tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post1131655576209950932..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: I'm a writer and I'm thinking of applying to work at a lit agencyJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64510630173120866652016-01-21T17:55:44.927-05:002016-01-21T17:55:44.927-05:00Oh, Kae! I'm sorry if my comment came across t...Oh, Kae! I'm sorry if my comment came across that I was upset. Not at all. I just can't do a first edit electronically. I end up copying, pasting, deleting, moving stuff when really, what I need to be focusing on is the story for the first pass. No, I do most of my editing by hand. I just have no brain at the end of the day.<br /><br />I'm upset with myself for not writing as much as I'd like, but that's another story altogether. Before I went back to work this last time, I would sit at the computer and let the movie that was my story run through my head and just transcribe it to get it all on paper. Since I started working full time again, the screen seems to have burned out :(nightsmusichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05984119792540771870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-25048964878773164632016-01-21T17:20:03.634-05:002016-01-21T17:20:03.634-05:00Colin's hypothetical situations brought up ano...Colin's hypothetical situations brought up another thought for me. Both writing and agenting are both long games. It takes time to develop your skill as a writer and your contacts and sales as an agent. I want an agent that is going to help grow my career and not quit suddenly because now their other career is taking off. Life happens and things change, I get that. But if going in to the agent thing, you are thinking, "when I get my writing career off the ground, I am out of here," well, that's not the agent I really want.<br /><br />Figure out which of those things you want most and work towards that. Being an agent is not a disposable job and you would have clients counting on you.Panda in Chiefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14160375490647791433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-91779451583894344582016-01-21T16:56:21.385-05:002016-01-21T16:56:21.385-05:00Oh, NM, I'm sorry! I NEVER meant to imply that...Oh, NM, I'm sorry! I NEVER meant to imply that you weren't trying!!! I absolutely did NOT meant to cause you any offense - sorry!!! (And yes, I can't edit electronically either.)<br />btw, I like 'NM' - it *is* easier than typing 'nightsmusic' - especially when commenting on my phone, like I was yesterday. Perhaps I should follow your example and be 'KR'? :)Kae Ridwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10356868531870405990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-60319066653395111542016-01-21T06:45:10.806-05:002016-01-21T06:45:10.806-05:00There will never be a book so good, so perfect and...<i>There will never be a book so good, so perfect and memorable, that I won't ever have to read another.</i><br /><br />I LOVE this! Love, love, love it! I cannot imagine stopping reading after some of the great books I've already read. If anything, it drives me to read even more.<br /><br />Kae, I'm trying. And my boss doesn't care if I go through my MS by hand. I do that anyway. Electronic editing on a first pass for me just doesn't work.<br /><br />And...are Mona and Lucia talking about the rest of us and we don't know it? ;) I'm jealous. If I'd had someone to speak Gaelic with after my grandparents and mother passed, I'd still speak it now. Alas...nightsmusichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05984119792540771870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-74461371668241678552016-01-21T04:16:09.544-05:002016-01-21T04:16:09.544-05:00Wow, you guys! Fantastic discussion here, and I to...Wow, you guys! Fantastic discussion here, and I totally agree with the whole 'can't be committed to both' theme here.<br />Congratulations to Kat and Laura Mary! Motherhood is an absolute blast, and I wish I'd written while my babies were younger. But I worked part time and was completing my Masters, so yeh - you can't have everything! But when I was reading your post, Laura Mary, I remembered this post by Delilah S.Dawson on Chuck Wendig's blog: http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2015/01/13/delilah-s-dawson-25-writing-hacks-from-a-hack-writer/ (I know you're way past your comment limit, Colin, so perhaps someone else can linkify these for me...?) where she spoke about first writing when she was at home with her newborn. However you want to write though - or not write, and NOT feel guilty because you'll never get those days / weeks / months back ever again - just be you. Being true to yourself is always the best course of action, I've found :)<br />And nightsmusic, I hear you! Although I don't have that problem at work (the time to be creative but not the clarity of head space) I have that problem with the afternoons / evenings, with countless interruptions but still tiny pockets of time here and there until all three kids are abed. I've found that instead of getting new words written, I can manage enough concentration to get a paragraph edited. Or half a paragraph. Or a sentence. I have just enough focus to get something small done, which not only makes me feel like I'm making progress, but also means that there's one paragraph less to edit, when I *do* get the time to have a concentrated block of 'writing time'. And seeing as you have a sympathetic boss, it might be worthwhile trying? Anyway, just a thought. Feel free to ignore it completely :)Kae Ridwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10356868531870405990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-56485025091915465862016-01-21T03:19:09.773-05:002016-01-21T03:19:09.773-05:00Congrats Laura Mary!
My biggest tip would just b...Congrats Laura Mary! <br /><br />My biggest tip would just be to go easy on yourself. You might find your baby sleeps pretty well and hence you can sleep with her (and then be well rested and perky when you're both up) or she might decide she only wants naps for 20 minutes at a time, and only when you hold her in THIS PARTICULAR WAY or there is screaming. You might find you're full of storytelling ideas, or that you can't think past an hour away. Everyone is different. Every mother, every kid. You do what works for you.<br /><br />Be prepared to cut yourself more slack than you've probably ever done before, because parenting can be hard, it can be exhausting, it will be delightful, and it may take all your energy. It is OK to not have the creative energy to do much during those early times. It is OK to have a kid with no routine. If you ever have a time where you should not beat yourself up for not getting much accomplished, it's now.<br /><br />I achieved nothing in the year after our first child was born. He fed for long stretches, barely slept, was engaged and beautiful and amazing, and I could barely answer emails, let alone write books. But the year after, having become the master of being awake at all hours of the night, I began to get up at 5am and write. I finished the novel I'd started TEN YEARS before. I had another baby, then edited the novel. Then I submitted it and found an agent. Now, because my boys will hunt me down if I am up at 5, I write at night when they're asleep.<br /><br />Some people I know couldn't get anything done when they had small kids in the house. Some others I know wrote multiple novels with an infant. You do what you can.<br /><br />I know Robin Hobb and Pat Rothfuss are doing a panel together at an upcoming convention on writing with small children in the house - if there is a transcript available I'll link it here after it happens!<br /><br />Congratulations again.Sam Hawkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05549251130820223139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-751114466812411812016-01-21T02:36:06.540-05:002016-01-21T02:36:06.540-05:00いつでもいいですよ!
Ah, that was fun. It was totally on to...いつでもいいですよ!<br /><br />Ah, that was fun. It was totally on topic, Lucia. <i>*whistles innocently and avoids eye contact*</i><br /><br />LynnRodz, you got it! Now join our secret society. <i>*rubs hands together gleefully*</i><br /><br />I also think it's true that the busier you are, the more organized—but only to a certain extent. Then it's just stress stress stress.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06411520040763223680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-65235952387273103182016-01-21T01:50:39.447-05:002016-01-21T01:50:39.447-05:00Over 80 comments and some in Japanese to boot! I ...Over 80 comments and some in Japanese to boot! I started learning Japanese years ago, but abandoned it. I'm glad you two, Lucia and Mona, have found a support system with one another. That is, if I understood correctly.<br /><br />Anyway, to the topic at hand, I basically skimmed the comments, but agree with John, I think we can be great at more than one thing. It takes discipline and determination. Actually, I think the more people have on their plate, the more organized they are to get things done. Unlike many here, the more time I seem to have on my hands, the less time I find to do things. <br /><br />As for OP, I'm sure you'll take Janet's advice. LynnRodzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10796099106913990163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-33162730959875051462016-01-21T01:17:01.544-05:002016-01-21T01:17:01.544-05:00Her Grace, the Duchess of Kneale said:
No one has ...Her Grace, the Duchess of Kneale said:<br />No one has to sing all the verses of their life at the same time.<br /><br /><br />I like that!<br /><br />Sign me Singing! But, alas, luciakaku and Mona Zarka, not in Japanese.Pam Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10535615408563055466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-21299120842134737262016-01-21T00:43:41.296-05:002016-01-21T00:43:41.296-05:00Mona,うん!びっくりした!
で、なんで内緒なの?モナさんみたいな人はいないと困るよ!^_~ 読者...Mona,うん!びっくりした!<br />で、なんで内緒なの?モナさんみたいな人はいないと困るよ!^_~ 読者が大好きよ〜 ありがとう。いつか頼むかもしれない<br /><br />>.><br /><.<<br />Does anyone else speak Japanese, or can I claim this is all on topic and avoid a trip to Carkoon? *scuffs toe* I got excited...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-58342104776491378472016-01-20T22:56:30.095-05:002016-01-20T22:56:30.095-05:00Lucia, こちらこそ!びっくりですね!日本語を少しだけ勉強しましたから、間違えて変なことを言った...Lucia, こちらこそ!びっくりですね!日本語を少しだけ勉強しましたから、間違えて変なことを言ったらすみませんね。内緒ですけど、私は作家じゃなくてさ、ただ読むのが大好きです。ですから、読者の私が何かでき上げる事があったら、ぜひ教えて下さいね!文法のエディティングもよくします。(^_-)<br /><br />長い返事すみません!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06411520040763223680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-85461424127517788692016-01-20T22:37:35.250-05:002016-01-20T22:37:35.250-05:00Congrats Kat and Laura Mary!
Welcome Bethany and ...Congrats Kat and Laura Mary!<br /><br />Welcome Bethany and others!<br /><br />Not much to add here, but I am curious about Opies motivations. Is Opie interested in Agenting (or work in publishing) as a career or in the perceived benefits such positions would give them as a writer?<br /><br />Sometimes we forget to ask ourselves the all important 'why?'even though the 'why' affects our ability to succeed and flourish. <br /><br />It's easy to say 'hey, why not?' It's far more difficult to explain 'this is why' AND understand that the 'why' might not be good enough.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /> Megan Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00752842865397799428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1681450837904944242016-01-20T21:59:18.902-05:002016-01-20T21:59:18.902-05:00And because I'm in Australia and everyone else...<i>And because I'm in Australia and everyone else is asleep, I get to post two comments in a row.</i><br /><br />Burnout is a serious issue. Mastery is also a serious issue.<br /><br />We want to be masters of whatever it is we love. That requires hours and hours of work. It also requires regular practice--every day if we can. Doesn't matter if it's writing, agenting, piano, astronomy, karate. We need to do lots every day.<br /><br />We also need to take a break from the craft we are mastering. This is why so many successful humans have hobbies. Our brains and our hearts need to stretch in different directions.<br /><br />If you work all day at one career, then work all night at a second, almost identical career, when is your downtime? Where is the rest your brain and heart needs?<br /><br />Also, question your reasons for pursuing an agenting career. Are you doing this because you really, truly want to be an agent, or are you doing this because you want to be published, and this is placing you in the heart of the publishing industry?<br /><br />Unless it's what you well and truly want, being an agent by day and a writer by night is a good recipe for disappointment at the least and permanent burnout at the worst.<br /><br />What would happen if you put your writing aside and simply focused on the publishing side of things for now? Could you do that? Because if you can't, don't.<br /><br />No one has to sing all the verses of their life at the same time.<br /><br />Also, whatever career you choose in your twenties will most likely change in your forties. Look at Queen Guitarist Brian May who became renowned Astrophysicist Dr. Brian May.<br /><br />P.S.: I work IT as my day job. The last thing I want to do when I get home is fix another computer. Some day this won't be an issue, as I am phasing out my day job in favour of my writing career.<br /><br />Meanwhile, to keep me sane, I have my music and my stars. <br />Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-61278786281688352642016-01-20T21:58:28.297-05:002016-01-20T21:58:28.297-05:00Donna, it's okay if some people can't incl...<br />Donna, it's okay if some people can't include HTMl. By showing all those who can include html, there will be more of us who can help those who can't.<br /><br />Laura Mary, I've done that career change. the DotCom crash bereft me of my full-time IT career. Just happened to fall pregnant with a keeper two months later. I will tell you anything you want to know about writing books and wraising babies.<br /><br />Eventually the newborns settle into a routine. If you include some sort of "Quiet Time" for the child in that routine, you can use that as your writing time. Do not expect anything more than twenty minutes, possibly divided into two or three segments. <br /><br />Do not use naptime as writing time. Naptime for baby should be naptime for you, or at the very least reading time. <br /><br />Bethany Elizabeth, welcome.Her Grace, Heidi, the Duchess of Knealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17818060864422019573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-68759463619400359642016-01-20T21:47:18.925-05:002016-01-20T21:47:18.925-05:00Colin, I've heard that speculation too, that a...Colin, I've heard that speculation too, that a certain ms is "too similar" to something else already repped or published and . . . I'm calling bullshit. I think it's a polite excuse for something that isn't quite good enough.<br /><br />Maybe I'm hopelessly naive, but I <i>abhor</i> this notion that writers are in competition with each other. I don't understand where that comes from. It's contrary to every single experience I've had as a writer. And as a reader.<br /><br />There will never be a book so good, so perfect and memorable, that I won't ever have to read another. Likewise, I sincerely doubt there is a book (or writer) so awesome that an agent will never need to rep another or a book so profitable that a publisher will never have to publish another. There is always room for more good writers. Because there will always be readers who want more stories.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-45252119055310808092016-01-20T21:27:07.730-05:002016-01-20T21:27:07.730-05:00Opie,
Were I young and looking for a career that ...Opie,<br /><br />Were I young and looking for a career that is conducive to a writer's life, this is what I'd do:<br /><br />1. Make a list of current popular writers you like. <br />2. Check what careers or jobs they had before becoming full time writers.<br />3. Replace any who held jobs you cannot do or would hate doing.<br />4. When you have about twenty who held jobs or careers you can do, see if there is a trend.<br /><br />For example, John Grisham and Steve Berry were lawyers. Maybe you can't go to law school or would hate doing that. Stephen King was a teacher. If there is no trend, add a few more.<br /><br />Eventually, you should see some job you'd like or at least tolerate and that is the career direction I'd go. <br />Mister Furkleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07156977719916770984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-30779024412276799582016-01-20T21:12:46.217-05:002016-01-20T21:12:46.217-05:00Colin, as to situation 1, I'm not entirely sur...Colin, as to situation 1, I'm not entirely sure that's all that different from one of the other major reasons agents don't request: they have something similar on their desk right now. Yes, Writer Agent's book would be repped by another agent, but that doesn't really change the reason too much. "This isn't for me because there's something similar hanging around" is pretty common from what I hear.<br /><br />And with number 2, it sounds like the timelines are totally different. Writer Agent's book is ready to go on submission to publishers, while Client has only just shown the new manuscript to Writer Agent. Unless I'm totally wrong here, it'll be a while before the Client's MS gets anywhere near submission. That might not disqualify it from being a conflict of interest, but since publishing moves so slowly, they might not crisscross much at all.<br /><br />Aside from addressing those specific examples, it's a matter of ethics. If you're concerned what you're doing is unethical, it probably is. Stop. <br /><br />Mona, うわ!日本語しゃべる?めずらしいね〜 友達になろうよ ^_^ <br />すてきな夢。お互いに頑張ろう。何か手伝って上げることがあったら教えてねAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-64999091153474937142016-01-20T20:20:25.220-05:002016-01-20T20:20:25.220-05:00Really, this is my last comment, and I'm only ...Really, this is my last comment, and I'm only commenting because I don't think anyone has addressed my "conflict of interest" point. And maybe it's a moot point--it would never happen. But here's what I mean.<br /><br />Hypothetical situations:<br /><br />1) Agent Felix has been repping mysteries for 10 years. He decides he wants to write a mystery, so he does: MURDER ON KALE STREET. It's polished and ready to submit to some agent friends he think would be interested. Next morning, he's going through his inbox when he comes across a flawless query for a mystery that sounds like direct competition for MURDER ON KALE STREET. If it wasn't for the fact he had just written this novel, he might have requested pages, and perhaps even offered rep. Conflict.<br /><br />2) MURDER ON KALE STREET finds an agent and is ready to go out on submission. Then one of Felix's clients presents him with a wonderful manuscript for a novel not unlike MURDER ON KALE STREET. Does he withdraw his own manuscript so he can fully support his client (after all, publishers probably wouldn't take his book AND his client's book too)? Or does he favor his own work in the interest of his own writing career?<br /><br />Given that agents rep what they know best, then I would expect writer-agents to write in that same genre. Which is why I would be concerned about such conflicts of interest.<br /><br />Am I way off, or is this a valid concern?<br /><br />OK. That's it for today. Sorry for the rule-breaking, and thanks for your indulgence everyone! :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-38561971756157055972016-01-20T19:57:19.770-05:002016-01-20T19:57:19.770-05:00Following Janet's own rules, I'm going to ...Following Janet's own rules, I'm going to Be Brave (and hope that this disclaimer keeps me from eating kale chips in Carkoon!), and maybe add a different perspective. I love my very difficult, demanding day job. Truly love it. But I also love writing. Writing is how I unwind from my day (after putting the kids to bed), even if its only 15 minutes at a time. I escape into the world I write and maybe some day I'll get published. And maybe I won't. Knowing the odds of getting published are small won't stop me from trying and I also won't let myself get discouraged when fundamentally, I'm trying to sell art. And art is subjective. <br /><br />Writing a great book is laudable (seriously, pat yourself on the back - it's hard work), but just the beginning. Getting an agent and getting published are both amazing, but still don't guarantee success. My book may get published but not sell. I've read that you have to get at least 3 books published before you can consider it a job (yikes!). I don't know if that's true, but isn't there some merit is pursuing a career in a field you love, in case you don't ever get to sell your book? Or sell it at a level where it is the only thing you do? I'd hate to see the OP miss out on their calling because they also love to write. That said, you have to understand that your pace of writing is going to get slower or you will have to get more efficient about the time you spend writing. And couldn't that be ok too?Katie Loves Coffeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15354098379566246348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-65856529893557782232016-01-20T19:34:35.796-05:002016-01-20T19:34:35.796-05:00I'm having all sorts of mixed feelings/thought...I'm having all sorts of mixed feelings/thoughts about this. This person says she is currently working in publishing and has worked as an intern at a literary agency. So I assume she knows the workload and intensity involved. Maybe she has found it not to be a drain on her creativity? And I think that's the key.<br /><br />I've worked jobs (finance) that were intensely demanding in terms of energy and time, all while raising kids and writing. I like to think I did all three pretty damn well. But it was a matter of focus. When I was doing one, I wasn't (usually) stressing about the other two. There was no question of bringing work home, as it was sensitive/private and had to be done IN the office. <br /><br />But I've also had jobs, as well as life situations, where the stress and worry followed me everywhere. I had one job where cutbacks meant I had to not only crunch numbers but also handle some face-to-face customer service, which as an extreme introvert I found draining and exhausting. Added to anger and resentment over poor management, it killed my creativity. I'd come home with just enough energy to sit and stare at the wall.<br /><br />So I think it depends. If you're working 12-hour days and come home feeling like you have enough creative energy to write, go for it. Even with 8 hours of sleep (HA!), that still leaves 4 for managing other priorities. If writing is a priority, you'll write. A friend of mine has a saying: "If you want something done, give it to a busy person."<br /><br />My bigger concern is the whole networking thing. Like it or not, there's an "Us vs Them" vibe between writers and agents/publishers. To be blunt, I'd be leery about openly discussing writing-type stuff with a writer who was also one of "Them." I'm sure that's all kinds of wrong and makes me a horrible person. But it's true. I don't know what I'd do without my writer (and reader) friends. Probably lose what's left of my sanity. It's a tough position to put yourself in and I'd really think twice about that.<br /><br />But that's my opinion from the writer's side of things. You really need to pay attention to what Janet is saying from the potential employer side of it, since that affects whether anyone would even hire you.<br /><br />Sorry for being so wordy. Every time I tried to edit, it got longer. *sigh*<br /><br />Congratulations to Kat and Laura Mary for the new and impending motherhood! Wishing you both the time and energy for all the important things in life, whatever they may be.<br /><br />Welcome, Bethany (and all the other new names I see)! Good to hear new voices over here.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-62289709475748273832016-01-20T18:52:29.607-05:002016-01-20T18:52:29.607-05:00This is a wonderful discussion. So much of what ev...This is a wonderful discussion. So much of what everyone's said has resonated with me.<br /><br />Congrats, Laura Mary! And Kat!<br /><br />And to Lucia書く: 頑張ってね! ^_^ 日本に住んで働いて行くのは夢の一つです。Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06411520040763223680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-50114620979408246792016-01-20T17:39:15.624-05:002016-01-20T17:39:15.624-05:0068 comments, no time to read them all now so I'...68 comments, no time to read them all now so I'll comment, and apologize right up front, if I repeat what someone else already has said.<br /><br />Write and be an agent?<br /><br />The queen knows that of which she speaks.<br />And, do your research, one name, Nathan Bransford. <br /><br />Just remember:<br /> <br />YOU CAN DO IT ALL, YOU JUST CAN'T DO IT ALL AT THE SAME TIME.<br />Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-59226877632468448812016-01-20T16:11:07.461-05:002016-01-20T16:11:07.461-05:00Congratulations Kat and Laura Mary! I love Kat...Congratulations Kat and Laura Mary! I love Kat's advice to allow yourself time just to enjoy and be happy--even if there isn't a newborn around.<br /><br />Like some others here, I'm also in academics, and I find that after all the school work I have very little time left in my day. And absolutely no energy.<br /><br />I tried to write everyday, but mostly I stared at the computer screen and got very frustrated with myself for not being focused and creative. Other people wrote lots of beautiful words in much worse circumstances, so what was wrong with me? <br /><br />Now I no longer try to write everyday--during the week I focus on teaching. On the weekend, I don't do any school work and focus on my writing. That leaves my evenings for friends and family. I've learned to give myself a break, and to keep my focus on one thing at a time, and it's made me happier and better at both jobs. Cindy Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13196306055833459983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-83787889776016408982016-01-20T14:27:00.889-05:002016-01-20T14:27:00.889-05:00Thanks for the welcome, everyone!
I think a lot o...Thanks for the welcome, everyone!<br /><br />I think a lot of what it comes down to (at least for me!) is energy. When I'm doing work that energizes me during the day, I have an easier time writing at night. If I'm working on a project that drains my energy, then I don't write at all when I get home.<br /><br />And thank you, Pam! I'm glad there's hope for tech writers. :) The good thing about tech writing is that I'm learning useful skills without draining my creativity. Bethany Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12829932931010851406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-59486662681433820162016-01-20T14:05:07.010-05:002016-01-20T14:05:07.010-05:00One day my IT consulting ran into a problem. I cou...One day my IT consulting ran into a problem. I could see the Payroll Manager’s lips move but had no idea what he was saying. I was in the middle of a train robbery in 1870, figuring how to make the scene work. <br /><br />From then on, either my IT hat or my writing hat was on my head, not both. As BJ said, one cannot serve two masters. Consulting became my help as well as my hindrance. For months I would consult, then a break would come when I could write, living off my savings. <br /><br />The downside? During one break, I resolved to change a screenplay into a play only to find I’d already done that! That break, I marketed the play and got it produced but the production should have happened long before.<br /><br />The exception to the one-hat rule: if I was tech writing, I could also write creatively. Bethany Elizabeth (welcome!) and other tech writers – there is hope!Pam Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10535615408563055466noreply@blogger.com