The beginning of this school year has been nuttier than normal. Because of some staffing issues and my qualifications I'm tackling a different job this year. This was a pretty much last minute switch after I'd spent a lot of the summer prepping for the job I'm not doing now. I've had a CRAZY couple of weeks getting organized and setting up in my new position.
And I only have myself to blame.
I said Yes.
Why? Because change is good. It's easy to get stuck doing things one way, the same way we've always done them. I like change. I like challenges.
I'm (usually!) like this with my writing too. I like to try new things, look at things from a different perspective. I've just gone through a rewrite that had me ripping my hair out at times and giggling like a 6 year old with a cookie stash at others.
Thanks to a suggestion by a CP, I changed the profession of the male MC and this demanded a huge amount of changes. I ended up rewriting almost all of the story. Some scenes were eliminated, others were drastically changed and most of the remaining scenes needed to be told from the opposite pov.
The story is stronger now - and back in the hands of my CPs. Soon I'll find out how effective they think my changes are!
I'm over at From the Write Angle today talking a little more about changes and how they've affected my journey so far. Hope to see you there!
How about you - do you like change too?
42 comments:
All the best with your new position!! Sounds like your facing the challenges with wonderful optimism and joie de vivre!
Take care
x
That's great you like change. I wish I did. I tend to like everything the same and sometimes have to push myself to change.
That's a huge change. Bet it made a big difference.
We've got a boatload of changes over at my school too. Some of which are good, and some of which are nonsensical.
I wonder what the profession change was for your character?!
Old Kitty - thanks! I do try :)
Natalie - I've always had a bit of a bouncy brain and I do like to switch things up :)
Alex - I'm still catching up with all the changes!!
Dianne - I switched him from a rancher to a cop and it really helped in increasing that tension!!
I must like change, as I've changed genres completely. It means a steep learning curse, but I'm loving it!
Good luck in your new position! I think it's brave of you to tackle new challenges--you will certainly grow more than sticking with what you've done before.
I did a big rip-apart rewrite in the middle of my current book that I'm just loving. It's a night and day difference. What would we do without insightful CPs?
Good for you for embracing change! You're so right...it's the best way to grow, isn't it? Good luck to you!
I quite like change, although I like some sort of notice so I can get myself prepared, both mentally and otherwise. Of course, things don't always work that way and you just have to go with it.
Normally, I love change and think it's healthy and good. That being said, I've had an extra large helping of change lately and would be happy to have a little stasis!
I think change, in some form or another, is an inevitability... nothing really stays exactly the same, does it?
Yet most humans resist change, opting instead for the familiarity of their comfort zones, instead of embracing change and learning from it.
Writer In Transit
All the best with all your changes.
Beth - it sure does - but it's a whole lot of fun!! :)
Laurel - hard to even imagine!!! My CPs are beyond amazing :)
Elizabeth - thank you!! It's been a lot of chaos with a bit of fun squeezed in so far :)
Heather - yes! In my job I hate not being prepped. I spent enormous hours in the last few days doing as much as I could!
Johanna - totally understand that! Constant change = exhaustion!
Michelle - I think you're so right - and we might as well enjoy what we're facing!
Nas - thanks! It's a lot of work right now, but I'm enjoying it :)
I like change too, Jemi. Within reason that is!
All the best with your new position. I'm sure you'll do well :)
Hey Jemi!
How's it goin', eh?
Wishing you much calmness in your new role at school. Hopefully, all will start to run smoothly.
Change can be a positive challenge, indeed.
Oh no! Acronym alert! "CP"? "Canadian Pacific"? "MC"? "Master of Ceremonies"? Good grief, I kinda' know what you meant. However, not everybody knows the acronym jargon :)
Ongoing, fulfilling writing, your way,
Gary
Wendy - thanks! I hope I do - although at the moment a few technical gremlins are conspiring against me! :)
Gary - thank you! Oops! I sometimes forget the acronyms!! CP in this case stands for Critique Partner (we swap stories & help each other make them stronger) and MC means Main Character. I'll try to do better, eh!!!! :)
Change is scary, but usually good. Good luck with the new school year and the story!!
Yvonne - thanks! I'm hoping it all works out well :)
Hey Jemi,
I did know what those acronyms meant. I guess we have to realise that not everybody who reads blogs by writers are aware of the writer lingo, eh :)
Enjoy you "WIP" if "YA" know what I mean! LOL
Gary, eh...
Gary - I'll blame a long and tricksy day at school! My brain is most definitely not functioning at optimum levels today! :P
Gary - I'll blame a long and tricksy day at school! My brain is most definitely not functioning at optimum levels today! :P
The start of my school year has been crazy too- due to lots of changes at my school. It does make things interesting that is for sure. I hope your new position is one that you enjoy and that things get easier. :)
Awesome about the revisions. Sounds like a lot of work- but time well spent. Yeah!
Stephanie
My teaching assignment was changed and I'm still adjusting. I'll check out the link.
Medeia - thanks! The adjustment is tough for sure. Good luck with yours!
Stephanie - I think I will enjoy it once I swim up from under the paperwork fiasco!!
oh wow, I hope the new position is great. And I hope your wip turns out better than expected too. xx
changes are always good even though they make us scared sometimes.
It is difficult when you work at school and they suddenly change your books or programmes, but at least you will have another addition in your CV :)
Michelle - I hope so too! Still not sure on either front, but I'm working toward that! :)
Dezzy - I agree! And I do like new challenges - just not too many at once!! :)
Hi, Jemi,
Like you, I believe mixing things up a little can put new life into a story. It's rewarding after I get past being lazy. :)
Joy - too funny! I'm about to dig in for major changes again so I'm hoping it will bring some more life to things.
I LOVE CHANGE!!
I hope yours are most successful. It's a good thing to shake things up a bit... get the old dust and cobwebs out of our lives!
That goes right in hand with "scare yourself", which you know I'm a big proponent of! Good for you for taking risks.
Michael - I'm not surprised in the least that change invigorates you!!
Lisa - yes it does! And yes you are! Thanks - so far so good! :)
Good luck with those changes, both in your job and your writing!
I'm kinda yes and no when it comes to change. A change of scenery, yes! A change of job, not so much (not a fan of those job interviews, hehehe).
Thanks Lynda. Job interviews are terrifying! Thankfully for my last few switches, they have approached me and I haven't had to go through them in a long time! :)
Good luck with everything. CPs are so important. I'll be sending of my MS to them soon.
Stephen - thanks and good luck to you too! It's a little scary :)
I love the six-year-old with the cookie stash analogy. It's gold! :)
And I agree that change is fantastic. It's thrilling and exciting... And sometimes exhausting! Enjoy the new job.
I love the six-year-old with the cookie stash analogy. It's gold! :)
And I agree that change is fantastic. It's thrilling and exciting... And sometimes exhausting! Enjoy the new job.
Thanks Jean! I'm starting to maybe think I'll survive the change and that's always a good thing! :)
I hope you like the new position Jemi. And I agree, change is good... change keeps things fresh and new.
Agnes - exactly! Static is dull - I prefer that bit of chaos mixed in with my day! Just maybe not too much at once :P
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