Another chilly day at the beach. Days like this used to be an invitation to stay inside, with a hot drink, a good book, and a snoring dog not far away. Today, however, I am hard at work trying to find new work. Somehow, it doesn't really seem fair.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
A Bit About Me
From the time I was a little girl it was my dream to write stories, for my own amusement, as well as the amusement of others. I scribbled out little tales of witches good and evil, princesses, invisible dogs, aliens, and comedy bits a la Steve Allen (yep, I was a weird kid), and then animatedly presented them to the graciously captive audiences of my parents, grandparents, relative who would listen, and my dog (who was NOT invisible). Although, outside of my little family enclave I was a painfully shy kid, writing and telling stories and accounts of my little life gave me an outlet to interact with folks other than my patiently appreciative (or extremely tolerant) family members. By the time I was 10 year old, I was encouraged by my fifth grade teacher, Miss Robin, to write little articles for the mimeographed pages of the weekly "News Sheet" was distributed to the fifth and sixth grade classes at Valley View Elementary in Whittier. I later wrote for my high school and college papers, and the local Whittier Daily News. It was was the beginning of a lifelong career as a writer and editor for a variety of publications operating within the greater Los Angeles area. Not a celebrated journalist's life, but a quietly rewarding life. Until recently...
The industry, at least the business niche into which I had fallen, had become unrecognizable from the one I had idealized for lo, these many years. Change is natural, and with a little patience, one can always adapt. However, when combined with contrary, high-ranking decision-makers, my little niche of publishing had become too much to tolerate, and remain sane. So, I decided to call it a day. After 11 years as an editor for a medical publishing company that had become a brain-draining, energy-sapping, spirit-killing sweat shop, I submitted my two weeks notice. Not an easy decision in this uncertain economy, but with the support of my wonderful husband, and equally wonderful family and friends, I'm determined to return to my "roots" and, once again, pursue my dream of writing stories. Hopefully, not for just the amusement of my dog and I....
The industry, at least the business niche into which I had fallen, had become unrecognizable from the one I had idealized for lo, these many years. Change is natural, and with a little patience, one can always adapt. However, when combined with contrary, high-ranking decision-makers, my little niche of publishing had become too much to tolerate, and remain sane. So, I decided to call it a day. After 11 years as an editor for a medical publishing company that had become a brain-draining, energy-sapping, spirit-killing sweat shop, I submitted my two weeks notice. Not an easy decision in this uncertain economy, but with the support of my wonderful husband, and equally wonderful family and friends, I'm determined to return to my "roots" and, once again, pursue my dream of writing stories. Hopefully, not for just the amusement of my dog and I....
Friday, May 13, 2011
And So It Begins
Welcome to my first blog. Yes, I know I'm a little late to the party, but there's no time like the present.
Why now? Since most blogs seem to be created by writers (okay, and non writers) in transition, and I have recently joined that group of individuals, I thought this might be an ideal time for me, a woman of a certain age, to keep an online journal about the experience of chiseling out a new path in life's second half. It is possible this will be written for my own amusement, but I invite family, friends, and anyone else who might be interested in this Whittier Girl's next chapter, to come along and share the journey. Who knows where it could lead.
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