This month has been rather quiet on the writing front. A few columns for Education Age, a contribution for a column in the Herald-Sun aimed at Baby Boomers heading back to the workplace, having decided for one reason or another that retirement is not all it was cracked up to be. Getting these blogs up and going has been a rather major effort, but satisfying. My four e-books on career management are completed and ready for sale, and I have created my first newsletters for Career Dimensions using a new template. I have also been learning how to make changes to my sites using HTML, so I feel like I am really becoming comfortable with the web at last. I'm dying to see the footage of the DVDs on leadership - I have only written half a dozen scripts and I am still getting my head around all the 'noise' that goes on outside the actual words - it is a really exciting way of writing.
There are just so many writing opportunities that I can't understand anyone saying writing is not a viable occupation. I guess you have to have some skill - there is so much that is less than adequate and I certainly want to be seen as someone who can provide quality materials and to a deadline. But if there are any people out there - young or old - who want to become writers, then don't let the idea that their are no jobs get to you, it is simply untrue!
I was pleased to see my resume information online in Marie Claire magazine, and there was a heavy response from readers. My next e-book on 'How to Write a Resume' should be available by the end of May through http://www.careerwriter.com.au/ and it contains a lot more detailed information to help people trying to beat the competition to jobs - which will become even more important as more people find themselves in the job market.
One thing I have found out about being a writer over the past few years is that neither the role nor the activity is particularly revered. Maybe it is true what they say, that you have to be dead to be respected. I used to think writers had it made, after all they have a certain power, documenting events, concepts, ideas, and being creative. I enjoy writing so I certainly don't mind the lowly status, but I was a bit shocked to find out that as a writer I am hardly given the red carpet treatment. I'll just have to write a film script for a blockbuster.
