I was thinking today about the various jobs I’ve had since I was sixteen (when I first legally entered the workforce — that night I was paid cash for doing inventory at Levine’s in Irving doesn’t count!), and I came up with this (in no particular order):
- Taco Bell crewmember
- University library assistant
- Fuddrucker’s waitress (1 day)
- Sears associate (2 days)
- Warehouse clerk
- Mailroom clerk
- Chiropractic assistant
- Library page/assistant
- English teacher in Japan
- Research assistant at trade association
- Collator at real estate agency (1 day – temp job)
- Secretary at 2 different nonprofit associations
- Program officer at international nonprofit
- Newsletter managing editor
- Research assistant at university
- Executive assistant
- Grant writer/director
- Mary Kay sales representative
- IT Help Desk at Fortune 100 company
- Sales/project assistant for German energy company
- Fundraiser for PBS/NPR affiliate
- Renewable energy developer for Irish company
- Wedding photographer (own business)
- Freelance writer (current gig)
These are what come to mind. I’m sure I’ve forgotten a few over the years, but I have to admit, looking back on this rather long list, I have to ask: With a track record like that, what the hell possessed these people to hire me???
And the second realization is that while it was a very long, circuitous route to figuring out that, uh, yeah, I really do just want to write, my consolation is that I have tons of things to write about.
Oh, and that I suck at office work. (And yes, I have been fired at least once. Although technically I’d already stopped going to the office before they officially fired me, so I suppose that doesn’t really count. Does it?)
MRA
Hi, Marjorie! It’s great to see you back. š >>You’ve got such a wonderful wealth of experience to draw upon as a writer. You’ve done a wide range of things in your life, and now, as a writer, you can use that knowledge in your fiction, for your characters. That’s fabulous!>>I hear you on the office job thing. I worked in a university office for almost fourteen years before I left to pursue writing full-time. And if I’d stayed much longer I would have become as entrenched as the Marianas. š So leaving was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I think if I’d stayed I might have fossilized. š >>I’m still working on getting a novel out there in the wide world, but I love what I do — writing and thriving — and that’s what’s important!>>Good luck with your freelance writing, and with finishing your novel! I recall reading earlier posts you made about your novel in progress, and it sounds like it’s going to be great. š You’re very inspirational, my friend!
Hi, Thomma Lyn! Yeah, I’ve got a half dozen or so ideas for future novels just based on the million jobs I’ve had. I’ve found that my tolerance level for the typical 9-5 jobs has diminished considerably over the years. At first I could tolerate — even <>enjoy<> — them for at least two years. Then it became 1.5 years. Then 1 year. Over the last few years I’ve discovered that the threshold has become six months. Eek! At this rate I’ll be temping for a week and no more. š>>Anyway, I’m really raring to go with NaNoWriMo. I love that there will be hundreds (dare I say thousands?) out there who’ll be doing the same thing. >>Thank you so much for your kind and inspiring comments. I’m so glad to be back on the blogosphere and am looking forward to reading <>your<> blog!!>>Cheers,>Marjorie