Wednesday 4 January 2012

GBE2 topic of the week: Work


I've been wondering what to write about the topic of Work.  Many people have had a wide variety of interesting jobs, but I only had one - teaching.  Okay, it was in three different High Schools over a period of 25 years, and I did teach a variety of subjects. Although my main subject was History, I also got roped in to teaching other things from time to time, ranging from Geography (which I hated at school!) to French for just one term (with the worst French accent ever!).

Then I got to thinking about other 'work' I've done, and in particular my voluntary work.

For over 20 years, I was the leader of a Girl Guide Company and also held various 'adviser' roles in our local District and County, ranging from PR, to Arts, to Training, and ending as County Commissioner, with responsibility for all the adults leaders in our local area.  And if that wasn't work, I don't know what was! Meetings nearly every evening or visits to units or helping leaders with their training - and their problems too.  But it was very satisfying 'work'.


Then for about 12 years I directed musical shows (2 shows each year) with the Junior Section of our local Musical Theatre Group, and frequently was involved with making costumes, scenery and props, as well as actually directing the action on the stage.  The few weeks leading up to 'Show Week' often involved the hardest work I've ever done! But so rewarding to see those teenagers wow their audiences with their acting, singing and dancing and to watch them gain in confidence (and talent) each year.


But now I'm retired, not just from my paid work but also from my voluntary work (well, almost all of it!). So have I stopped working?  Don't believe it!  I'm working as hard as ever, but now my efforts are directed at writing my novels and then promoting them. It's a different kind of work, but it's still hard-going at times. 

However, just as my teaching and voluntary work were satisfying and rewarding, so is my writing, especially when a reader tells me how much she's enjoyed my book!

17 comments:

  1. Hi Paula, I have to wonder if all writers are prone to having that intrinsic need for work. It seems that most continue to think over plots and characters no matter what else it is they are doing during the day... do you too?

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  2. What a dedicated person you are Paula. Now you made me curious in finding your book :)

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  3. K - I think about my plots and characters at many different times - even when I'm washing the dishes.

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  4. Claudia - the new one 'Fragrance of Violets' will come out in February, but the previous one 'His Leading Lady' is available on Amazon.

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  5. Yep...you know I am right there with you. Retired and writing. Loving it. The current wip is not going well, but I know it's cyclical and the winter doldrums are not good for my creative side, so it is on the shelf (so to speak) for now and I am just commenting and blogging. And reading...lots of reading.

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  6. Hope your muse will return when spring comes, Jo. I'm doing the final edit (hopefully) of my 4th book (actually my 8th if you count my 4 early ones). I'm now looking forward to starting a new one now!

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  7. I would love to read Fragrance of Violets! Best of luck in your writing endeavors!

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  8. Thanks, beachlover - Fragrance will be available from Whiskey Creek Press in February, and should also be on Amazon by the end of Feb.

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  9. I thoroughly enjoyed your last book (though to be honest, I didn't expect to--you've given me a new view of romance novels) and am looking forward to this next one. I'm also looking forward to the day when I can leave my current job behind and free up more time to write. These days, I squeeze it in between the rest of the stuff.

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  10. I was so thrilled that you enjoyed HLL, Beth, especially as I knew you weren't really into romance novels! Hope you'll also enjoy Fragrance. I LOVE my two characters in that story!
    I remember well how I used to have squeeze writing in between all my other commitments - especially having to go to bed even though I was on a roll, because I had to get up early the next morning to go to work!

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  11. I always find it amazing when someone says that writing "isn't really work" - they've no idea how draining it can be. (Not to mention suffering from writer's butt from sitting too long!) In fact, I've been known to go scrub the kitchen floor or clean a light fixture just to avoid writing...

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  12. Writing is some of the hardest work there is!

    Fun though, and just like real life, our characters don't always behave as we'd like them to.

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  13. Sounds to me like all of your jobs have been very interesting. Good luck with the new novel.

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  14. I've gotta say, writing is a tough job but I totally love it!

    Happy New Year, Paula!

    PS: Do I still get a guest blog slot on your blog? We never got to do it last year.

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  15. We tend to forget all the other types of work we do! And yes, writing is one of the hardest of all, but you do it beautifully!

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  16. Li, Beverley and Rosemary - seems we're all agreed that writing can be hard work! I'm sure non-writers think we just sit down at the computer and the words flow. Oh, if wishing made it so!

    KAT, thanks for visiting and for your good wishes.

    Kiru, not sure where last year went, but yes, we're still looking for Friday Friends on our Heroines with Hearts blog!

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  17. Surely it can't be any coincidence that lots of our writers are, or have been, teachers. Nice to know you are still 'working', thought surely it is more of a pleasure now ;o)

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