I have been working on a resume. Now for someone who has been self employed or worked due to referrals, a resume, a job-job resume is a really hard thing for me to write! Where to start? Why does it all look so weird? What have I done with my life? Why didn't I go to law school? Waaah. Inevitably, these are some of the thoughts that go through my head. It's amazing how looking for work, always leads me back to judging myself through those ol' "you-should've-done-something-different" goggles.
Enough.
I wrote the resume. I showed it to a couple of very smart business friends. One of them helped me with my confidence, "it doesn't matter that you didn't study this in school, you've been getting paid for it for the last 5 years". Oh right. And another said, "you're selling yourself short, you also do..." and listed a huge list of things that yup, I do, but hadn't stated. He also told me what I really could be earning.
It was one big wake up call. It turns out, I really have done a lot and I really did need a resume to remind me of that fact. Regardless of who sees it or if I need to use, I have one and just the very act of writing it, reminded me that even though I don't clock in at an office, I have indeed worked my butt off and made great strides. And for that, it was worth it. Although I am glad that it is done.
1/15/13
1/12/13
Wearing lots of hats...and running on Jet Fuel.
After a wonderful visit to Toronto to see family and friends, we are back in L.A. Thanks to amazing friends and neighbors who house and dog sat, we returned to a clean home and happy pups. The fact that there were fresh sheets on the bed as well, made me want to weep! After 11 hours door to door, we were ready to collapse. And collapse we did.
Wednesday I hit the ground running, checking in with my literary agent on what is hopefully the final revision, getting back in touch with manuscript clients to see how their changes and query letters are coming along and revising my copywriting resume in an effort to find a steady part-time freelance job. Novel writing takes years, and as everyone knows you don't get paid to write your novels, you get paid when you sell them. So in the meantime a lot of writers wear many different hats in an effort to support themselves while they write. I work in naming and branding, as a copywriter, a manuscript story editor, a proofreader and also an actor. I'm also a mom, a wife, a daughter and sister, and try my best to be a good friend to many near and far. Like a lot of people I know, I wear a lot of different hats and I work hard to wear them all well, and some times are better than others. I find coffee helps, like the amazing beans from Toronto's Jet Fuel, a very thoughtful gift from my cousin and her husband. Now if only I didn't need to sleep.
What about you? How many hats are you wearing these days and do you ever wish you wore just one?
Wednesday I hit the ground running, checking in with my literary agent on what is hopefully the final revision, getting back in touch with manuscript clients to see how their changes and query letters are coming along and revising my copywriting resume in an effort to find a steady part-time freelance job. Novel writing takes years, and as everyone knows you don't get paid to write your novels, you get paid when you sell them. So in the meantime a lot of writers wear many different hats in an effort to support themselves while they write. I work in naming and branding, as a copywriter, a manuscript story editor, a proofreader and also an actor. I'm also a mom, a wife, a daughter and sister, and try my best to be a good friend to many near and far. Like a lot of people I know, I wear a lot of different hats and I work hard to wear them all well, and some times are better than others. I find coffee helps, like the amazing beans from Toronto's Jet Fuel, a very thoughtful gift from my cousin and her husband. Now if only I didn't need to sleep.
What about you? How many hats are you wearing these days and do you ever wish you wore just one?
1/1/13
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!!
A new year, a new look for the blog, a new chapter in my life. My sweet baby boy is over a year now and life as a writer mama is slowly taking shape. I've never worked harder than I did this past year both personally and professionally, and I am looking forward to reaping the rewards of my efforts in 2013. My copywriting business Gina Colada continues to grow and I have had the great fortune of working with wonderful new people on projects big and small. I've worked on everything from frozen food to analytic software, and named everything from wine to make-up, as the associate creative director of Eat My Words.
As a copy and story editor I had the great fortune to work with 4 terrific writers, and the privilege of being trusted with another writer's work is one that I hold dear. Not only do I get to see how others write, but I get to learn along with them what shapes a story and holds the reader's attention. This year I got to meet amazing characters, read powerful essays and immerse myself in complicated and original narratives that both stunned and impressed. I was reminded how lucky I am to be a part of this world where novelists take years to dedicate themselves to telling stories that stay with the reader long after they are done. And I continue to be amazed and grateful at the generosity of my fellow writer friends and colleagues.
As for my own novel, I think it is ready. At long last. 2013 will be the year that my debut novel goes out into the world and finds a great publisher. This next step is an exciting one, and I am ready. I am also nervous and hopeful and anxious to see where the novel finds a home. Stay tuned!
A new year, a new look for the blog, a new chapter in my life. My sweet baby boy is over a year now and life as a writer mama is slowly taking shape. I've never worked harder than I did this past year both personally and professionally, and I am looking forward to reaping the rewards of my efforts in 2013. My copywriting business Gina Colada continues to grow and I have had the great fortune of working with wonderful new people on projects big and small. I've worked on everything from frozen food to analytic software, and named everything from wine to make-up, as the associate creative director of Eat My Words.
As a copy and story editor I had the great fortune to work with 4 terrific writers, and the privilege of being trusted with another writer's work is one that I hold dear. Not only do I get to see how others write, but I get to learn along with them what shapes a story and holds the reader's attention. This year I got to meet amazing characters, read powerful essays and immerse myself in complicated and original narratives that both stunned and impressed. I was reminded how lucky I am to be a part of this world where novelists take years to dedicate themselves to telling stories that stay with the reader long after they are done. And I continue to be amazed and grateful at the generosity of my fellow writer friends and colleagues.
As for my own novel, I think it is ready. At long last. 2013 will be the year that my debut novel goes out into the world and finds a great publisher. This next step is an exciting one, and I am ready. I am also nervous and hopeful and anxious to see where the novel finds a home. Stay tuned!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
