Let’s all have an identity crisis together!

The last day of school is still 16 days away for me. My students have already “checked out of the hotel.” They don’t care anymore. If they do their homework, great. If not, they really don’t care. Grades? They’re almost done, so what does it matter if they drop a letter grade? As a teacher, it makes me want to screech like a banshee and scream–YOU’RE NOT DONE YET!!! But in reality, what can I do? They’ve already made that decision.

As for me, those sixteen days (and if your kids are already out of school: ) have become a sort of count-down. Every year when I reach the summertime, I switch writing modes. I go from 2-3 pages a day to 12-15 pages a day, if possible. I love it. I become a writing machine, gleefully flying through a new book. Then I take a month to edit, and I enjoy the thrill of submission.

Only this month, I’ve started having my little identity crisis. My 120-page Victorian romp novel where the heroine threatens to poison the hero if he comes near her? Can’t do that if I’m going to focus on medievals. And as for my medievals, I have two distinct writing voices. One is fluffy and fun. The other is dark and moody. Depending on the plotline, I switch voices. This is not a good thing. Both are aspects of my personality, but I need to stick to one.

It’s a bit like choosing a career for the second time. I never chose teaching–teaching chose me. I got a random part-time job out of nowhere, to direct a children’s choir. After that, I was hooked. I do believe I’m in the right daytime occupation, and I love the antics of middle schoolers. [Quick side-story: One of my students couldn't understand why he missed a true/false question. The question? True or False--Kennedy was assassinated while in office. The kid marked False. "But he was shot in the streets of Dallas, not in his office!!" Sorry. Couldn't resist sharing that one.]

Anyhoo…right now, I’m at a major turning point of my career. Whatever I decide, I’m going to write three or four books in that subgenre. The advantage is that I’ll learn my craft within the subgenre very well. The disadvantage? I lose my love of variety. I suppose that’s discipline for you.