I'm going to try this again. In the current economic climate, there might, unfortunately, but a lot of us. So, is anyone here trying to simultaneously write a Nano novel and look for a job at the same time? Or are you employed but not gainfully? Are you having to fend off the well-meaning suggestions of others who obviously don't understand the situation?
I've been unemployed for a year. I did have a brief temp job last spring. I might have a temp job and/or occasional part-time job before the end of this year, but to make ends meet I obviously have to get a full time job in my field. Last year, it was okay. I got laid off November 1, and I thought, great, I'll have all day to work on my Nano. Figured it might take me a couple months, maybe 3-4, to get a job. NEVER figured it would take more than a year. That's never happened before in my life. I'm a technical writer and editor, btw.
----------
2005: In Back of the North Wind (urban fantasy) -- WINNER!
2006: Leopard's Paw (mystery) -- WINNER!
2007: The Old Straight Track (urban fantasy) -- WINNER!
2008: The Other Side of the Wall (urban fantasy)
Origami cranes: 42
"Eat or be eaten."
30,032 / 50,000
Okt 5, 2008 - 18 09
I am definately under- though I'm looking at possable testing some solutions to the problem. One of which is doing a full time shift, on top of my current part time work, for the local wal-mart that advertised a position that might work for me.
The other possability is that I may be trying to see if I can freelance some of my creative projects to some form of print. I've got some ideas but at this point I don't know if anybody would take them on a regular basis and I don't know what kind of income to expect and how to live as a freelancer.
It's one thing to do these things as a hobbyist and another to have to make a job of it. I just have to try it I guess but that uncertainty is unnerving.
40,346 / 50,000
Okt 7, 2008 - 17 34
One thing that's difficult, when you've been unemployed for as long as I have, is trying to defeat the despair. I've applied for several hundred jobs over the past year, and none of them has resulted in even an interview. It's hard to get rid of the "what's the use?" feeling.
I also have nightmares, headaches, and insomnia because of the stress. It's like being shoved inexorably toward a cliff, watching it come closer, and not being able to do a damn thing about it. And every time I think, "well, the economy's got to turn around soon," something awful happens, like the Dow crash, or the failure of AIG and Lehmann Brothers. Everyone's scared and wary, and no one's thinking about expanding by hiring new people.
----------2005: In Back of the North Wind (urban fantasy) -- WINNER!
2006: Leopard's Paw (mystery) -- WINNER!
2007: The Old Straight Track (urban fantasy) -- WINNER!
2008: The Other Side of the Wall (urban fantasy)
Origami cranes: 42
"Eat or be eaten."
35,129 / 50,000
Okt 8, 2008 - 07 04
Well.. I was part time at Home Depot, but I recently gave my two weeks notice. It was keeping me from getting a better job essentially. Plus I am a student and have too much to do in order to graduate.
So, essentially I am unemployed but not really. I judge for my college policy debate team, and help coach our rookie team. It's not often, but I go to tournaments where I get paid decently for those days.
November I have to do all my homework, take tests, defend my capstone (which is a nonfiction proposal) as well as two nanos and finding a job.
*sighs*
40,346 / 50,000
Okt 8, 2008 - 21 24
I've had people -- who don't know and don't care, basically -- tell me to get a couple full-time jobs at minimum wage. I don't think I could work 80 hours a week without collapsing, and that schedule would keep me from even looking for anything else. Besides, it would take more than two minimum wage jobs to keep me at my barely middle-class level. It's just not physically possible, but people just don't think.
----------2005: In Back of the North Wind (urban fantasy) -- WINNER!
2006: Leopard's Paw (mystery) -- WINNER!
2007: The Old Straight Track (urban fantasy) -- WINNER!
2008: The Other Side of the Wall (urban fantasy)
Origami cranes: 42
"Eat or be eaten."
25,137 / 50,000
Okt 9, 2008 - 04 15
Gods yes. Technically I'm employed as a model but I need to sort out a passport before I can get any work and that's taking AGES.Stupid unemployment. Last nano I was working part time, but this year I gots nothing.
----------When she was good she was very very good - but when she was bad, she was fabulous.
40,346 / 50,000
Okt 9, 2008 - 16 40
Last year I got laid off from my job on November 1, which was a bummer, but I had money in the bank, unemployment benefits, good references, and a good resume. I figured it wouldn't take more than 2-3 months to get a job, so having November off was like having a vacation to do Nano.
Very different this year. I'm still unemployed. I behind on every single bill. The creditors call 20-30 times a day. (I finally unplugged the phone.) I have no job prospects, and I'm having to deal with insomnia, nightmares, headaches, and stomachaches because of the stress.
A week ago, I applied for 11 jobs. I was elated that I'd found that many, but I didn't get a single call back. I've applied for five so far this week. Again, no responses.
----------2005: In Back of the North Wind (urban fantasy) -- WINNER!
2006: Leopard's Paw (mystery) -- WINNER!
2007: The Old Straight Track (urban fantasy) -- WINNER!
2008: The Other Side of the Wall (urban fantasy)
Origami cranes: 42
"Eat or be eaten."
27,422 / 50,000
Okt 9, 2008 - 20 02
Well, I am unemployed. Been without a job for almost a year now. Been out of school for over 2 years. It sucks.
I guess I'll be honest, I'm on SSI for bipolar and scoliosis. I am diagnosed bipolar but I only have mood swings when I'm ON certain meds so honestly I think I'm closer to being schizophrenic. Its not exactly fun being labeled as crazy by your friends and doctors(not mentioning the government)...but at least I get money each month to pay my bills and rent(and medical to get my precious meds). Otherwise I'd just be come looney homeless person.
Hoping to get things stabilized soon so I can get back to work and school. I miss it.
----------18,118 / 50,000
Okt 10, 2008 - 09 03
Add me to the underemployed group. I just got a job 4 weeks ago and I LOVE it, but I don't get very many hours and I'm constantly logging more time but don't get paid for anything extra that I do. It's worth it, though, but I wish I had more hours than I do. However, I'm trying to look on the bright side and see that, for the first time in my life, I can actually focus on my writing a bit (and not in the college course sense). I'm going back to school next semester for a post-degree certificate (teaching), so it'll be back to being super busy again, and I'm trying to enjoy this while it lasts.
----------40,346 / 50,000
Okt 13, 2008 - 05 04
My situation isn't really anything that can be enjoyed. At first it was nice to have the time off, but now I'm getting desperate and frantic. And I don't understand why I'm not getting any responses to my applications. I've applied for over 300 jobs this past year, and it's like shooting pennies down a dry well.
And I don't have a Plan B.
----------2005: In Back of the North Wind (urban fantasy) -- WINNER!
2006: Leopard's Paw (mystery) -- WINNER!
2007: The Old Straight Track (urban fantasy) -- WINNER!
2008: The Other Side of the Wall (urban fantasy)
Origami cranes: 42
"Eat or be eaten."
9,256 / 50,000
Okt 13, 2008 - 10 33
I am so underemployed it's not even funny. I can barely afford to drive to my office from my home, so some nights I'll just park at the rest stop and crash there. Saves me some money. I can't afford to work where I do, but nobody in my area is hiring. I'm living paycheck to paycheck, and that's just not logical at all. =/
----------Oh, the insanity.
0 / 50,000
Okt 13, 2008 - 12 59
Count me unemployed, unless my Tuesday interview hires me on the spot. My last day here is Wednesday, with severance thru Mid November. I still have severance in bank from last year's layoff when Saks closed their corporate offices here and moved back to NYC. That, with unemployment, will carry me thru March. Cross your fingers for Tuesday.
Been doing some freelance writing and art. The highlight was essay on back page of Victoria magazine - made over a 1000 on that one.
----------Perle
Perle's Ink, freelance words & art
http://perlesink.blogspot.com
http://perles-poems.blogspot.com
http://perlesink.com
40,346 / 50,000
Okt 14, 2008 - 04 15
If you want to give me some pointers in getting freelance work, I'm all ears.
I keep applying for jobs, and NOBODY ever responds! Hello? Hello? This Internet thing works doesn't it? Is this thing on?
And I don't really have anything to sell, not that would get me any real money, anyway. No car, no jewelry, no expensive electronics to get rid of. I always lived frugally and saved my money for a rainy day. That lasted about 6.5 months, and it's still freakin' raining.
----------2005: In Back of the North Wind (urban fantasy) -- WINNER!
2006: Leopard's Paw (mystery) -- WINNER!
2007: The Old Straight Track (urban fantasy) -- WINNER!
2008: The Other Side of the Wall (urban fantasy)
Origami cranes: 42
"Eat or be eaten."
18,118 / 50,000
Okt 14, 2008 - 12 35
Zookeeper, are you following up on your job applications? It's not a good idea to sit by your phone (or computer) and wait to hear from them. You want to call them to make sure they got your cover letter and resume, let them know you're still interested, and see where they are in the hiring process. It makes you appear interested. I know for a fact that that's why I got my current job (they were filling multiple positions, and the HR woman saw my name on a slip of paper because I had called and moved my resume to the top of the heap for consideration).
----------17,641 / 50,000
Okt 14, 2008 - 13 14
I'm underemployed, though I may get extra work through the covering system where I work. I don't think I can really consider two-and-a-bit days at week to be a full-time job. A fidelity clause means that I'm realistically looking at getting work from my current employer rather than getting additional revenue streams. Mind you, I am getting a fairly dramatic pay rise in a few months, so I can't really grumble...
----------Percussus resurgio
33,836 / 50,000
Okt 15, 2008 - 05 07
Just working part time here. I'm actually glad I'm only working a couple days a week with NaNo coming up ;) Better than being employed full-time, and better than being completely unemployed! Plus with NaNo keeping me glued to the keyboard I won't have the chance to spend any money! XD
----------------------------------------
2007: Sick Bacchus (won!)
2008: Nocturne (going... slowly)
70,327 / 50,000
Okt 15, 2008 - 05 24
Been unemployed about, oh, three weeks now. And even then, when I was working I was monumentally underemployed.
Right now, I'm just trying not to freak. The sweetpea is working, so we get to keep the house. But I'm just trying not to freak. SP says it's okay. But....
Okay.
2005 - "Modigal" --YA Fantasy -- Winner
2006 - "Welcome to Lamentation" -- Historical/Spirtual Fiction -- Winner
2007 - "A Saint Nobody's Heard Of." -- Contemporary/Literary Fiction -- Winner
Oh, and by the by, I need buddies.
25,564 / 50,000
Okt 15, 2008 - 16 35
I'm unemployed and kind of homeless - I'm lucky enough to have friends that rule though. And friends that have wifi :D On the bright side - lots of time to write, and I can just call myself a starving artist, heh.
70,327 / 50,000
Okt 16, 2008 - 06 00
We are not radiating happiness are we?
Okay. Economy sucks. But for the next twenty four hours at least, I am going to try to control what I can. And for that length of time, I'm okay. Freaked, but okay.
So, today, I'm going to, make three calls, NOT stare at my checkbook balance, and do at least two chapters worth of outlines.
I'm an outline girl. Anyone else? Or are there more fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants-ers out there?
And I need a buddy or two. And a hug.
40,346 / 50,000
Okt 19, 2008 - 14 51
I had a job interview Thursday. I was very optimistic and excited about it. I thought the interview went well. They seemed to like my writing samples. I'm obviously qualified for the job. They were going to make their decision Friday and either hire someone outright or call a couple candidates in for a second interview. As soon as I got home, I wrote a nice followup letter and got it to them by close of business Thursday.
It's Sunday. I never heard from them. And now I've gone from upbeat to monumentally depressed.
I want a job. I have to stay in my house. I don't want my life to fall to pieces. I keep thinking that it's gotta change, it's gotta get better, but then another bottom drops out.
:-(
----------2005: In Back of the North Wind (urban fantasy) -- WINNER!
2006: Leopard's Paw (mystery) -- WINNER!
2007: The Old Straight Track (urban fantasy) -- WINNER!
2008: The Other Side of the Wall (urban fantasy)
Origami cranes: 42
"Eat or be eaten."
70,327 / 50,000
Okt 20, 2008 - 13 23
ZooKeeper
Anything I say will sound trite right now and not helpful. But hang on, baby. Hang on.
40,346 / 50,000
Nov 17, 2008 - 03 03
Mischiefsmom, your word count rocks!
I still don't have a job. :-( I had someone call me about a job a week ago. They were going to call back about a phone interview, but it never happened. Would have been a good job, too, but I guess that's water under the bridge now.
I'm still applying for jobs, in between wrimoing.
----------2005: In Back of the North Wind (urban fantasy) -- WINNER!
2006: Leopard's Paw (mystery) -- WINNER!
2007: The Old Straight Track (urban fantasy) -- WINNER!
2008: The Other Side of the Wall (urban fantasy)
Origami cranes: 42
"Eat or be eaten."