Time for a new interview in my Begin Again series. This time we meet Lisa who spent years teaching English and Journalism which is a career that she wanted to do since she was a child. But sometimes, even dream careers change and Lisa tells us how she went from teaching to writing.
Can you please introduce yourself, tell us what you do and where you do it?
I’m Lisa. I am a reformed high school English teacher turned freelance writer. I am currently self-employed and work from my home. In addition to writing, I also do occasional proofreading and editing as well as private academic tutoring.
You were a school teacher for 14 years. Is this something that you’ve always wanted to do?
As far back as I can remember, I think my desires and my choices led me to a career in teaching. Even before I was a high school teacher, I was involved in community and volunteer work that involved teaching, and previous jobs often involved teaching in some capacity. When I was a little girl, my favorite game of pretend was “playing school” with my dolls and stuffed animals, younger sister, cousins, parents – anyone I could convince to participate.
You taught High School English and Journalism. What did you find satisfying about this career? What wasn’t so satisfying?
I always find it satisfying when a student – or anyone, really – is moved and affected by the written word. Whether that is a newspaper article, a literary class, or a contemporary piece is irrelevant. Seeing someone make a connection between themselves and what they read (or write, really) is a wonderful thing. It was also very satisfying to see our school publications go from concept to finished product over the course of the year. Seeing the students apply what they learned in class to a real-life project and earn recognition for their work from their teachers and peers was very rewarding. It was a satisfying career overall – until it wasn’t.
I see that you were also a martial arts instructor? When did you have time to learn and teach that?
Assistant instructor, yes. It was sort of an organic development. In my early 20s, I began studying martial arts. Soon after I joined the organization’s staff as a program director. For the next several years I held that position, continued my training, and ended up assisting with instruction as well.
In my blog, I write a lot about trying new things and people who start over. You decided to end your career as a school teacher to work at home as a freelance writer. What was the catalyst that made it happen?
I can’t say it was any one thing, really. It was more a series of events and life changes that led me to realize that there was another life for me to lead and that life no longer happened to be in the high school classroom.
What was your first paid piece and where was it published?
My first paid freelance work was for editing and proofreading, rather than writing. My first paid writing jobs were private contracts for businesses and some ghostwriting.
Can you tell us what you’re working on now and where we can find your work?
Right now I maintain my blog, The Meaning Of Me, where I write in various forms about life and all it encompasses. Sometimes my work is fiction, sometimes non-fiction, but I always aim to keep the focus on living a life with purpose. I am working on a children’s book series for the 3-7 age group and a series of board books for preschool-aged children. I am also working on my first sci-fi novel, a collection of short fiction, and a non-fiction project inspired by real-life experiences for later publication.
I write as Author in Residence for Open Thought Vortex Magazine. I have very recently joined the ranks of the Congress of Rough Writers at Carrot Ranch Communications, although I don’t believe the newest members’ pages have been added just yet. My work also appears in various print and online publications as guest writer and blogger.
What do you love most about your new career? And what do you miss most about your old career?
I love the freedom. I love being the one to call the shots as far as schedule, workload, etc. I love not having to go out in bad weather or deal with a daily commute. Most of all, I love that I am available for my daughter and can work my schedule around hers. She’s growing up way too fast and I don’t want to miss a thing.
What do I miss? Very little, to be honest. I was ready to move on and I am focused forward. Occasionally I do miss the face-to-face interaction with colleagues – that doesn’t exist here in my private office unless you count conversations with my cats. But I am always finding new ways to interact and collaborate via social media, writers groups, online communities, etc.
Looking back to when you made the career transition, is there anything that you wish you’d done differently or anything that you felt wasn’t working out and you dropped or changed along the way?
No, I can’t say that there is anything I would have done differently. I am a firm believer in living without regret and that every moment of life has purpose, even if we don’t see or understand that purpose immediately. Every choice we make in life leads us to the place and the person we are today. To change anything in the past would likely mean a different present. And I’m pretty happy with the present. So even when life isn’t going as smoothly as I might like, it is all part of the journey.
And to go along with that question, what advice do you have for someone looking to make a career change to a freelance writer?
Be prepared. This is not something I jumped into lightly or without forethought and planning. It is not an easy life. The freelance life is uncertain and unpredictable at best. Where and how will you get what you need to do things like pay bills, buy groceries, and put gas in the car until those paid jobs start to come in at a steady pace? And what’s your backup plan for the days when the steady pace is a slow one and the paid gigs are in short supply? I could probably elaborate for pages here, but it all comes down to having a goal and a plan and making sure you take steps toward achieving that every single day.
I think my best advice is perhaps not so specific to making a change to life as a freelance writer, but to anyone looking to make a major life change. Do what you love; life is too short to spend it miserable. Allow yourself to dream. Pursue your passion. And then take the necessary steps to make those dreams your reality.
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Links for Lisa:
The Meaning of Me
Open Thought Vortex Magazine
Carrot Ranch Communications
Thanks for having me here for this interview, Jennifer. It was fun!
Thanks for agreeing to participate. I loved doing the interview because of how much I learned about you!
Jennifer, thank you for doing this interview with Lisa. Lisa, I so appreciated your openness. I did basically the same thing, but I was thrust into it without preparation. I went from being a practicing RN in a busy hospital to being an author. It took me a while to get my feet under me. A look at embossing folders- #5 in ProBlogger Challenge
Shirley, I’m so glad you stopped by. For those of us who want to make our living through our writing, it’s helpful to read what others have done before us.
Shirley, I’m so sorry your change happened that way. That is what happened to my husband (also making his way in a totally new life) and it was just awful. So sudden and so frightening. We’re both getting our land legs! Thanks for reading!
Great piece. Can relate, worked in finance and now in mys doing a masters in criminology and criminal psychology. Change is good I feel.
Change is good. I hope you check out the rest of the people that I’ve profiled under my Begin Again tab. All are women who had big careers before about facing and doing something different. One even worked in finance like yourself.
Yes, I’m with Jennifer. Change is good. I think it helps us learn more about ourselves.
I can definitely relate to this; although I am not writing full time, I did leave my former position as a middle school English teacher last year. Like Lisa, I knew it was time to move on and do something new with my life.
That’s why I’m doing this series because I think all of us will come to a crossroads in our career at some point. It’s nice to see the path that some have taken to give us the courage to follow our own new path.
More people change careers during the course of their adult life than do not. I love Jennifer’s series because it is definitely good to know stories of others who made big changes. Their journeys can help us navigate our own. I like knowing I am by far not the only one doing this. I also like knowing the stories of the challenges others have faced in making these transitions. – very helpful.
It’s exactly why I started this series because it is helpful to see what other people did, their choices and what they might do differently if given a chance.
I love that last bit “Do what you love; life is too short to spend it miserable. ” it is so true – I keep limiting myself by thinking that I’m too old to make more changes, but when you see others follow their dreams and succeeding, it is so inspiring!
It is inspiring. There are so many examples too!
Well, Leanne, I’ll share a bit of advice my Grandfather always told us – age is a state of mind. If you feel old, you’re old. If you feel young, you’re young. Pretty simple, but true. And he was so very young, right up until the moment he left this earth. I say you’re never too old.
My parents were 42 when they had me but I never considered them old. Old is fluid for me, it’s always 10 years older than them. Since my Mother is now 98….
That’s a really interesting way to define it, Jennifer. I like that. I remember thinking how old 50 seemed when I was a kid…but yet my grandparents never seemed old, even when they were 50, 60, and beyond. Now I think of them and my mom and I think old must be people much older than that… Perspective, I suppose.
Exactly. I’ve never really thought of my mother as old, not until this year and I see how she is struggling to stand and walk. When she was in her 80’s she was going out to bars with her friends for C&W line dancing or to play cards (for money!) Mind you, my Mother never listened to C&W music until she was in her 80’s. Got to keep trying new things if you want to stay young.
I loved the fact that Lisa used to play “schools” using her dolls & toys as a young child – my sister & I used to play that game too! ?
I know. I played “school” too but more because I liked being bossy than because I wanted to be a teacher.
Well I can certainly admit to liking the bossy part, too. A distinct benefit to being the teacher over the students, I suppose!
Yes, but even if pretend teaching I was the kind of bossy that students hated. Not fun being the hated teacher.
I love Lisa! So nice to learn more about her!! <3
I know. This is the best part of the interviewing. Learning more about someone I respect.
Another Aww…Thank you, Jennifer. I’m honored, truly.
Aww…I love you too, my friend! Thanks for reading! <3
It’s always interesting to learn how people make transitions in their lives. Glad to know Lisa a bit!
I agree, Carol. I love getting to know the stories behind the people.
I love reading interview on different blogs. It gives you more perspective because it is from different angles. Helps you grow as a writer.
I love the interviews that I’m doing because it helps me to see how other people started over. Why they did it and the steps that they took. It’s inspiring.