting a modern-day romantic comedy that focuses on arranged marriages!

Title: When Dimple Met Rishi
Author: Sandhya Menon
Genre: YA Romance
Publication Date: May 30, 2017
Add to Goodreads

Goodreads' summary:


Amber the Blonde Writer - Waiting on Wednesday - When Dimple Met Rishi
Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Ugh. Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers…right?

Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. Because as silly as it sounds to most people in his life, Rishi wants to be arranged, believes in the power of tradition, stability, and being a part of something much bigger than himself.

The Shahs and Patels didn’t mean to start turning the wheels on this “suggested arrangement” so early in their children’s lives, but when they noticed them both gravitate toward the same summer program, they figured, Why not?

Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.

Why I'm Waiting:


I rarely pick up romantic comedies because they're usually the same stories or the same characters as the book I last finished. However, I find it enjoyable to read rom-coms involving places or people from other cultures because I'm learning as I read, and I have something to focus on besides the next fluff moment. Throw in my years as an Asian Studies minor in college in addition to my YA background, and this novel has me hooked.

What books are you waiting on?


Other posts you may enjoy:

Saturday, May 13, 2017

#WritersLife: Establishing a (Fun) Reading Schedule

Amber the Blonde Writer - #WritersLife

#WritersLife, where I talk writing in real life.

If you've been writing for a few weeks or drafts, you've definitely heard the ancient proverb of our great word wizards: if you want to write well, you must read often. This has always been the case for me. When I find myself in a reading slump, I pick up Marissa Meyer, Sara Raasch, or Leigh Bardugo to kick my butt in gear and inspire myself to get back to writing. Reading your favorite authors is also great for taking notes on what you like personally as well as reminding yourself of what works for the current reader.

However, mixing up your reading choices can also help put your mind in a better place. Not every YA book I read has to be a learning experience the first time, and not every book I read has to be YA in order for me to enjoy it. In fact, reading outside your normal reading genre or topic can open up opportunity for things to incorporate into your preferred genre or can serve as reminders for things you never want to do in your writing.

This is where a fun reading schedule comes in. Many bloggers follow reading schedules centered around genres or release dates to coordinate with their review posts, and recreational readers tend to follow the most sought-after titles on their TBR list. For me, I'm focusing more on leisure reading and new writing, which means book reviews aren't as prominent on my blog as they once were. I am open to read whatever my heart calls me to read, whether it's YA, faith-based, or academic.

Young adult novels


I am a lover of YA. I started reading YA when I was in elementary school and have no plans of stopping now that I'm a nearly quarter-century adult. When the blog started in 2014, I focused only on dystopian novels, dipping into adult for analyses and comparisons for how the genre had transformed. In 2015 I expanded the blog to include more of my interests and wrote book reviews on YA fantasy, historical, and fairy-tale retellings in addition to general science fiction although it remained predominantly dystopian. 

In 2016, I fell deep into my #WritersLife segment and introduced an even amount of reading-related posts and writing-related posts. When I started working my two jobs in the fall of that year, I took a complete hiatus from reading, writing, and blogging to refocus my goals because I felt like my purpose was shaken. I read a few novels, varying from adult to YA to faith, but nothing seemed to really speak to me.

Picking back up in 2017, I know I still want to focus on young adult novels, but now I'm reading a wider variety than ever before. I can't stop reading contemporary novels about mental illness, especially after spending a year working for a college where a large number of my regular students identified as living with mental illnesses. However, I'm also slipping away from my science fiction lore to more fairy-retellings and historical reads. 

No matter what I end up reading, I will always lean toward YA when I need a pick-me-up or motivation to write my own story. While my love for YA remains strong, that may be the only thing that hasn't changed.

Faith-based reading


Normally, I wouldn't focus on much of my private life because my blog has always focused on words, but my decision to become Catholic has touched all areas of my life, including my reading choices. I spent 2016 starting and finishing the Bible (New Living Translation) and signed up for RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) classes.

Amber the Blonde Writer - Teresa of Avila The Book of My LifeOn Easter of this year, I was confirmed in full communion with the Catholic Church. At the start of 2017, I started reading The Catechism of the Catholic Church and have spent the last month reading Teresa of Avila: The Book of My Life, translated by Mirabai Starr, the memoir of the woman I chose to be my patron saint. This memoir has helped me overcome the trials I face and better understand how to react to my emotional states so that I remain mature and obedient to God's will.

Understanding my body and mind has shaped not only the way I am, but also how my relationships with others carry out. This transformation carries into my perception of people and characters, leaving me wondering how to write about characters in a way that will show this complex, constant struggle. Any change in our being will affect our art, and I think it's important to connect with what we surround ourselves with to understand the change that will occur in what we produce.

Learning about my faith and myself has helped me personally, but I still rely on academic and craft reading to hone in on the words and structure my work needs to convey my message. 

Academic studies


I spent the last 9 months tutoring at another local college despite the promises of leaving behind education for good. However, I love learning much more than I love teaching, and I think that's why I was able to return, if only for a little while.The chance to be around so many diverse people reminded me of the lessons we learn from each other even when we don't intend to teach.

Amber the Blonde Writer - Self-Editing for Fiction Writers
Craft books are still a favorite of mine. I read Stephen King's On Writing, and it remains the single best writing craft book I've come across. Throughout my college career, we referred to Janet Burroway for everything. While Burroway is great for building a story, I often found the books too lengthy for easy reference, but for general information, her books are a great source. For editing, the best resource I've read is Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King.

Learning how to enhance my creative writing has been a greatly self-taught skill. Eric references me sources quite often, and my Twitter writing friends are also immense help in finding the gems. My college instructors weren't keen on how to find ourselves teachers outside of school, so I really only had one professor teaching me invaluable skills I still use to this day (thanks, Sirkin!).

Whatever your art or craft is, read about it. If you truly love it, or aren't sure if you truly love, study it: spending hours figuring out the right phrase to tell a character how to get lost without saying get lost is a good indication that writing holds a strong interest for you.

Read everything. Read what you love. Read what you can't stand. Read boring stuff to remind you how to not write that way. Read tabloids if that's what you like. Read historical documents if that's what you like. Read religious texts if that's what you like. Find what you like and read it. Not everything has to be a learning lesson, but everything always is.

#writerslife


Other posts you may enjoy: