Monday, April 23, 2012

Sinking my Teeth into My Job (that rarely feels like a job)


There’s the writing.

Then there’s the business side of things.

And I’ve found lately I’m finding creative ways to enjoy—to sink my teeth into both aspects of my chosen field.

First we’ll talk writing:
Thrilled. Thrilled, I say chap chap cheroo (yes, making things up I am). Not only did I spend focused time editing on Saturday, an entirely new cast of characters showed up and crashed my mental party plans. So what did I do? I partied with them. I took notes. Without challenging their arrival, I sat and wrote the first 3K of their story. Who knows where they’ll end up? Published? Maybe, maybe not, but my blood coursed with that feverish excitement that only flows when I’m writing. And I fell in love with the craft all over again. 

Job? This is too much fun to be called work.

Now the business side:
When viewed as connecting, supporting others, promoting solid writing, and reaching out, I dig it. But there’s one key word in that last sentence: Viewed. How we view our jobs will impact every moment we spend in our line of work.

Of course there are days when it all feels difficult. The writing, editing, and platform building remind me of driving through flooded streets. Or constructing the Great Wall of China. But you know who I blame the wah wah feelings on? Me. Myself. And I. We can be a sorry trio. There will always be things out of our control in life, but we control how or even if we choose to move ahead (READ this fantabulous post by Chuck Sambuchino at Writer Unboxed. Side note: I’m more than a little impressed he can get his dog to listen for as long as 5 minutes).

The real gold nugget here is that I refuse to stay stuck in the wah. I trigger change. I invite it. I dive into it, belly flopping when I so feel led. I’m a mover (URL should be a dead giveaway on that). And after years of going strong, I’ve found new ways to sink my teeth into my calling.

And you, what have you sunk your teeth into lately?

*photo by stockXCHNG

33 comments:

  1. "How we view our jobs will impact every moment we spend in our line of work." So true. I've been so frustrated with my WIP lately. I think I need to change my attitude and dive back in.

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    1. Get in there & fight, Julie. Let me know how it goes!

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  2. Sinking me teeth into God's Word this morning. It was much needed.

    Love this uplifting post, Wendy!

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  3. It's so exciting when those new characters show up! I have problems corralling mine sometimes! Yes, it makes you enjoy writing all over again.

    Love the visual of platform-building as driving through flooded streets. Sometimes you wish you could just chuck it all and just sit alone with your novels flowing out of you. (Come to think of it, though, I'd rather be blogging than editing...).

    And at nights I've been sinking my teeth into Dani Pettrey's "Submerged." I've really been sucked into this book! I'm supposed to be packing up my house...but reading is such a nice diversion!

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    1. Cannot wait to read Dani's book! She's such a respected author & friend! And my characters can get rowdy at times too.

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  4. I can feel your inspiration through cyberspace, Wendy! Very neat.

    I've been sinking my teeth into research lately, and loving every minute of it.

    Thanks for the post!

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    1. Ohhh, research. Yes, that can be fun! Glad you're loving it.

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  5. Love this!

    Today, I'm going to choose to happily sink my teeth into my day job...until 4:30 p.m. at which time I'll sink my teeth into my "other" job...writing. :)

    Love your view of, well, viewing your job. You're right...how we view it makes all the difference!

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    1. Sometimes it's just a simple switched perspective that can throw the whole deal back on course. Cool you are sinking your teeth into both jobs. I do that too. My mama job gets most of the bite marks. :D

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  6. Excellent reminder! I just entered the platform flood and you've nailed it. That's what it feels like sometimes. On he flip side, I've discovered so many amazing writers out there and my world keeps expanding!

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    1. It really all depends on how you go about "building" that platform. Outward focus keeps it a lot more fun and a whole lot less stressful.

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  7. "...I refuse to stay stuck in the wah."

    Note to self: Learn this.

    Always love the wisdom you bring to my life, Wendy!

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    1. Yah, note to self, learn that too! :D Writing it b/c I'm in the process of, have yet to accomplish.

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  8. I sunk my teeth into this post! Great stuff. I'm always sinking my teeth into the Word. I don't look at it as an obligation of being a Christian, but a joyous time to bask in God's glory! :)

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    1. I feel this every time I visit your blog & it's refreshing beyond!

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  9. I still struggle with balancing it all, but realized that when I sink my teeth in to something I need to be fully committed on that task, not wanting to taste from the forbidden plate of the moment. Editing my WIP, I came across new research, which will bring about a rewrite of some details on my current WIP. It's exciting and exasperating as I dive back into these chapters I thought were finished.

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    1. Sounds like true dedication to me! Sinking my teeth in meant immersing myself in the task at hand. Loved every second. Generally do when I can quiet the other yippy discouraging voices in my head.

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  10. I've sunk my teeth into publishing. I'm in the heart of marketing, while finishing up book 2. What I love about sinking my teeth into this new writing role is the way doors just open once we make a change. I've found so many opportunities to get my work out there, I don't have enough hours in the day to get everything done! So, a new role, and new changes have come along.

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    1. It's cool to watch those doors open, eh? Chuck mentioned that in his post. Such a worthy read.

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  11. Wow, I'm excited for you just reading how excited you are!! LOL Can I sink my teeth into that?

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  12. I love that you partied with your characters. Way cool! I usually just argue with them. ;p

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    1. Best kind of party there is. They certainly have a mind of their own, don't they? Ha, that is really funny for me to think about considering I create them.

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  13. This is a great post, and yay for a new story and characters! I've sunk my teeth into something similar, being focused and disciplined with writing and blogging, while still allowing myself moments for down-time and plenty of room for spontaneity. Writing is starting to become fun again!

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    1. Congratulations on semi-finaling! And I love that the fun is coming back to town!

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  14. I love this, Wendy. I just started a new draft today...Okay, so I only got 250 words down before the kiddos hijacked, but it's progress! :)

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  15. "I refuse to stay stuck in the wah."
    Seriously love that quote today because, well, I've been "wahing" a bit.
    And I am going to stop with the "glass half full" attitude and celebrate -- not fuss and fret about all the maybes.
    And oh, yeah: that is one serious set of chompers in that photo, friend.

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  16. You always inspire me, Wendy! I'm ready to get into a better writing routine...time to sink my teeth in. :)

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  17. I'm enjoying this post so much...I've been not only stuck in the wah, from time to time over the last couple of months, but screaming my baby head off as I thrashed around in it. :-) You're right, though, it is about attitude, especially when it comes to social media. I think it really helps when I remember every writer as my friend who is dealing with her own challenges and trying to find her way through them. It counters the flatness we tend to lay on others.

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  18. I've been sinking my teeth into promotion. Am learning how incredibly supportive others are of a soon-to-be debut author like me who feels kinda clueless at times.

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  19. I wish the real job I had right now didn't feel like a job, but I guess it's all about perspective. To be honest, the marketing part of a book is one of my biggest fears.

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