Working a full-time job at my age and maintaing a writing schedule that ensures two books a year is taxing, especially when one is teaching in a challenging area where he has never taught before -- no, I don't mean Harlem. I am referring to the subject matter. I have always taught to support my "habit" -- the habit or addiciton of writing. To feed that bug, the teacher's paycheck has kept me going all these years. Yes, even after a long, checkered career with over forty novels sold, I have to keep my day job. There is no such thing as a steady paycheck in writing anymore than in music, poetry, art, or being a marrionette operator.
So I am teaching drama -- theatre to high schoolers. So I am doing Yearbook with high schoolers. What is the saying? That which doesn't kill you can only make you stronger.
Yeah, sure. Uggg!
So if I sound a bit tired and challenged, I am. I am also determined to write the next novel, to see it through as much as I am determined to be the best drama teacher and yearbook teacher that Riverside High has ever encountered bar none. It's a juggling act for sure, and it is a dirty job, but someone's got to do it, and they were desperate to find someone, and I was desperate for work, so there was a meeting of the desperate. It will either be a huge blunder on everyone's part, or I shall rise to the occasion.
Meanwhile, gotta get some sleep. Happy Writing to All --
Rob Walker
1 comment:
Rob:
If your kids are like the ones in our town ... the biggest drama right now is "High School Musical 2!" These kids know the dialogue and every song by heart and ... of course all the choreography!! Maybe you should let them lead for awhile and let them dissect that piece of work for a week! It would be entertaining if nothing else!
Hang in there. It could be worse ... I'm teaching chess to 2nd graders!
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