Welcome back for Q&A Sunday! I have a very interesting question from Vicki today!

If you weren’t an author, what would you do for a career????

This question is interesting to me because it really made me examine myself. Growing up, I always loved to read, but being a writer was never a thought. When I was in high school I decided I wanted to be a chemical engineer. My dream was to work for a pharmaceutical company and help cure horrible things like cancer.

A day late and a dollar short was never more true for me than my junior year of college. The job I wanted for an internship (at a pharmaceutical company) never called. I interviewed for another job and was offered it on the spot. I loved the woman I’d be working for and decided to accept the job. The next day, the job I hoped for called to offer me a spot. Since I’d already accepted another one, I had no choice. I had to turn down my dream internship.

I stayed at that job for almost thirteen years. After a few years, I started to dislike it and looked for something else. I wanted to be a wedding planner, an advocate for working moms, a book reviewer, and even considered working in a day care.

None of them were right for me. Being a writer is.

But if I had to choose something else, I’d have to do something with books. I’d love to open a book store. I’ve considered working in a book store or a library. Teaching is something that’s always interested me, but targeted subjects like writing, entrepreneurship, or business.

My problem now is I don’t think I could go back to working for someone else. I love making my own hours, being available for field trips and sick days with my kids. I like not answering to anyone.

Is that bad?

I’d have to work for myself. I’d create courses to teach. I’d find a job working from home. Worst case scenario, I’d work in a book store. But it would be impossible to walk away from writing!

Thanks so much, Vicki, for your question! If you have a question, send me an email (mary (at) maryethompson (dot) com) with Q&A in the subject, or post it in the comments below, and I’ll answer your question right here on the blog!

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