In February I was offered a position at the local high school working with Seniors who are at risk for not graduating on time. It's only a part time job which I thought was perfect because I'd still have time to write during the day.
Well, it's true, I still have had time to write but it's been at a much slower pace. Which is fine. I had decided this year to focus on balancing things in my life better, and well, not staying up until 3 in the morning writing every night seemed like a pretty good place to start.
And it's been GREAT!
I love working with the students. I was kind of surprised that I love it as much as I do. I always figured I'd be more of an early childhood or elementary kind of person but nope, this is the population I was meant to work with.
Which I guess sort of makes sense--I do WRITE Young Adult stories after all. :)
Here's the thing, most of these students haven't had the best support systems in their lives. Not all of them, but I'd be willing to say a majority of them have had it pretty "rough". Two of my students even live on their own. I asked one of them why he moved out of his parents' house and he told me "It just didn't feel like home anymore." That completely breaks my heart. Doesn't that break yours?
Being a teenager sucks enough without feeling like you don't have a safe place to turn to.
In the last few months I feel like I have built a positive rapport with "my students"--I hope so anyway. I'm naturally a sunshiney person--happy and cheerful and though I may come across as silly and naïve, I'm hoping my positivity rubs off on the students. Afterall, most of them could use some brightness in their lives.
It's really important to me that they know they have someone who cares, because I most certainly do and I want them to know that someone does believe in them--that they have someone on their side.
I was recently asked how I'd feel working full time in the fall and I didn't hesitate to say yes. I honestly pictured myself continuing to stay home and writing full time for as long as people were buying my books so the fact that I didn't even have to think about saying yes shows you how much I love doing this work.
Some of you may be wondering what this means for my upcoming releases...
Nightingale will still release in Sept and Chasing Polaris (my next project with Autumn) will follow shortly after that (possibly before depending on how quickly we finish).
I will continue to put out at least one book a year. I'll shoot for two, but I make no promises. ;)
So YES, I'm going to keep writing. I have way too many stories left to tell to quit now.
I do, however, foresee a change in the tone of my novels but I'm hoping it's in a good way.
XOXO
Well, it's true, I still have had time to write but it's been at a much slower pace. Which is fine. I had decided this year to focus on balancing things in my life better, and well, not staying up until 3 in the morning writing every night seemed like a pretty good place to start.
And it's been GREAT!
I love working with the students. I was kind of surprised that I love it as much as I do. I always figured I'd be more of an early childhood or elementary kind of person but nope, this is the population I was meant to work with.
Which I guess sort of makes sense--I do WRITE Young Adult stories after all. :)
Here's the thing, most of these students haven't had the best support systems in their lives. Not all of them, but I'd be willing to say a majority of them have had it pretty "rough". Two of my students even live on their own. I asked one of them why he moved out of his parents' house and he told me "It just didn't feel like home anymore." That completely breaks my heart. Doesn't that break yours?
Being a teenager sucks enough without feeling like you don't have a safe place to turn to.
In the last few months I feel like I have built a positive rapport with "my students"--I hope so anyway. I'm naturally a sunshiney person--happy and cheerful and though I may come across as silly and naïve, I'm hoping my positivity rubs off on the students. Afterall, most of them could use some brightness in their lives.
It's really important to me that they know they have someone who cares, because I most certainly do and I want them to know that someone does believe in them--that they have someone on their side.
I was recently asked how I'd feel working full time in the fall and I didn't hesitate to say yes. I honestly pictured myself continuing to stay home and writing full time for as long as people were buying my books so the fact that I didn't even have to think about saying yes shows you how much I love doing this work.
Some of you may be wondering what this means for my upcoming releases...
Nightingale will still release in Sept and Chasing Polaris (my next project with Autumn) will follow shortly after that (possibly before depending on how quickly we finish).
I will continue to put out at least one book a year. I'll shoot for two, but I make no promises. ;)
So YES, I'm going to keep writing. I have way too many stories left to tell to quit now.
I do, however, foresee a change in the tone of my novels but I'm hoping it's in a good way.
XOXO
I'm happy that you've found another thing you love! I know you'll be making a difference in those kids lives, and in the long run they'll appreciate having someone like you influencing their lives in a good way.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for your next book!
Rebeca x
I am so excited for your new journey. And to be part of it. You're going to be great
ReplyDelete