Skip to main content

Psalm 118:6

Psalm 118:6 Dear Lord, Thank you so much that you are always with me. Thank you for reminding me that I don’t need to be afraid because you’re there, watching over me. Thank you that you are far greater than anything that could happen to me in this world, and I need only trust in you. Amen 詩篇118:6 親愛なる主よ、 あなたがいつも私と共にいてくださることを心から感謝します。あなたがそこにいて、私を見守っていてくださるので、恐れる必要がないことを思い出させてくださりありがとうございます。あなたはこの世で私に起こりうるどんなことよりもはるかに偉大な方であり、私はただあなたを信じるだけでよいことを感謝します。 アーメン

I quit my job

Captain's Log, Stardate 08.01.2005

I've been praying about this for a month now, after fasting earlier in July and asking everyone and their dog to pray for me.

This decision doesn't come lightly. I discussed it with my husband first, and I had been praying for God to speak to him as well so that we two could be in agreement. My husband said he was open to my quitting for about six months to try writing full-time. Six months will put me at the end of January, which is perfect timing if I want to find another job, since most companies start listing positions at that time.

My friend Marilyn talked with me about it, because she made a similar decision a month earlier. She also pointed out that I wasn't quitting to work full-time with absolutely no encouragement to go on. I already have an agent, and I garnered interest in my writing with editors when I went to conferences and when my agent sent my Chicklit out to publishers.

The time at RWA National kind of cemented things for me. One thing I heard over and over: Publishers are looking for multicultural contemporary fiction. Well, whaddaya know, I write Asian fiction. Another thing I heard there and have been hearing on the loops: Inspirational fiction is skyrocketing. Hmm, sounds like I might fit that.

Also, in my meeting with Melissa, she said she was interested in my Hawaii Chicklit/Suspense, which isn't done yet. I want to finish that ASAP and send it to her while my face is still fresh in her memory.

I fasted this morning and prayed (although it didn't seem like enough). I talked it over with coworkers. Finally, I went to talk to my supervisor with hands shaking.

It turned out so much better than I expected. My supervisor writes children's fiction himself, so he understood my desire to write full-time. He also seemed genuinely sorry to lose me, and suggested I talk to HR about an extended leave of absence instead of resigning. He then actually helped me write my resignation letter before I "officially" emailed it to him, cc'ing his boss and HR. I had formally put in my two weeks' notice, but the letter mentioned that I intended to speak to HR about a leave of absence instead of resigning.

Now I feel both free and scared. What if I can't discipline myself in my writing? What if nothing happens during those six months? What if I get more rejections and my agent dumps me and I can't break through this writer's block--although I'm not entirely certain I have writer's block--and, and, and.

I prayed tonight, and received God's peace. Anxiety is not from Him. I have to trust His Spirit is leading me, and that He'd either tell me I'm headed the wrong way or else give me what I need to endure my bad decision, plus grow me along the way.

Comments

Lynette Sowell said…
Oh, Camy, waytago! I really enjoyed your post about RWA. Sounds like you had lots of confirmation. And fun. Now we can squeal and run up to you in Nashville..."Aren't you that editor...?!"

I have worked from home for the past year now (not writing). The hospital I worked for outsourced me, and I love it. But it WAS quite an adjustment.

You can do it! :) God'll make sure you won't fall.
Congrats Camy!
I know this was a hard decision, but I'm so excited for you. Like Colleen told me, "Dream big." So, you go girl! And start dreaming!
Pammer said…
I am proud of you. I will pray for you.

Try not to worry, just do what you are called to do and God will take care of the rest. He didn't bring you this far to suddenly leave you hanging.

You will be way to busy with your writing to go back to work in six months, Your writing will be your work, I can just feel it.

((((Hugs)))) Love ya.
Anonymous said…
You go girl. I know this is going to be one door shutting and another opening. God's always got the perfect timing. I'll be waiting for the I got a contract e-mail. I know it'll be coming soon. :)

Malia
Kristen Painter said…
As someone who took this plunge themselves, I can say it's been both scary and rewarding. After meeting you at conference (a real treat!), I have faith in you.

Trust God. Every day will be a new challenge but prayer works wonders. I never anticipated where my writing would take me but I put it in His hands and let it go.

Is there any other way?
Anonymous said…
Wow Camy, cool!
Val said…
Congratulations to you for taking that plunge. God is faithful and He will provide for your needs!
LaShaunda said…
Go Camy!

I'm excited for you. I would love to quit, but I don't think I'd get much writing done. I was on bedrest for three months. Ask me how many pages I wrote?

I found I do my best writing at work. LOL!

Take care of you and enjoy your time writing.
Camy Tang said…
THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT, LADIES!!! I can't tell you how much it means to me to have you post so many positive things about this. You all are terrific!

Camy
Unknown said…
Hawaiian romantioc suspense? I'd read that!

Congratuations on taking the plunge, on having so much faith in yourself, your talent, and trusting the path given to you. Take that leav or absence, call it a sabatical, and enjoy every day of it.
Anonymous said…
I, for one, think you made a great decision. It sounds like you have planned for this and are ready, and even your employer has been on board.

What more confirmation need you? :)

Camy, honey, you're gonna sell. I think you are THIS close.

Mir<--who has big discipline problems and needs a good buttkicker round the clock...
Anonymous said…
God is with you. I'm happy for you.
:-)

Ann
Camy Tang said…
Thanks so much! I'm counting the days--Friday will be here before I know it. I'm trying to just trust God to help me out with all my fears and insecurities.

Camy

Popular Posts

Narrow Escape contest for January!

I’m so excited because my January Love Inspired Suspense, Narrow Escape , is now available! Here’s the back cover blurb: KIDNAPPED IN BROAD DAYLIGHT Arissa Tiong and her three-year-old niece are snatched off the street by members of a notorious drug gang. Having lost her police officer brother to a drug bust gone bad, Arissa knows the danger she's in. But she has no idea why they want her. Desperate to protect the little girl, Arissa escapes and runs straight to Nathan Fischer. She knows the handsome, weary former narcotics cop hasn't told her everything about the night that ended her brother's life and Nathan's career. But he's all that stands between her and dangerous thugs who are after something she doesn't even know she has. This is the 4th book in my Sonoma series , but each book is stand-alone. The hero is Nathan Fischer, who had a minor role in the 3rd book, Stalker in the Shadows . To celebrate, I’m giving away 10 copies of Narrow Escape ! Her

Bethany House Publishers Cover Survey Invitation

Captain's Log, Supplemental I just got this from Bethany House Publishers: Hello Reader, We at Bethany House Publishers appreciate our readers opinions about the books we publish. Occasionally, we seek your input about upcoming products. Currently, we are conducting a survey about the cover image for an upcoming novel. For your time, we are offering a giveaway in conjunction with this survey. You will be able to choose from ten recent Bethany House novels, and there will be ten winners. Winners will be notified within two weeks. Click here to take the survey, which should take about 10 minutes to complete. Thank you for your participation, and feel free to forward this email on to your friends or link the survey on your website. The survey will be available through Monday, September 17. Thanks for your time and your opinions. We value your feedback. Sincerely, Jim Hart Internet Marketing Manager Bethany House Publishers

What I’m writing in Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 7: Spinster

Right now, I’m working on Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 7: Spinster . Here’s a snippet—it’s a little long, but I figured you wouldn’t mind, right? *** Lady Faine was nearest to the window and turned to look outside. “I do believe I hear a carriage approaching.” “Another one?” Lena asked. “Or is Mrs. Aldred returning?” “if she is, you know exactly what to say to her to induce her to scurry away, my lady,” Dorothea said with a smirk. “Naughty girl,” Lady Faine admonished half-heartedly. Lena could have wished for better timing of the new visitor. Simply thirty minutes later, and she would have had the information from Lady Faine about possible new neighbors who could be Dinorah Seiles in disguise. From the deep voice they heard from the entrance hall downstairs, the visitor was a man, but they couldn’t discern his words as he spoke to the butler. “Oh dear,” Lady Faine said. “Sir Gilbert is out in his fields at the moment with Wilfrid.” “Perhaps he will return later,”

Tabi socks, part deux

Captain's Log, Stardate 07.25.2008 (If you're on Ravelry, friend me! I'm camytang.) I made tabi socks again! (At the bottom of the pattern is the calculation for the toe split if you're not using the same weight yarn that I did for this pattern (fingering). I also give an example from when I used worsted weight yarn with this pattern.) I used Opal yarn, Petticoat colorway. It’s a finer yarn than my last pair of tabi socks, so I altered the pattern a bit. Okay, so here’s my first foray into giving a knitting pattern. Camy’s top-down Tabi Socks I’m assuming you already know the basics of knitting socks. If you’re a beginner, here are some great tutorials: Socks 101 How to Knit Socks The Sock Knitter’s Companion A video of turning the heel Sock Knitting Tips Yarn: I have used both fingering weight and worsted weight yarn with this pattern. You just change the number of cast on stitches according to your gauge and the circumference of your ankle. Th

Free Clean Romance Ebooks

Sign up for these authors’ newsletters and get free books! Click on the graphic to check out all the free books. You might find a new favorite author! Free Clean Romance Ebooks

Movie Quotes part deux

Captain's Log, Stardate 05.27.2009 I had so much fun with this before that I decided to do it again! You guys are just too good! RULES: 1. Pick 15 of your favorite movies. Or movies that you have seen 2. Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie. 3. Post them here for everyone to GUESS (please don't Google it or do a search on IMDB--what's the fun in that?). 4. When someone guesses correctly, put who guessed it and the movie. 1. I do anything and everything Mr. Stark requires. Including occasionally taking out the trash. Will that be all? Ironman kalea_kane 2. Cassie, his heart will stop at the sight of you, or he doesn't deserve to live. And, yes, I am aware of the contradiction embodied in that sentence. 3. The code is more what you'd call "guidelines" than actual rules. Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl Ruth 4. I don't LIKE food. I LOVE it. If I don't love it, I don't SWALLOW. Ratatouille Danica/Dream and Charity Lane

Blueberry mochi

Captain’s Log, Supplemental Blog book giveaway: To enter, go to the blog links below and post a comment there. Tangerine by Marilynn Griffith Chocolate Beach by Julie Carobini MOCHI!!! I grew up eating mochi. It’s a sweet, sticky treat, made in various ways, that I ate about as often as any other American kid would eat chocolate cake. The easiest is mochi baked in a pan, which I always knew as butter mochi. It’s also called custard mochi. The ladies at my church are FABULOUS cooks and bakers, and the church has “Happy Hour” once a month where women take their turns cooking or baking little treats for people to eat while they hang out after service. (I referenced Happy Hour in my second book in my Sushi Series! LOL) My husband brought home something one of the ladies made for Happy Hour. It’s a new take on butter mochi—blueberry mochi! I searched online until I found this recipe at JustJennDesigns.com , which is altered from the original. However, I think this is the recipe that was

Thrift store junkie

My To Be Read pile is as mountainous as it is mostly because of thrift stores. I haven’t had as much time to do this lately, but I love going into thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army and perusing their book section, looking for Regency romances. I especially look for the mass market paperback novels of the category Regency romances that used to be printed years ago by Harlequin, Zebra, Fawcett, and Signet. They typically have pretty recognizable spines. I can spend a good hour looking for Regencies at a thrift store if they have a good book section. After a while, I had to take with me a list of the books I already have (titles and authors) so that I don’t get duplicates. I have not had as much luck at garage sales. Whenever I did the round of sales in my area, there weren’t many boxes of Regency romances--there were usually other genres instead. :( I also did buy some boxes of books on eBay where the sellers would auction off a huge box of Regencies, but after a w

New book idea a la Captain Caffeine

Captain's Log, Stardate 04.14.2009 So my husband, Captain Caffeine, had lunch with a few friends a few days ago. And they asked about my writing, and if I’d been on Oprah yet. (Yeah, right) They then discussed NYT bestselling books, and why can’t Camy write a NYT bestseller. (Sure, let me just open a vein over a blank page and it’ll come right out.) So Captain Caffeine came home with ideas for my new NYT bestselling novel. First it starts with vampires, because Twilight is so hot. But not just any vampires. This one’s an Amish vampire. And he’s not just an Amish vampire, he’s a cop in disguise, infiltrating the Amish community to protect a witness. (Hmm, that storyline sounds familiar ...) But wait! There’s more! To add more conflict and stick with my brand of Asian fiction, we introduce the Tibetan monk! Who joins the Amish community to get away from the pressures of monkhood. But in reality, he’s protecting the Chinese princess on the run, trying to escape from her father’s Hong

CWO - Stumbling

Captain’s Log, Stardate 08.08.2006 Blog book giveaway: My Thursday book giveaway is THE SIMPLE LIFE by Wanda Brunstetter . My Monday book giveaway is MY SO-CALLED LOVE LIFE by Allie Pleiter . You can still enter both giveaways. Just post a comment on each of those blog posts. On Thursday, I'll draw the winner for THE SIMPLE LIFE and post the title for another book I'm giving away. "Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand." ~ Emily Kimbrough ~ Check out Christian Women Online (click on the button above) to see what other women are blogging about this quote! I have to say that God came through for me in this area. I’m not an extrovert, but He knew I needed sisters in Christ both online and locally in order to continue on this writing career. I didn’t seek these women out, they found me (with the Holy Spirit prodding them). Some of them are listed in my Blogroll to the right. They have held my hand, prayed for me, p