Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Fragmented

It's another cold, rainy day--my favorite kind. I'm done with physical therapy and have the whole day stretching out in front of me. I put a roast and vegetables in the slow cooker and am looking forward to smelling that all day. My wrist is a bit painful, but I got some more electrode-therapy (I don't know what it's actually called) today, which relieved the more insistent pain zingers.

In my personal life, I've come to a crossroads concerning my future education. I've been planning to start a 3-year master's in teaching with initial certification program, but my husband and I got into a "deep talk" the other night. He encouraged me to look into the post-baccalaureate certification program instead, which would give me the certification I need to teach, but would keep me at a bachelor's level pay grade--hopefully making it a bit easier to land a job with no experience.

So, I did some research, but unfortunately since the post-bacc certification isn't actually a degree program, there is no financial aid available to cover it. Which means I'd have to pay $7-9,000 dollars out of pocket. Which I can't do.

So, back to square one: the M.A.T. program. I like to think that the economy will be looking up in 3 years, when I'm finished and ready to get a job, but who knows? Either way, it seems this is my best option...

Anyways.

I had a long hard look at myself yesterday, while I was enjoying a day off from writing. I decided that it's futile for me to force myself into writing on the same manuscript every day, even when I'm pulling my hair out. A creative outlet kind of loses its point if it's causing more stress than it's relieving, right? So, I decided to give myself a break and to let myself explore some of my other work that's been on hold for a while. I've always been a good multi-tasker, so hopefully stretching my brain in more than one direction will benefit all of my writing. 

Starting today, I'm going to blow the cobwebs off a (you guessed it) YOUNG ADULT idea I came up with while I was in my senior year of college. It's funny to think how many (in my opinion) unique ideas I cooked up during the most stressful year of my life. Good under pressure, I guess. 

Anyways, the working title for this one is Reckoner, so...cross your fingers for me and hope that this will actually be productive, and not just another way for my mind to scatter further...and further...and further...


PS: Who's excited to see The Wolfman? Me! It's going to be our V-Day date movie! Woohoo!

9 comments:

Unknown said...

It's raining out my window too -- no surprise since like you, I live in GA! Best of luck figuring out the education questions you have before you. The right decision will be made; it always works out that way. Happy writing!

Sarah Ahiers said...

Wolfman looks straight up awesome.
And good on you for trying something else. I spent a good 3-4 years just stuck on one WIP, stalled out until i wasn't doing any writing at all. Once I gave myself permission to do something new, well all the fire came right back

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Good luck with your school decisions and with Reckoner. It will work out beautifully, I'm sure. :-)

Tiffany Neal said...

Good luck with the new writing! I am right there with you on the multi-tasking deal. Friends are constantly wondering how in the world I can read so many books at the same time all the while writing, taking care of my children and working full time!!
If it wasn't chaotic, I don't know what I'd do with myself! :)
I found your blog through blog-stalking. Another thing you can add to my list of things I do on a daily basis! LOL! Stop by mine when you get a chance. I'm a newbie at this whole blogging deal.

Unknown said...

I'm thankful that there hasn't been any rain today... driving in rain after work isn't something I enjoy... however when I am at home writing I love it!!!

Yikes about the wrist, in time it will heal of course...

Good Luck on The Reckoner!!

Dread Pirate Lainey said...

I want to see Wolfman too!

As for multi-tasking I am a firm believer in it especially with creative projects. I have also gotten refreshed on an old project by working on something else! I've also found surprisingly my best work tends to come when I am most stressed. Perhaps it is some sort of coping mechanism?

Good luck with it, and let me know if you need someone to bounce things off of!

Guinevere said...

Good luck with school and employment! I know how tough these decisions are. My husband's been wrestling with unemployment and the grand What To Do Next question.

May Reckoner bring you much joy and less stress! I have eight writing projects I'm dying to pursue right now, so I'm thinking (hoping? believing?) that multitasking can be a good thing for a writer.

Kimberly Franklin said...

I love the rain. There's just something about a cloudy, gloomy day that makes me smile. I'm so weird, I know.

Good luck on your writing and on whatever choice you make about school. That is such a hard decision.

And I'm so excited to see Wolfman!!! : )

Patti said...

Definitely sounds like your at a cross roads. Hope your wrist feels better. I broke mine last summer and it still hurts sometimes.