I’m going to be trying my best to not ‘count all my chickens before they hatch’ like I keep getting told not to do. Still, this week took a wild turn right at the beginning. The original plan was to do editing and relax since next week sees my son with two days off. Fit in a little house cleaning and the usual. So, what happened?
Monday morning started normally for about an hour. I checked my Teaching Assistant certification status and it had been issued the Thursday before. Didn’t notice because I was busy getting everybody in the house off to their various trips and then I spent the weekend alone in a house. Anyway, I updated my file on the teaching job site and went to leave the room in time for a morning appointment . . . Ring Ring! Then, my phone went off and the adventure ensued.
About a minute after I updated my file, a school district office called me to set up a phone interview. This was rather humorous because I was going to call them once my appointment was done. Them calling right after I updated my file was also a coincidence and things kept going. The phone interview turned into a face-to-face interview, which went really well. To the point where I got to interview with the superintendent on Thursday. Now, I wait to hear back in the next few days. I want to say there’s a 95% chance that I’ll be hired, but I’m trying to do that chicken thing. Honestly, I want to be 100% positive that I’m in and I’m doing that secretly . . . At least, I was until I wrote that sentence. There are a few positions and I’m hoping to be chosen for one of the full-time ones.
Besides the amazing job news, it was Halloween. I don’t have a lot of stories here because I had to stay home to hand out candy. My son was Dracula from ‘Hotel Transylvania’ and my wife was Mary Sanderson from ‘Hocus Pocus’. I was ‘Man reading manga on the couch’ for the night. I tried to do editing, but I kept getting pulled away by the doorbell. Not a lot of kids, but enough of a flow to make reading a better option. The most impressive part of this day was that two people in the area were giving out full-sized candies. My son get a theater style pack of Twizzlers and a full-sized box of Mike & Ikes, which he has yet to dig into. I told him special events. That’s really the big highlight of Halloween here.
I’m hoping to finish editing Derailing Bedlam this weekend, which will allow me to start in on War of Nytefall: Rivalry. Hard to tell since I don’t know when I’d be starting the new job. It means my writing time will be limited to nights and weekends as long as I don’t have anything else. Editing will be doable, but a full story is going to take some schedule adjustments. Not to mention there are still a few personal things up in the air that I need to handle. I’m thinking of using Monday to schedule posts for January, but I’ve got no topics in mind. Maybe I’ll take some time to sit down, think of my various series, and pick out topics. War of Nytefall has to have something even though I’ve already gone for vampires, thieves, and anti-heroes. Seems too early to touch on the third book. As usually, feel free to give suggestions and I’ll see what I can do. I’m already doing the Top 5 of 2018 on the first 5 Sundays of 2019, so that’s taken.
Goals of the week?
- Finish editing Derailing Bedlam.
- Set up a few January posts.
- Start editing War of Nytefall: Rivalry.
- House cleaning and yard work.
- Vote!
- Legoland with family.
- Video game day with son.
Geez, I can’t believe I forgot to mention that Raven’s Wrath ended and next week will see the start of Thursday becoming Derailing Bedlam day. I really hope everyone who read Dawn Addison’s final adventure enjoyed it. Also, that everyone who gets into the newest adventure of Cassidy and Lloyd enjoy that. I’ll only be doing one excerpt a week with the new serial, which should make it easier. Have a fun week.
Legends of Windemere 
I’m very happy for you on the news about the interviews. My experience is if you feel it went well the other side feels the same way. Fingers crossed. Have a great week.
LikeLike
Thanks. Looking forward to the job. It’ll take some of the life pressure off and then I only have to figure out how to fit writing in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ll find a way. One step at a time.
LikeLike
At least I have stuff to edit and keep me sane.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
You might as well jump!!! You will get a job and then we will all jump! Love that song, makes me want to, well, jump!!
LikeLike
Thanks. I actually didn’t plan on this song. It just happened to be playing on Pandora when I finished writing the post. 🙂
LikeLike
Hoping all your chickens hatch. You’ll still manage to get writing time, but you’ll have to plan for it. There will be interruptions, but I still manage to get some done. Less volume for sure, but not impossible.
LikeLike
I hope you’re right. History shows that me putting writing time aside doesn’t always work out. Part of it stems from those around me treating it like a hobby, so they’re free to interrupt. It’s pessimistic, but that seems to be how things go these days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome, in large part, to my world. I have one advantage with adult children. I usually get left alone when I need writing time.
LikeLike
I think my lack of private space contributes to me not getting time. If I want to be alone then I’m sitting on the bed with no back support. To counter that issue, I have to set up in the dining room with my headphones. That’s just asking for interruptions around here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Attic, basement? Both inspiring locations. I actually thought about looking for a nice mausoleum to write a ghost story inside.
LikeLike
Don’t have an attic to speak of and the basement is practically storage. There’s no space to actually work down there and it gets really cold in the winter. The comedy of when I do try to write down there is it seems like somebody else always has to work down there too. It’s like me being in a location draws people to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You should become an Evangelist. You could fill tents all over the country. How about a library?
LikeLike
I’ve tried at the library, but you have to get there early to snag a place near an outlet. It gets worse in the winter because you have people going in there for warmth and the free WiFi. One time, I was trying to edit while the person next to me blasted ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ on his laptop. He had headphones. It’s amazing how rude people are in public. Finding a quiet writing space is a lot harder than it used to be around here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand that. I need quiet so I can focus and sometimes even the dogs become a distraction. Maybe you can make a friend at a hotel. People tend to ignore you in the lobby.
LikeLike
I’ve considered that. We have a Marriott nearby, but that place is busy on the weekends. Nights require I be home since the kid can’t put himself to bed. It’s going to be a rough balancing act for a long time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you figure something out.
LikeLike
Me too. I figure it’ll take the rest of the year to create a decent system. With everything else going on alongside the potential job, the writing might have to be on the back burner. I can edit and that’s going to have to tide me over for a bit. My main fear is having days between chapter sections, which can hurt the flow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happens to me all the time. I always start my day by reading back a couple of chapters. Seems to help.
LikeLike
I used to do that, but I usually only have 2-3 hours to write. Reading a chapter or section tends to take 1-1.5 hours because I go into editor mode. So, I can’t do that as often as I used to. I’d have to retrain myself to get it work. The alternative is to take a lot of notes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ll find something that works for you. I’m sure of it. It will probably add stress, but you’ll do it because you love this stuff.
LikeLike
Gotta get this bizarre writer’s block fully defeated too. I can edit and outline, but I’m finding that I really can’t get my mind about writing anything new. It’s strange and unnerving.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You will though. You’ve been avoiding those notebooks, but one day they’ll call to you.
LikeLike
I’m very happy for you. If nothing else, it’s great you feel so positive about things.
Though it’s not ideal, writing can be done around other stuff too, once you settle in to the new routine and get used to it. In the meantime though, I’m glad you’ve made some progress with editing.
Good luck with everything in the coming week.
LikeLike
Thanks. I’m really hoping I can fit writing in around things. As it stands, I probably won’t be able to do much. Tuesday and Thursday nights are taken by the kid. Monday and Wednesday might as well. Weekends are chores and family time. It’s going to take a while for things to click because my writing doesn’t get much respect here. That’s the next hurdle for me. How do I get those around me to give me the time without guilt, interruptions, or complaints? I mean, they think I can get a lot done in 30 minutes, but I can’t even scratch the surface of a scene in that time.
LikeLike
You’ll find a way to make it work. Besides, maybe they’ll be a little more likely to give you some writing time now and then once you’ve got your day job? Either way, like I said, you’ll find a way to make it work. Writers always do.
LikeLike
Fingers crossed, Charles 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fingers crossed for everything, the universe is looking out for you.
LikeLike
Thanks. Hope the universe is kind this time around.
LikeLiked by 1 person
CONGRATULATIONS, CHARLES! The progress, TA certification then interview is awesome. The universe will be kind this time around! Christine
LikeLike
Thanks. Looking forward to hearing about the next step.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! Glad to hear the news. 😀 I know you’ll keep us updated! Woohoo!
LikeLike
Thanks. I’m hoping next weekend will have even better news.
LikeLike
Ah, “Man reading manga,” the classic Halloween attire. Great that you got interest right away, although I’m not completely surprised. My district is always crying out for para-educators, which I assume is similar to your teaching assistant. (Although I wasn’t interviewed by the superintendent, so possibly there’s more to your potential position.)
I’ll keep a finger crossed for you. (The other fingers will be typing on my WIP.)
LikeLike
I’m not sure if TA is the same as para-educators, but they seem similar. I think TA is more of an assistant role while the other is much more trained and specialized. Really can’t tell until I get into a position. I’m very curious about how they teach reading too, so I’m looking forward to finding out more about their system.
LikeLike
Great post! Keep shining!
LikeLike
Thanks. 🙂
LikeLike