Interview Jitters

Two days ago, out of sheer boredom, I decided to search online for any local reporting jobs. While there weren't any in the reporting field, I found two for copy writing and copy editing, so I applied. What would it hurt right? Besides, I don't want to be working for Rite Aid my whole life.

Yesterday, I recieved a phone call while I was at work from the one looking for a copy writer trainee. It's $10 to start and while I know that doesn't seem much especially since I have to travel 20 minutes, I look at the long run. They have great benefits and internal promotions are possible. Besides, any experience is great for resume, which right now has a 2 yr lull as far as the journalism field goes.

Today, I called the woman back and I have an interview next Tuesday at 9:30 in the morning. She mentioned that I have to take a short test which is really simple on a microsoft document. Ok so this is where I start getting nervous.

1) Taking tests always get me nervous because for some reason I always do bad on them.
2) Usually when they say simple, its not simple or
3) It is simple but I overthink and make it more then it seems. Thus doing bad.

I guess when I go in there I just have to stay calm and take out the old motto from college. To help me focus and not freak out in an exam, I would just act like I didn't have a care in the world and just say "If I pass I pass, I fail I fail". It always worked. I usually passed the exam with flying colors. The only problem here is that it isn't an exam I can study for which makes me even more nervous. I have no clue what to expect. I guess I just have to take their word for it. It's simple.

Breakthrough

So far so good. The light switch is still on and my idea bulb is glowing brighter then ever. This morning I actually set pen to paper and wrote a few pages on my novel. The ideas are once again flowing and it feels like I can't write fast enough. I haven't felt that in a long time and it is so refreshing.

It seems like I have had a breakthrough overnight. Not only am I working on my novel but I am writing in my journal again. I forgot how light I feel after I vent on paper about everything that happened that day. Its like I am transferring all my anxiety, anger, and happiness from my brain to paper so then I can go back later and look at it objectively. It's a great method and I recommend everyone doing it. It never fails to make me feel better.

The fact that I have been posting almost regularly this week is another example of how I have changed. When I first started this blog, I was apprehensive how long I could keep it up. In fact I only posted twice and then there was lull until this week. I never knew what to write but now since my brain is finally working, I can't seem to shut up. I guess that is a good thing cause it gives me more to write about.

Besides writing and blogging I have been searching online for jobs in my field again. I even applied to two jobs. One was for a reporting job in Monmouth County and the other was for a copy editor. I haven't heard anything yet but for once it doesn't seem to bother me. My idea to just work at Rite Aid and move up the ladder was just an excuse. It's not what I want. I posted my resume on journalismjobs.com so that jobs can find me instead of just the other way around. I was considering that in the meantime I do some freelancing. I never realized how many online mags and sites need writers. Some of them seem promising though I am always apprehensive to apply. I don't know why. Journalismjobs.com now has a freelance section and since its a legit site, opposed to say..Craigslist, I am seriously considering in applying. I can make some good money and I can write when I feel like and what I feel like it. Besides my writing gets noticed which only helps my resume and experience.

Well thats it for now. Have to get ready for work...

Idea Switch: On

Last night, as I was snuggled in my bed ready to drift off, the light bulb in my head suddenly clicked on. All of a sudden I had a million different story ideas racing through my mind, ideas that a few months back I craved and itched for. They were actually good ideas, that could be formed into a solid story line. Of course, it had to be a night in which I was extremely exhausted and didn't have the energy to get out of bed to write anything down. However, I stored the ideas in the back of my mind and fell asleep content for once.

Finally, I realized that maybe I still had it in me. After months of writer's block, of having written barely a few sentences, I could actually come to my computer and write to my hearts content. What I was really happy about was the fact that besides the random story plots, I finally had a breakthrough idea for the novel that I am currently writing but haven't worked on in awhile. I had been at a dead end, not sure where the story line should go and I finally realized that though my main character was solid, the other characters in the story were not. Although they were just secondary characters, they needed a background, something that would influence the main character in moving forward.

I think part of this breakthrough was influenced by Sparks new novel (see previous post). While I was reading, I couldn't help realize how each of the characters somehow influenced the other, even if they didn't even know each other. It is what keeps the story so interesting and shocks the reader in the end. I knew that for me to have any progress on my current work I needed to have some twists the reader wouldn't expect.


It is so exciting to feel this passion burning through me again. I can't wait to have some available free time so that I can sit at my computer and type out a few chapters. I just hope the switch stays on.

Safe Haven

Nicholas Sparks has once again proven that he is a master in story telling. In his latest novel Safe Haven, Sparks has not only woven a love story but has created a suspense that leavea the reader holding his/her breath.

Beautiful yet mysterious, Katie arrives in Southport, North Carolina with hopes of starting over but determined to keeping her distance with the locals. Yet as hard as she tries, Katie finds herself involved in a relationship with Jo, her blunt single neighbor and Alex, the widowed store owner with three children. As she lets down her guard and begins to fall in love, the past finds her and Katie struggles with the secret that haunts her.

This story grabs your attention from the first page to the very last. Just when Sparks gives you insight to what is going on, he adds another twist that turns everything around. He takes you on a journey that leaves you breathless to the very last page, with the final shocker that is totally unexpected and makes you want to turn back to page one to see if you missed something.

Safe Haven is definitely *****