06.22.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 10:23 pm by Administrator
The second book is hard.
The first one was written ten minutes here, two hours there, for as long as my heart desired. I did it as a hobby - something to divide my time into student time and my time. Because, contrary to students’ beliefs, a new teacher really does spend every waking minute thinking and acting for their students. One instructor told my class that we should break up with our partners now, because if we didn’t, the job would do it for us. Needless to say, not everything your teachers say is true.
I spent years on the first book. I loved writing it. If it didn’t sell, it didn’t matter. Part of the joy was in the dreaming.
With one book down, I struggled for a year to find something new to write. A year without writing is a long one indeed. And maybe that’s the reason I quit my job, because when I found it all I wanted was to get it down.
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06.15.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 9:37 pm by Administrator
Back at university, The Lewis Gambit was when any of my (unfortunate) friends would allow me to play pool with them teamed against another (always better) team. Every once in awhile the Lewis Gambit would pay off, but generally this meant that the other side were drunker than we were.
I’ve taken a far more serious gambit recently, one which will take years to play out. I quit my job without another one to go to. A decent job at a decent school. Actually, said like that, it genuinely does sound completely loony.
But, in the end, a month following my resignation, I did find another job. The school seems brilliant. I’m really looking forward to starting there in a couple of months.
I’ve done this for one reason. To write.
In my new job, I will be working four days each week rather than five. For one glorious day, every week, I will be able to focus on my writing.
It will cost me 20% of my salary. That’s the gambit. Back at university, no matter how much I tried I never improved at pool. Will I have more success here?
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