Sunday, November 1, 2020

Taking a Break from the Writing and Podcast


Besides a love of the written word, one of the central reasons I have continued investing in the writing and podcast efforts over the years was to create a significant wealth of communication-related experience with which to leverage a career switch from tax compliance to state or federal government communications.  When I graduated in 2018 from Marylhurst University with a BA in English Literature and New Media, I thought things would change for the better.  While they have most definitely done so, it wasn't quite in the way I expected.  For one thing, I've learned that communications is not a field easily entered by the older worker; fresh out of school is the way to embark on that career path.  The departments are generally seeking young people for these positions.

I expected when I graduated from college that I'd be a much better writer.  While I may be a stronger writer today, I have also found the desire to write is rarely as strong as it once was.  Perhaps it was the act of writing and re-writing my university thesis that burned me out for a while on the act of writing.  The whole process seemed less artistic or creative than simply a sort of "writing by the numbers" approach to essay structure.  That, combined perhaps with lackluster sales of my books, has led me to where I am today--subtly redirecting my time and energies into more fruitful areas.

Anyway, we all have plenty on our plates these days, and I frankly think my time is better placed in serving God and enjoying my family than investing hours in creating fresh content for the web or books.  I have offered my services to one company, and I remain available as needed to a local Catholic publication too.  I am still interested in being involved in photography and voice work projects, but I suspect they're going to take more of a backseat to simply living than they have in the past.  When I retire in less than a decade, I hope to hit the writing harder than ever; we will see.

I will continue to add to the blog as time allows.

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