Watch out! Margaret is mixing it up again!

Started a new day job this week. I won’t get into the boring details, but I didn’t like the direction my career was taking with my old company, so after twelve years, I had to make the leap. I was explaining to a few of my non-writer friends that I don’t think I would have had the guts to do it if I hadn’t embarked on a writing career as well.

I won’t go so far as to say it has made me fearless, because…ha! But, I will say it has toughened me up enough that the fear won’t stop me.

As writers, we learn to take the punches of rejection, stand our ground with editors and publishers, and dust ourselves off time and time again. When one path to publication peters out, we explore others. That’s what I had to do here.

If there’s one important lesson I’ve learned to apply to both careers, it’s to know my own worth. I’m a hard worker—not only steadfast and reliable, but innovative and proactive as well. I’m also pretty determined. I refuse to stand still and simply wait for what I want to come to me. Life is too short.

So not only am I starting a new job this week, but I’m setting some fresh goals for my writing. I will finish my current WIP and continue to submit the one I’ve just finished polishing. While revising the new works, I’ll also be spiffing up Spring Chickens to be self-published. When I get all that done, I’ll be attacking the first in what I hope will be a series of full-length contemporaries.

So yeah…that should keep me busy enough. What new challenges are you facing this month? Have you had to change courses in your career? Any advice or lessons learned you care to share?