Wednesday, October 29, 2008

new job

Dear K,
Hello again. Lot’s of excuses for not writing sooner. One of them, though, I get to blame on Neal, who suggested a few novels to read. I got Beauty, by Sherri S. Tepper, and I’m loving it. So thanks to Neal for that. It’s a retelling of Sleeping Beauty and the story completely pulls me in (as well as the writing), and I find I’m making more time to read again. It’s amazing the time you can find to read when a book won’t let you go.

Also, I’m writing again. A couple essays, the next novel, book reviews. Can’t say what triggered it, but I’m glad it’s back again. And I’ve started another job. (I’m one, obviously, who pieces together my life. Sometimes I wonder if a nine to five job would be easier–I’d be in one place all day, get a steady paycheck, etc, but I just can’t see myself doing that.) Anyway, I’m going to work part time at Loganberry Books. I went there a few weeks ago and "I’d love to work here," slipped out of my mouth, and I realized I meant it. Harriet, who owns the place, actually took me at my word, called me up, interviewed me (that was not easy–she had a test I had to take, and I freeze on tests), then called and said she’d like to give me try. I imagine I’ll shelve books, sell books, take care of books, all in this lovely bookstore, somewhere around 15 hours a week. Stop in if you can. I’ll be there Wednesday, Friday and Saturday afternoons.

So now I’m teaching at JCU, Hiram (coming up), Antioch’s low residency program, have a few private students, am working at a bookstore, and writing. It’s not as much as it sounds–I still have the best life, writing this now in my PJ’s, loving all I do–and then there’s Ron, loving me and helping in all ways. And I write more the less time I have. Don’t know why. You ever find you do that? Write more when free time actually gets tighter? I wonder what that’s all about.
Anyway, off to read a bit of Beauty. I’m with Neal–I highly recommend it.

Peace,
Sarah

4 comments:

Diane Vogel Ferri said...

Sarah, that sounds like a lovely life to me. I would love to spend my days at Loganberry!I'm still at Roxboro daily struggling with the energy it sucks from me (and from writing). Love the kids, but everything else sucks. Good luck to you in all your endeavors.

sarah willis said...

Hi Diane,

Good to hear from you. I can't even imagine the energy it takes to teach young kids. And now that I teach part-time, the internal politics is an eye opener. It's got to be tough at Roxboro. Hope you can find some time to write. Thanks again for checking in here!

Peace,
Sarah

Amy said...

Sarah, your "pieced-together" life is lovely...all good, all good.

Alanna Klapp said...

Hi Sarah, that does sound like a lovely life. It struck me what you said about writing more when you have less time. I have a 9-5 type of job which requires me to put in some extra hours once or twice a year, which I always hate because it's less time I have to write in the evenings and weekends, yet I usually find that I write more when I have less free time.
Interesting!