I am filing this under Sojourn, which means this post is about my life, my family, my job, my career, my mental health, and the twists and turns that come with all those things. So you can stop reading now if my sojourn doesn’t interest you. And trust me, I won’t blame you.
Last month, I was laid off from our local School District after 10 years of employment. I’m in the Construction wing of our District and apparently teachers are WAY more important than us guys. (Of course, the results of my labor are far more quantifiable and consistently better than that of the Cali Ed system. But that’s another story.) With the economy, particularly the CA economy looking the way it does, the chances of this being long-term are pretty good. Permanent is also a possibility.
This is not life-threatening for my family. At least, not yet. Lisa’s job is pretty secure and we’ve never been ones to financially overreach. So our debt is manageable at the moment. Of course, I had to cancel Netflix and my weekly pedicure, but such are the sacrifices one must make.
Anyway, it’s led to a lot of career cogitation.
I have a novel in the chutes for May 2012, which I am very excited about. Edits should begin shortly, as the final ones are due by December. As my publisher expressed interest in retaining my services, my wonderful agent Rachelle Gardner, pitched three potential projects. Their response left me… underwhelmed.
Mind you, Charisma House has been great to me. Really. It’s the Christian market that’s turning for the worse. Apparently, if I want to write women’s fiction or historical romance, there’s a place for me.
You heard me right. I was asked to write women’s fiction.
My publisher looks to be backing away from thrillers. At least, they are suggesting an approach that would involve a tiered process that moves from digital, to POD, to traditional publishing, provided the sales are satisfactory per tier. I can’t say I blame them. But it’s left me a little deflated.
When I get in a funk, I don’t stay there long. And that’s held true for this funk. You see, I love writing and feel like I’m kinda hitting my stride. And now I have more time to do it. What’s ensued are two new projects. First, I am currently finishing up a novella (approximately 25K words) which I will be offering as an eBook. It’s Slipstream, different than anything I’ve ever done. It’s titled Winterland and is about a woman who is summoned into her dying mother’s coma to deliver her from three generational spirits. I’m calling it a cross between The Wizard of Oz and Dante’s Inferno. Look for that October-ish.
Secondly, I will begin work on an Urban Fantasy novel which we will plan on shopping in the general market. And that’s all I can say about this at the moment.
The lay of the land is such that I must consider writing full time. Perhaps God has closed some doors to open others. Then again, I would definitely be thrilled if my day job was reinstated. At the moment, I am considering some paying gigs — magazine freelancing, web content, commentary, essay, feature writer — anything that might be a reasonable open door. And pay a few bills. (In fact, if you frequent this site and know of some outlets that might be a fit for me, drop me an email. I’d appreciate it.) I’ve even pondered whether or not monetizing this website wouldn’t be the smart thing to do.
Lotsa questions, huh?
In the midst of all this, a 15 year-old foreign exchange student arrived from Shanghai last night. His name is Ruo Cong Sun. (He is still considering what his “American” name will be, but we have ruled out “Rocky.”) He will be staying with us for the school year, and perhaps longer if he likes the set-up. Along with some wonderful gifts, he’s brought a fresh, interesting twist into an already “twisty” situation.
So that’s it. If you’ve read this far, I owe you a hug. Or a handshake. Either way, whatever YOUR situation, keep your head up. Have a great weekend!
Mike Duran & Women’s Fiction…I’m pretty sure there’s something in Revelation about that being a sign of the end times.
Seriously, sending prayers and good thoughts your way during this uncertain time. Selfishly, I’d love to see you crack into the Non-Fiction market…you have a unique, observant “voice” when it comes to dissecting the world we live in, and its implications. I would enjoy reading Philip Yancey-like discourses from your perspective.
May God lead you exactly where He wants you to be…
Alan, I have thought A LOT about doing a non-fiction book. However, a burning subject evades me. I have several ideas drafted, but nothing that feels… compelling. Yet. Thanks for your encouragement and prayers!
Mike, I’ve been in a similar situation before. I sincerely hope everything works out for you. If you can believe what you read on the internet, many authors are doing quite well with kindle and nook sales. Perhaps that’s an avenue you could explore.
Mike,
You will have my prayers and with the changes that have happened in my family’s lives recently I can guarantee that all things will work together for the good to those who love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose. That does not mean you will not feel like pulling your hair out at times though.
I am in the process of praying over a career change right now but mine would be voluntary…at least if you consider following what appears to be God’s leading voluntary. Life changes, God moves us, and lives are affected for His Glory.
God Bless and Keep the Faith
Mike, I’m sorry to hear about the job turbulence, but I do think you’re a capable pilot. I pray that your writing gigs will be able to become permanent somehow, even without having to resort to women’s fiction.
“You heard me right. I was asked to write women’s fiction.” Heh heh. You have to admit that’s a little funny.
Definitely sorry to hear about your job. It’s a common tune many of us are singing. My husband lost his teaching job a year ago and prospects are bleak, and on top of it, he’s got the union working against him. My job’s shakey right now. It’s enough to give one a permanant headache.
It’s exciting though that you get this time! Write write write! I think self publishing smaller works is a good idea. I’m about to go that route. Sad to hear that they are already backing off on the thrillers, but last I checked (despite the current chaos) this is still America and it’s still possible to make your own way if you work hard at it. That’s what I keep telling myself. It helps me stay sane. 🙂
Embrace the entrepreneurial spirit!
been thinking today of the idea of you writing to an audience of women. there are not a shortage of men who argue that romance fiction – christian or not, or any fiction aimed at women, portrays men unrealistically. i would add they portray both men and women unrealistically, and it wounds all of us. the men i know who are not happy with this unrealistic portrayal of men state that women begin to expect men to be as they read them to be and become discontent when they are not. i have no doubt that’s true.
fiction that appeals to women, and also portrays men and women as they are, would be challenging to write. generally, women who only read romantic fiction love to live in their own fantasy worlds and become bitter with anyone who forces them into reality.
i would like to think there’s a whole market of women who would find it refreshing to read realistic fiction aimed at them … who would find it refreshing to know that it’s not simply themself who is not perfect, all women are imperfect, and it’s not simply their man who isn’t perfect, all men are imperfect, etc.
my 13 year old daughter reads continuously – very common for her to read a book a day when not in school. she read a book a couple months back and said it made her feel like she’s not the only one who’s had to go thru the stuff she’s had to go thru, and it made her feel good.
women are so influenced by other women, and i think that includes fictional female characters. a female character who doesn’t berrate men, who doesn’t always expect men to be gq gods rolling in the dough and more intelligent, yet with humor, than every other man ever created, would be refreshing.
i don’t know that you’d ever want to write fiction geared toward women, but if you did, it would be refreshing.
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also, my friend has a son who loves to read, but the reading selection for boys growing up is slim. she would love to have had more for him to choose from growing up than he’s had. just a thought.