Rachel
asked
P.C. Cast:
I am an undergraduate student double-majoring in English and Education, and I know that much of my life is going to consist of balancing teaching with writing. When you were teaching, how did you achieve this balance, and do you ever miss teaching now that you write full time?
P.C. Cast
Hi Rachel! I've been where you are...
First, the balance. That's a tough one. Not only was I teaching high school more than full time (night school and summer school along with regular school because Oklahoma doesn't pay public school teacher a living wage), writing for THREE major Houses (Berkley, St. Martin's Press, Harlequin), but I was also a single mom. Had I not been utterly driven to be a successful author I would've given up soooo many times. I think my drive was key - plus the fact that I loved creating worlds and telling stories. It wasn't until my 18th published book that I hit the NY Times list and my life changed. Not long after that I retired (after 15 years of teaching). But before then I simply had to say no to a lot of things: dating, hanging out with friends...I even cut out the gym, which made me get fat and unhealthy, so I added a treaddesk (www.treaddesk.com) to my writing and quit drinking while I was writing (yes, that used to be a thing). I lost friends because they thought I was being ridiculous and selfish. Women tend to judge other women harshly for putting a career over friendships. Be sure you're prepared for than, AND don't ever do that to anyone else. I got rid of a husband who told me I needed to choose between my writing and my marriage - so, bye bye! I also developed the ability to fall into my worlds easily, focus quickly, and write just about anywhere. It's tough, but if you have the drive, the tenacity, and the talent it's doable. Just don't expect immediate success. Envision it, sure! But don't expect it to happen overnight.
Do I miss teaching? ABSOLUTELY! I loved my classroom and my students. I don't miss idiot administrators or enabling parents, but that's part of teaching. Because I miss teaching is the main reason I always interact with fans/readers at all of my signing events. I like to pretend like they're part of my class.
I wish you the very best of luck!
PC
First, the balance. That's a tough one. Not only was I teaching high school more than full time (night school and summer school along with regular school because Oklahoma doesn't pay public school teacher a living wage), writing for THREE major Houses (Berkley, St. Martin's Press, Harlequin), but I was also a single mom. Had I not been utterly driven to be a successful author I would've given up soooo many times. I think my drive was key - plus the fact that I loved creating worlds and telling stories. It wasn't until my 18th published book that I hit the NY Times list and my life changed. Not long after that I retired (after 15 years of teaching). But before then I simply had to say no to a lot of things: dating, hanging out with friends...I even cut out the gym, which made me get fat and unhealthy, so I added a treaddesk (www.treaddesk.com) to my writing and quit drinking while I was writing (yes, that used to be a thing). I lost friends because they thought I was being ridiculous and selfish. Women tend to judge other women harshly for putting a career over friendships. Be sure you're prepared for than, AND don't ever do that to anyone else. I got rid of a husband who told me I needed to choose between my writing and my marriage - so, bye bye! I also developed the ability to fall into my worlds easily, focus quickly, and write just about anywhere. It's tough, but if you have the drive, the tenacity, and the talent it's doable. Just don't expect immediate success. Envision it, sure! But don't expect it to happen overnight.
Do I miss teaching? ABSOLUTELY! I loved my classroom and my students. I don't miss idiot administrators or enabling parents, but that's part of teaching. Because I miss teaching is the main reason I always interact with fans/readers at all of my signing events. I like to pretend like they're part of my class.
I wish you the very best of luck!
PC
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