If you have read the blog, or look back in the entries, you can see that the wife and I have had some interesting times and we are struggling to really make a life for ourselves. We could both easily get good paying jobs in careers that could last a long time. But I think we are both looking for another sort of fulfillment. I still have no idea what I want to do. The only thing I know is that I want to keep learning, in some fashion, and I want to experience as much as I can. And perhaps make a little money on the way.
That being said, writing was always something I said I would get to when I had the time. I always figured it would be when I graduated or had a more comfortable lifestyle or was on vacation from work or some thing like that. The truth is it would have never happened.
When we got back from striking out in California, I was lucky enough to quickly score a job with Kellogg’s. Actually, I shouldn’t say striking out because it was an amazing experience that taught us both a lot. Anyway, I got a job but it was only part time and still is. I have the option to apply for this full time job but I am enjoying my newfound time off. Still, I was applying for jobs and toying with this new idea for a book after I read the Hunger Games. It was destined to be another story in a long line of “I will get to that someday”.
I recently had a phone interview for a job I knew that I would like and it would have set me up for my future almost certainly. It was the entrance to a certain path that would have been interesting and enjoyable. When the interview came, I crushed it. In a good way. I know I did well and looking back on it there was really not too much I could have done better. Welp, suffice it to say, I didn’t get it. I was told that they wanted somebody with more direct experience in the field but she was impressed with my answers and with me so she asked if she could send my resume and cover letter (which by the way was a bit campy which made me smile) to another department. I thanked her and asked her to do so. I hung up the phone a little stunned and confused. I thought I would at least make it to the next round! I will admit, I was a little destroyed. I felt those feelings of “I must not be good enough” creep in.
Since we are living with my sister (eh hemm, temporarily) I had to tell her I did not get it. My sister, the oldest one, said something to this effect:
“Well I am a true believer in everything happens for a reason. I am sorry you didn’t get because I knew you really wanted it but I am a true believer in everything happens for a reason.”
That is what she said (not verbatim). Funny thing. I am a true believer in that too. My sister. So wise. But, what could possibly be the reason? Hmm… is there anything else in my life that should take precedence over this? Hmm…
Honestly, the only thing I can think of is writing this story into a novel. The very thing I have been putting off and putting off. And there are various reasons why I have done so but I will get into that in other blogs.
So that’s it. I intend to write a novel, edit it into something amazing, and then try to get it published. If I get millions of dollars for it, awesome! If not, well that’s cool too. In all likelihood I will fail to get it published. But I feel as though I will only really fail if I do not capture this opportunity. After I think the novel is finished I will take another year or so to try to get it published and if there are no takers, I will publish it myself on Amazon for the Kindle for free. And that’s what that’s all about.
I am doing this partly for my wife, someday I will tell you why. Partly for my family (and I mean a lot more people than I bet you THINK I mean) but mostly for me. To prove to myself I can follow through with my dreams.
Cheers!
-Mitch