Monday, July 02, 2007

On A Personal Note: Changes

We all go through seasons in our lives, times when things are busier, and times when things are uncertain. My current status is both busier and unclear.

Theoretically, the new Spinetingler will be up later today - mid-week at the absolute latest. This all comes down to whether or not there are any more emergencies with the fire department. Being a long weekend, anything's possible.

I'll definitely circulate word when that's up, although I may be a bit slower than usual. Why? Well, I'm going back to work, starting tomorrow. All I'm saying for now is that it's a bit of a change of direction for me. However, since I'll be working part-time, and after the next few weeks mostly from home, it isn't going to have as much of an impact on my schedule as one would think. I've been really fussy about work options, because commuting to the city for a part-time position would eat up full-time hours.

Anyway, where will I be working? The library. But please don't tell any of the super-harassing authors who like to send spam, because I'm not buying their books. Although I will spend some time working in the library my focus will actually be on community-based programs to promote reading and the library.

Now that I've explained the busier, I hope the 'unclear' part makes sense. I'll be evaluating my schedule on a day to day basis, seeing how this is affecting my writing time. Obviously, the first thing to go is forums, but I expect I'll cut back a bit on blogging as well. Nothing personal, but the manuscripts get priority. I'll aim to check in 2-3 times per week. If it's more, great. I'm just letting you know so that nobody wonders what's up.

Meanwhile, you can get an extra dose of me simply by checking out my new story, Bull's Eye over at Pulp Pusher, where they also have a new interview with author Cathi Unsworth.

16 comments:

pattinase (abbott) said...

Hope it works out for you. Hard decisions. I have so enjoyed a summer off, I don't know whether to return or not.

Anonymous said...

It seems a lot of us are re-evaluating/changing where we devote our time and energy.

Best wishes on finding the balance that's right for you.

Randy Johnson said...

Good luck with the new endeavor. We'll miss regular posts, but you do what you gotta do.

Steven said...

So wait... I can spam people with my regular computer at home? How?

Seriously, hope the job turns out as you'd like and doesn't cut too deeply into those things that you love.

Mindy Tarquini said...

ooooo...have fun! The job sounds really interesting! Just back from the Jersey Shore and the wonderful local library system there. Same people working in the same branches that I were there when we first bought the place 10 years ago. And they remember us when we show up, even though it months between our microbursts of patronage.

I got the kids involved in lots of the library programs there. I love the place. People like you make them worthwhile places to hang out.

Daniel Hatadi said...

I've only ever written full time for a couple of months in between jobs, but by the end of it all I was going stir crazy.

It sounds like this could be a lot of fun and it doesn't seem to take up too much time. Best of luck with it, Sandra! Tell us all how it goes.

Christa M. Miller said...

I liked Bull's Eye a lot. It was a good example of how to write dialect without distracting the reader.

Enjoy your new job. If I had to work, that's the kind of thing I'd love to do. Hope it goes well for you! I'll miss you here and at Crimespace, but I hope you update now and again. Take care.

Sandra Ruttan said...

Thanks everyone. I'll still be here. And Crimespace will not be on my 'drop' list. I've quit one listserv and have a second I'll likely unsubscribe to as well, since it's been largely a waste of time for ages. But I'm going to take it one step at a time.

And Christa, glad you liked Bull's Eye. Thanks!

Stuart MacBride said...

Good luck with the job. I would have loved to have made it work when I tried going back to INoGITCH. It's not just the money that's nice, it's getting to deal with real people on a daily basis.

More power to your pointy librarian elbow!

Anonymous said...

Hey...I will miss ya.

Sandra Ruttan said...

Stuart, my situation is a bit different from yours, though. Since I'm in shopping phase, I have no long-term contractual obligations, and can't even say I'll have a book out next year. Meanwhile, I'm working part-time, no commute, and I continue writing. Much different than having a three-book contract with year to year deadlines looming on me.

Of course, I'm also one of those fast writers, who can turn around the average first draft in 6-8 weeks. That doesn't hurt either.

And it is occasionally nice to talk to real people.

JamesO said...

Good luck Sandra, I hope it all works out. Selfishly I hope you still have time to hang around in some of the usual disreputable places;}#

angie said...

Congrats on the new endeavor, sounds like it could be a really good fit for you!

*runs off to read your short*

Anonymous said...

Well done you Sandra. I have two jobs aswell. Keeps the brain ticking over.
Best of luck, hope you like it!

Anonymous said...

like susan said, lots of changes going on. hope the new job isn't a pain in the ass. but really, isn't everything a pain in the ass? so i hope it's less of a pain in the ass than most other ass pains. that's my prayer for you.

Sandra Ruttan said...

James, I'll still find time to hang out with the disreputable types. They're fun. ;)

Thanks Angie & Anonymous...and Anne, thanks for that. It made me smile.