Back before I was published, I longed for an author to help me know what I was doing wrong. I joined a couple of local writing groups, but none of the other members were published either. As one member put it, we were the blind leading the blind. I did learn some things from the groups since there were members who’d been writing longer than I had. After a few years, I joined a national group and signed up for a mentor in conjunction with attending my first national conference. I thought she was going to help me write. It turned out, she was just a friendly face, so I wouldn’t feel overwhelmed at my first HUGE conference.
Dusty Richards lived in AR until he passed a few years ago, and had several published secular Westerns. I heard him speak at a conference and he challenged everyone to send him a chapter of their manuscript and he’d critique it for free. I learned a lot from him on that long ago chapter. I approached two other authors and was told they didn’t have time. I vowed that if I ever got published, I’d make time to help unpublished writers.
Eventually, I signed up for two paid critiques at a national conference, one by Deb Raney and the other by Margaret Daly. What they taught me was invaluable. I entered contests with published authors as judges who gave feedback and learned more priceless lessons. Along with all of this, it took me 9 1/2 years of writing, reading craft books on writing, submitting to publishers, getting over 200 rejections, and attending writers groups and conferences before I finally got a contract. Working with editors taught me a busload of lessons.
I quickly learned why those authors said they didn’t have time to help me. But in the last several years, I’ve stuck to my vow. I’ve taught for free and done critiques when I have time for my local writing group, taught classes to middle school, high school, and college students, taught classes at conferences in several different states, judged unpublished contests where I’ve given feedback, and done paid critiques at several conferences. When I critique, I try to be very thorough, helpful, and encouraging. My goal is to help writers improve their stories and give them the tools they need to catch the eye of an editor.
Several times, I’ve thought I’d enjoy being an editor. But traditional publishers pretty much expect you to have a college degree. Even when you’ve learned from four different editors through sixteen published books. Once kindergarten was over, I hated school. From the time I learned that one day I’d graduate and wouldn’t have to go anymore, that was my goal. Once I finished high school, if someone had offered to pay me to attend college, I wouldn’t have.
But despite my lack of degree, God opened an opportunity. I can’t reveal all the details because it’s not public knowledge yet, but a friend familiar with my writing, critiques, and the classes I’ve taught at conferences on self-revision recently asked me to go into a partnership with her to acquire a small Christian publishing company. I will be the acquisitions/content editor. That means, when books are submitted for publication, it will be my job to read them and decide if they’ll get published or not. If the writer gets a contract, then I’ll handle the content edit which consists all the elements that keep readers reading. My partner will handled the business side of things, copy editing which is mostly grammar and punctuation, and cover design. I hate business and grammar and don’t know how to do covers and I’m handling the things she’s unfamiliar with. We’re the perfect team.
Once I complete my first drafts of my books, I have a system I use to make revisions before I turn it in to my editor.
But even after my revisions, my editor catches things I don’t. Partly because I’m too close to the characters and the story. It’s much easier to catch other writers mistakes than my own. I’ll use my system on books we publish, and even though I still hate school, I’m taking an online editing course. When it’s done, I’ll be a certified editor. I’m certain I’ll learn new tricks of the trade.
I’m pretty excited about all of it. But nervous too. I still want to write, so I don’t want to get so busy with editing that I don’t have time. My new boss plans to work around my writing schedule and hire more editors if I get too busy, but it may be a while before she can afford it.
I’ll have to dole out rejections and I know what that feels like. I plan to give any writers I reject advice on what to work on, so at least they’ll know what they’re doing wrong. And what they’re doing right.
One of the perks is I get to write a book on writing. I’ve never done that, so I’m really looking forward to it. The book will be based on one of the classes I teach at writer’s meetings and conferences on self-revision. As for my fiction books, if I have a story that doesn’t fit typical publishing houses or is too edgy with real life turmoil, I’ll have the opportunity to publish it if I want.
I prayed about this decision and talked to my family about it. I felt like God gave me a green light and my family did as well. By the time you read this post, I’ll be on a road trip home with my new boss after meeting with the current owner of the company and one of their editors to sign the contract. I’m praying for a safe trip and I plan to pray over that meeting. I’ll pray over each manuscript that crosses my desk. And for each eager writer I come across as I make their dreams come true. Or dash their hopes while doing my best to encourage them to continue writing and learning.
I’m giving away a copy of my latest release, Hill Country Redemption. Answer this question to get in the drawing: Have you ever had a career change or expand into a new opportunity? How did it work out for you? Deadline for the drawing is May 14th. Since I’ll be returning home the day this post goes live, I’ll try to keep up with comments on my phone, but it may be evening before I can answer them all.
Award winning author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter writes contemporary Christian cowboy romance and has over a dozen published titles. A romance reader since her teens, she hopes to entertain Christian women and plant seeds in the non-believer’s heart as she demonstrates that love doesn’t conquer all—Jesus does. She gleans fodder for her fiction in rural Arkansas where she spent her teenage summers working the concession stand with her rodeo announcing dad and married a Texan who morphed into a pastor. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her husband and son, flea marketing, and doing craft projects.
No career change for me. However throughout my life I have had various opportunities and I commit to the ones I have a feeling for. Others attribute it to luck, I think like you I knew what I wanted and trusted that it would come. I just had to pay attention for when it did. What a gift you will be for the writers and what a wonderful way to be of service, you go for it!
Yes I did and it worked out fine.
Yes, more than once . All worked out well for me.
You don’t need to include me in the give a way.
I just wanted to comment.
Congratulations for following Gods go-ahead. I am glad that you have your family behind you. Prayers for sensitivity and strength and wisdom.
When I got married, I became a homemaker when I got pregnant. have been a homemaker the last 36 years with the exception of when my husband lost his job. And for six years I was a server full time. At this time my husband took care of the house and the food, while I worked. Such a role change. Now my husband works from home and I have been retired for the last 5 years.
I had a huge career change when I lost my job and then Mom realized it was because I needed to stay home with her. I had gotten 2 other jobs in my field, but neither was a fit, and I didn’t like either. It was after that that Mom and I prayed differently, and felt God was saying that I did need to be with her. I’ve been home with her for 8 years. During that time, I’ve gotten my insurance agent license, and this year started my own proofreading business, which has started off well.
Congratulations on an exciting new opportunity. I had many changes in my early twenties and a life-altering chance to move to this little ranch 16 years ago. Three years ago I got another opportunity: my husband said he was behind me studying and spending time and money to write. I had prayed about it for ages. A big change for me, and it meant I needed to alter my days and budget to make room. Now I’m on a grand adventure- one I’ve waited a long time to start.
I hope you’ll see your new job as a grand adventure still, years down the road. 😊
Yes, when I finished 30 years in the education field (SLP) my daughter was a rising Sophomore in high school. To avoid having to transfer her to our neighborhood school system, I took a part time job as an elementary school Music teacher at the school I retired from. So very enjoyable, challenging and freeing all at once.
I’ve had a few major changes, but the biggest was choosing to give becoming a full-time author a solid try after the flooring company I’d worked for sold out. It took a couple of years with online side hustles to achieve that, but I’m so thankful it did.
I was in Banking for nearly years and now I am working in a department for tobacco studies in a university
Congratulations on your new adventure!
My big career change when I began writing. Before that I had taught piano lessons for most of my adult life.
I am learning a lot and enjoying it. It is giving me a deeper understanding of addiction and how it affects everyone.
Congratulations! That sounds like something I would love to do! I got a college degree, but it was in Humanities, which is a little of everything because I never could figure out what to major in. But it included all the credits necessary for an English minor, so I joke that I didn’t really major in anything but I double-minored. ;) I love grammar and am a freelance editor, too. I’m sure you’ll do great!
Not yet though now that I am graduate soon (since I’m home schooled,) I’ll have something of a career change, I suppose.
I haven’t had a career change, but I’ve been stretched into doing things I’m not super confident in and I’ve found that I enjoy learning more. Plus, it helps you figure out what you don’t like to do in future jobs.
That’s exciting for you, congratulations! I have not had a career change. I did become disabled changing quite a bit. Then at 475 lbs I had weight loss surgery and went down 300 lbs in a year. Even with my disabilities I was able to start doing several volunteer jobs when I could where I felt better than I ever had. But after breaking my hip, spending almost 6 months in a nursing home followed by 10 surgeries in 4 1/2 years I am still down at home most of the time. So even though it isn’t careers my abilities & even hobbies have changed again! It obviously hasn’t been enjoyable but God has given me so many blessings and taught me things I sure couldn’t have learned any other way! I pray this isn’t the way I will live the rest of my life (I’m almost 58) but I am certain that God has the perfect plan for me and will walk with me through every step even if it is! I still hope to get at least a couple of my hobbies back & find a way to make money from home! I don’t think that’s wrong to pray for, at least I hope not!
I worked for 8 years at the corporate office of a bank balancing direct deposits. I really liked it and then they decided to move about 30 minutes from my home into a very high traffic area. I searched and searched for a new job. Finally, one day at church, a lady who worked in human resources at the hospital offered me a job doing medical transcription with no experience whatsoever. I loved it. I did that for 25 years until I had to go on permanent disability.
Congratulations on the job and thank you for the opportunity!
Thank you, Dianne. I just got home and the papers are all signed. We had a good time with Christian people. We ate, visited, and did some training for the changing of the guard. We’re excited.
I’m glad Kim. I hope you’re getting to do something you enjoy.
I’m glad. It’s kind of scary and exciting.
I’m glad you got to stay home with your child/children Lori. I’ve been a stay at home mom and I wouldn’t trade those years for anything. Thankfully, I’ve been able to pursue my passion of writing during our son’s school year. He’s graduated now, though we’re still waiting on an official ceremony, and working full time. So my time is freed up. I’m looking forward to this new adventure. When he does move out, maybe I won’t have time to worry about my empty nest.
That’s so awesome that you’re getting to be with your mom and the new business sounds interesting. I’ve thought about going in to that, but editing is more up my alley, so here we go.
That’s so awesome about the writing Dalyn. Once my news is out, maybe you can submit to us. I was a hairdresser, a loan clerk at a bank, and finally worked in the corporate offices of a large fragrance company before I realized in my thirties that I wanted to write.
I’ve always thought working in the school system would be the perfect fit for a mom, Linda. And music would be so fun. But I don’t know anything about it.
I commend you for making yourself available to help new authors in your early career. May your new publishing career be an exciting venture.
I trained and became a secretary (Administrative Assistant) which led me into becoming a secretary for our church which was very rewarding and a blessing as I considered it a ministry to those within our church body and to people outside of our church.
Congrats Valerie! The year before I got pregnant, my husband answered the call to preach. During my maternity leave, he was called to a church to be a bi-vocational pastor at a small church. His church income was about half of what I made. We sold a car to get rid of a payment so I could be a stay at home mom. By that time, I was pursuing publication. I finally got my first contract when my son was 7. Now my husband is full time at a different church and our son is 18, graduated, and working full time.
I’m so glad, Sonnetta. I worked in a bank for about two years. That was the most stressful job I’ve ever had.
I always wanted to play piano, Kimberly. I took lessons when I was 12. I thought in a few weeks, I’d be able to play Beethoven. So I was very disappointed and when it got to the point where I had to play with both hands, it was hard, so I quit. Now of course, I wish I hadn’t. And as a pastor’s wife, you don’t know how many times I’ve been asked if I can play
That’s cool, Lila about freelancing. I’ve often said that kids shouldn’t be expected to know what they want to do at 17 or 18. I didn’t know until I was 33.
I hope you get to have a ceremony, Abigail. Our son attended a small public school. They ended up letting out the week before spring break and then decided if student were in good standing, they would get their diploma. So he’s officially graduated and they’re hoping to have a ceremony later this summer.
So true. I don’t like learning things I’m not comfortable with, Megan. But it does stretch you and help you know what you’re good at and enjoy.
You’re positive attitude is an inspiration Deb and I totally don’t think that’s a wrong way to pray.
Hey Linda, I worked as a loan clerk in a bank. I liked it, but it was stressful. I’ve thought about the medical transcription thing before I got published. It seemed like it would be interesting.
Yes, Pat. That’s the plan, we want to help new authors get published and help them mold their careers. Church secretaries should be saints. I know it’s rewarding, but I bet it can be a headache too.
I was a homemaker for 35 years raising 5 children Thank you for the amazing book giveaway and Congratulations!
May God bless you as you follow His leading in your career. I never had a career as I was a full time homemaker with part time jobs to help out. Blessings
That’s wonderful, Sarah. Stay at home mom’ rock. Working ones do too. But I love it when women are fortunate enough to get to be onsite moms.
I think part time jobs that help out are so imporatnt Lucy. Thank you. I’m really looking forward to this.
God bless you in this new journey!
I’ve never had a career change….I’ve always loved numbers and I love what I do :)
I do a lot of gig work related to publishing and enjoy it a lot.
That’s wonderful Natalya. It makes life so much more pleasant when you enjoy what you do.
That sounds fun Denise. Good for you.
If you enjoy the people you work with and the tone of the work environment is encouraging and you are where you believe God has led you, you have received a blessing beyond words. If you think of your work as being like building a house, the people and their attitudes are like the wiring and the work itself is like the plumbing. Learning the work can be messy and awkward sometimes and require some cleanup but you’ll be okay. Getting the wiring wrong can kill you. LOL. Enjoy your new gift from God!
Not so much a career change but an interesting list of places I have worked as a clerical worker . 1. N.Y Department of Commerce. 2. NY Division of Parole in NY 3. Department of the Army in Bethesda, Maryland 4. U. S. House of Representatives worked for a Congressman in NYC 5. Moved up to Church Administrator for 9 years.
That’s a really good way to look at it Lincoln. I plan to enjoy the ride.
Wow Lourdes. Lots of interesting jobs.
Firstly your new venture sounds like its just what you were looking for. Don’t enter me as I won your book as part of the international bundle.
I know what I have wanted to do and done have been different. I left school when if you didn’t have a job within 3 months it was almost impossible. I was a close second so many times that while it may sound strange but coming last would be easier to handle (especially when an employer rings to apologise for not giving me the job and then receiving the unsuccessful letter).
I ended up babysitting for different families. Then fell into cleaning. I was just helping a friend while she had a holiday/vacation for a week or 2. Then she resigned just before she left and I was offered the job. It was 2 hours a night 5 days a week. This led to more cleaning (home and business).
I fell into helping a few people set up blogs as a website and set up a newsletter. Its something I really enjoy and something I can do at home away from noise when my head pain is bad. (I can control it more at home).
I have not had a career change however I did take a new teaching job and had to move away. I was teaching the same grade level but I felt like I was a brand new teacher starting all over again. I had even taught for 7 years. Eventually I got my feet back under me and I was so glad I had moved.
I’ve been a close second too, Ausjenny. That’s the worst, I totally know what you mean. The job I was up for was four 10 hour days a week, the same schedule my husband had at the time. It seemed so perfect, so the close 2nd was hard. But looking back, I’d have had to get up at 5 am and I’m not a morning person. So I figure God had my back. It wasn’t long until my husband’s schedule changed and I probably would have hated my schedule if I’d gotten the job. I hate cleaning. If I wasn’t so frugal, I’d pay someone to clean my house. But I have a hard time paying someone to do what I can do myself. Wish I wasn’t like that. The website and newsletter sounds fun. I wish I knew how to do that kind of thing. But my business partner does, so that’s good.
I bet, Lori. Moving away from everybody and everything you know is hard. I can see how that would feel like you were back to the beginning, but I’m glad it worked out for you.