Hey
everyone. I know it’s been a hot minute since I last blogged, but I’m back!
First
let me update on all the crazy. Let’s go back two years to January 2018. Sorry
but that’s where the crazy started.
The year
was new and after applying and interviewing for a number of jobs, I received an
offer to be an engineering manager. My first manager role! I was so excited. I
accepted the offer went home and found out I was pregnant. After 10 months
of trying to get pregnant and slightly longer applying for manager jobs, both
happened all at once. I was excited and scared.
But
as the hobbits say:
And
boy has it been.
In
February 2018, I signed with my literary agent. Now things were really rocking
and rolling. My day job was a huge learning curve in addition to being
responsible for 17 employees, I was planning for a new baby and to be a first
time mom, and working edits on a manuscript to put on submission to editors.
I
was generating a plan for my new job, a plan for the new baby, and a plan for
going on sub with my manuscript. Things were busy, but I was in total learning
and prepare mode.
Fast
forward to Summer 2018. I got an email from my agent giving me one more round
of edits then she wanted to run line edits before we went on sub. AWESOME. I’d
be on sub while I had my baby and life would be good. I’d be distracted with
adjusting to momhood and she could sell my book.
It
was PERFECT…
But…
Two
weeks later, I got an email from my agent saying she was taking another job in
publishing and she couldn’t take her clients with her.
To
say that let the wind out of my sails was an understatement. I was two and a
half months from my due date, and I would no longer be on sub while pregnant. I
scrambled to get the edits done and requery my manuscript, but not much panned
out. And as my due date approached, I put all my energy into transitioning my
job to the temp manager taking over for me and completing final preparations for baby.
My
son arrived bright and early (12:29am) on a Thursday in October. And let me say
new parenting is no joke. Sleep doesn’t happen, eating happens at odd hours (or over several hours in between diapers and laundry and holding a little one), and
showers are luxury. Anyone that tells you maternity leave is a vacation is
kidding themselves. I had grand plans to catch up on TV shows, read books, and
write a bit.
Well
not much of any of that happened and before I knew it I was back at work with
an almost 5 month old in daycare. That transition was rough (that will be a
whole other post). I didn’t have five seconds for myself let alone time to
write.
And
writing didn’t happen. Pretty much at all. For about the last about year and half years. My
son is 15 months old now, so you do the math. And boy was the guilt about not
writing real. People told me I had a lot going on and it was okay to take a
break. I still felt awful about it. 1.5 years felt like too long. And yet I still struggled to get words on the page. I tried new words, editing old words, finishing existing projects... NOTHING WORKED. It was infuriating.
Fast
forward to today. It’s 2020, I finally feel like I have some control over my
life again, and I want to make something happen. I’m reading more (or trying
to), watching new shows for inspiration, chasing a toddler, and still managing
a team of employees.
In
the spirit of making things happen, there will be news this year. I’m planning to
have LOTS and LOTS. And in order to keep up with it all, you should subscribe to my newsletter. Go sign up over on the right hand side of my blog bar (or click the link).
Because newsletter subscribers will be the first to know all the secret fun
things happening this year. You don’t want to miss out.
And
I promise this place will have a lot more happening. Because things are
moving and shaking once again.
That's why I don't like agents.
ReplyDeleteWhile it was disappointing, things happen. I get it. Just like most professions people typically move to new roles every 3-5 years or so and agenting is no different (whether that be moving up from assistant agent to agent to senior agent etc. or moving to another role). While I wish there had been a better backup plan, I can't fault my former agent for taking a new opportunity.
DeleteSure...
DeleteAnd I don't know the situation.
But abruptly being dropped...
The whole agenting process is messed up, but that's a different conversation, I suppose.
Blog revivals always make me happy. Glad we'll be hearing more from you, Jamie! Is this with the same employer, or do I need to update your bylines everywhere?
ReplyDeleteSame employer, just got a promotion :)
DeleteCongratulations! Well deserved I'm sure.
DeleteThank you kind sir!
Delete