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!
Wow. Sorry to hear about your Construction gig. I’ve lost jobs before (due to downsizing, mergers, etc). The worst thing for me were the dreams. I was vulnerable to dreams of inadequacy, slurs, and downright antagonism.
I’d really love to see your writing career hit another gear and take off. Perhaps Frank Peretti can give you some genre tips on how to survive as a culture warrior going out into a hostile marketplace.
Hang in there, Mike. I’m praying for you.
Whoa. That’s a lot of air to be up in….work and writing and household.
I will definitely be praying for you.
Wow, on the surface that’s rotten, but then again, I think you have to be right about God opening doors here. I personally, at least, am inclined to be complacent and stick with a familiar situation until God pushes me out of it.
Why on earth would they go from digital to POD? That seems like a step backwards to me. I’m MUCH more inclined to spend a few bucks on a digital edition than I would ever be to order something POD. In fact, I recently opted for a digital edition of a book I would rather have had in print, simply because the only print options were POD and would take a couple of weeks to arrive. POD seems to me to be a technological area whose time never really arrived.
I’m curious about the urban fantasy novel. That’s my main genre to write, and I love Rachelle’s blog, but she’s not accepting submissions in that genre. So is she repping it for you and just making an exception because you’re already a client? Or do certain types of urban fantasy fall into her supernatural category? (I’m not asking this so I can break the rules and send her my query, btw, I’m just honestly curious about how that works.)
Stephanie, I agree about the POD v. eBook stuff. In reality, there’s other groups who’ve been doing POD a while and are probably ahead of the curve anyway. Regarding Rachelle — and I’m not speaking for her — I think she is doing a great job flexing in relation to the changing market. I don’t know that urban fantasy is a genre she will be soliciting in the future. Perhaps. But where I’m at in my career, and the type of stories currently on my docket, we felt that was the best fit for me.
Aw, I’m sorry to hear that about your day job.
I’m a freelancer as my day job—tried the 9-to-5 thing, lost 3 of them in as many years due to downsizing—and freelancing’s fantastic. It reminds me daily of God’s grace and provision.
Look up Carol Tice, Sean Platt, and Anne Wayman. Read “The Freelancer’s Survival Guide” by Kristine Kathryn Rusch (on her blog to read free, if you want). See if you can find The Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman at your local library; I’m reading that now and wondering why I didn’t check it out years ago. (Oh, that’s right; I made silly assumptions about my ability to write copy that persisted until about two weeks ago when a client’s comment made me realize I was already writing it and doing a good job. *smacks self*)
I’ve made some foolish mistakes in my freelancing career, with my attitudes, goals, rates, etc. Some things I only realized were problems in these past few months. I’m starting to fix things, but it’ll take some time. My website, for example, is going to be getting a major overhaul.
Look into those resources, and they should help you start off right. Also, feel free to e-mail me. ^_^
Thanks, Misti! At the moment, I don’t know the first thing about full-time freelancing. Thanks for the resources and look for my email.
🙂 Glad to be of help! I’ll be watching for your e-mail.
Been thinking about writing copy for some years. Never thought I could, even though I wrote my own ad copy for my own business years ago. (That business tanked years ago too, but not because of my lousy ad copy.) Glad to “meet” someone who got into it freelance and has been doing OK. I’ll check out those sources too!
I’ve been on the losing end of a job. It wasn’t a job I liked, but it helped pay the bills. I also spent a year writing content – it doesn’t pay enough to pay many bills, but it paid some.
I’m glad you’re working on your writing.
Yeah, content’s the worst-paid form of writing. You can still get $20+ per hour from it, though, if you find good clients.
Wow, Mike. I’m a bit concerned for you. Hope things work out. I am also a Charisma author with my first book coming out in October and it is a thriller. Makes me nervous about my future. I still have a day job and I plan on keeping it.
I read an interesting post this week by Roz Morris at Nail Your Novel (http://nailyournovel.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/you-have-an-agent-why-self-publish-the-hybrid-writer/) espousing a philosophy of an agented writer with a traditional publisher also looking at self publishing. Check it out. Very interesting. I’ll guess we’ll see what the future holds for Charisma Media’s thrillers!
Bruce, from what I understand, this doesn’t affect Charisma House’s currently contracted authors. And thanks for the link. Taking a look at it now.
Mike,
Sorry to hear it, and as I’m not shocked by Charisma House’s balking, considering the latest three-to-four year turmoil that the publishing industry is in the midst of. It is sad that they are missing your boat.
For them.
For you, I’m prayerful and hopeful. I have the benefit of getting to sit in the arena, look at your work, recognize your gifts and hard work, and get really excited to know that you are entering a period of productivity and growing control over your career and catalog.
Great wild books are on their way. They just won’t have Realms imprint on them.
They’ll have yours.
Thanks, Dan! I appreciate your encouragement.
It makes you wonder just how many more sweet romances the market can take … Lots, apparently. anyway, I like the idea of the doors closing so that God can open a window. Writing full time would be SWEET, no? It will be very interesting to hear the follow up to this in a few months time. My experience has been that these kinds of events (losing a job etc) tend to work out in amazing and unexpected ways. I’ll even be so bold as to pray for you in that respect. 🙂
Have a good one.
Why not go to the general market?
I’m recently out of a job as well. Would love to write full time, but it will take a few years before I’m at the place where that can realistically happen. I’ve thought about freelancing, but I’m thinking that wouldn’t grow enough before bills came due. But I may check into those articles mentioned.
But I feel for you, man. I hope you can make the writing gig work for you. That would be sweet, for sure. God has a plan. If only He’d tell us about them, sometimes. lol.
If Dean Koontz can be Deanna Dwyer, why can’t you be Michaela Mystique and whip out a few romance novels? Many men have done it.
Sorry about the job loss and the Realms deal but glad to hear you’re going forward with the writing. Mostly glad that you believe God knows what he’s doing and he’s taking care of you.
I’m really sorry, Mike! Women’s fiction, really?
The novella sounds really good. I’ll be watching for that to pop up.
I’m constantly amazed and perplexed by state of publishing and writers’ reactions to it. I am inspired by how many writers are simply rolling with the punches, so to speak. Many doors keep closing and writers are not shying away form the opportunities that were once balked at. I’m rooting for you. God’s timing and all that…
First off, thanks for sharing. Sorry to hear about your job. I am getting furlough days and my hubby has had much less work (he is self employed). It is definitely a good time to practice what we preach and put our trust in God.
I am very much looking forward to reading your new stuff. I know you are appalled by the though of writing women’s ffiction, but as you mentioned, it may be a source of income. Are you worried of being too mercenary with your work?
Edyth, I’m not THAT appalled by women’s fiction. Or THAT principled to be mercenary. To a point. Truthfully, I think I could write women’s fiction if I put my mind to it. (Stop laughing, guys!)
Ok, you’re making me pull out Jack Nicholson as Melvin Udall in As Good As It Gets* (opinions stated here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the poster):
Receptionist: I can’t resist! You usually move through here so quickly and I just have so many questions I want to ask you. You have no idea what your work means to me.
Melvin Udall: What does it mean to you?
Receptionist: [stands up] When somebody out there knows what it’s like… [place one hand on her forehead and the other over her heart]
Receptionist: … to be in here.
Melvin Udall: Oh God, this is a nightmare. [Turns around and presses the elevator button multiple times]
Receptionist: Oh come on! Just a couple of questions. How hard is that? [Scampers up to Melvin]
Receptionist: How do you write women so well?
Melvin Udall: I think of a man, and then take away Reason and Accountability.
Yes, I think you can write women’s fiction, too. I’m working on women’s fiction right now, alongside scifi. Sometimes you have to honestly look at the market and ask yourself what’s selling. Women’s fiction ain’t bad. Anne Tyler’s my inspiration. Hers is literary, and I don’t expect to ever reach those heights, but when done well, it can be superb. Good enough for men to read, even. 🙂
We need to chat. I’m sorry I missed your call the other day. =(
Urban fantasy sounds like a great fit for some of the WIPs you’ve told me about!
And, um, you may not want to hear this, but what about YA?
We need to talk. I’m praying for you, bro. Hoping our group can get together soon.
I hear ya, Mike. Seems many of us have a load of personal turmoil right now. Good that you have lots of ideas cooking!
Peace for the way ahead.
I’m sending you an electronic handshake. It’s my firm belief that God will take care of you. This past year has been rough on my family, too, but God has provided for us in mysterious and unexpected ways. I know he’ll do the same for you, and as a fellow writer, I can only hope your writing career will be a part of his divine plan.
Mike, I’m so sorry to hear about your job. My husband is a high school teacher in northern California, so I know how tough things can be as our school districts deal with budgets on severe diets. The state of our state is a sad one, as can be said for many other states I’m sure. I’m glad you’re not in too tough a spot at present and trust that the Lord will open doors for you at just the right time.
I’m glad you’ll be able to spend more time on your writing. I’m sad to hear that your genre is one of those suffering, though, but I don’t think women’s fiction is the answer for you. Historical romance? Maybe. Then again, maybe not. =) I hope some of your possible writing gigs work out.
I understand a publisher doing what it thinks it needs to do for its business, and publishing – and Christian publishing – is a business. At the same time, a writer has to write what’s true and right for him or her. Trying to write in a genre that doesn’t fit you won’t work — you and the reader will realize it.
A lot of writers — and a lot of established writers — are going the POD and e-book route. I’m reading one right now that’s e-book only and have two more on my Kindle. The entire publishing industry is going through major upheaval — and I don’t think the dust is going to settle for a long time, if ever.
The quality of a book like Resurrection is too good to sacrifice for writing something you’d likely hate.
Mike, I’m so sorry to hear about that. My husband lost his job a couple months ago, bringing about a new kind of normal for our family. We are now church planting, an exciting and terrifying journey of faith lol.
Keep the joy of the Lord and may laughter fill your mouth as you continue trusting Him in Faith knowing that He has already provided your every need and will always give you the desires of your heart as you continue to delight in Him that knew you before you were in your mother’s womb and knew that this time would come so that your testimony is proven in the manifestation of the trials that you overcome and are more than an overcomer because of your Faith in Jesus. Stay strong and keep moving forward, Mike. Your best days are ahead of you.
Thanks, David!
Mike, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your job. Coins always have two sides. The flip side of yours may be something totally unexpected…but great! Praying for great things to happen for you! Sending a cyber hug!
Grace on you, my friend. Been in your shoes many times. But the Lord has always been faithful, even when I couldn’t be. He will lift you up, and, by what I can tell, already has.
Keep on keepin’ on!
Mike, I’m very sorry to hear of the loss of your job. Very nerve-wracking, I’m sure. My instinct is to say wait and see what God will do with this new-found time you’ve been given, but then that’s very easy for me to say.
Best wishes to you in all endeavors.
Well. You’ve already chosen the road less traveled. It’s wonderful the way God leads us and provides surprises along a path that simply requires more trust. This is certainly a more narrow stretch, so I’m interested to hear what happens on your journey. Treasure will be unearthed!
wow. that’s a lot. you know God’s already ahead of this, and in it, and surrounding you. He’s given you a gift and an insight along with the intelligence and wisdom to write the way you do. He will continue to guide you and move you into the places He desires. but you already know this 🙂
there’s been so much in my life, so much taken away from me – and what’s not been taken has been threatened to be taken. and what i’ve experienced is that sometimes it seems God is distant, silent, forgotten, but He’s not. my faith has been challenged and shattered in ways i never thought could happen to me, but He’s always been there. i used to be so self-sufficient. but since i’ve lost so much, i’ve had to rely on God so much more. and you know what? He’s been God.
there’s a book i read, cannot remember the name – i have it in a box unpacked somewhere and will find it for you if you want. the writer is a missionary/former missionary, and i specifically remember one story she told while living in another country. a woman had lost everything and had to live with other people as they would take her in. the missionary asked this woman if she was angry or jealous of americans because they have so much (even the missionaries had so much compared to the nationals). and the woman answered her, “American women have so much they don’t need God.” that has been emblazened on my soul.
anyway, you know these things.
***
i just finished The Resurrection – very well done! it was not at all what i expected, so i was slow getting into it. but i loved it. intelligent. well thought out. thoroughly researched (or research from experience). though the artwork is really good, i don’t think the cover matches the book – just my personal opinion. tangibly facing that kind of evil is terrifying. i love that you made the characters ‘normal people.’ i’ve been face-to-face with tangible evil, and i don’t care to ever have to do that again. i think that for most christians living in their christian worlds, evil is more subtle and becomes less distinguishable from truth. and when they are faced with evil, they don’t recognize it, or they ignore it, or they redefine it, or they down-play it. you did a great job developing the characters and their relationships and keeping them real.