Focus changes over time. Interests either evolve or quietly dissolve. The people who hold our attention today either grow more captivating or fade into the backdrop of our ever expanding lives. But, I think with each hour of each day, we somehow fine tune what matters and hone in on our true talents and abilities. Just think, 4 years ago I wanted to be a firefighter! I was so passionate about it too! Now? I’m so glad I figured out my calling in life does not involve 3 a.m. wake up calls and 4 alarm fires. I’m far more content to work on my writing and photography.
Sooo, 2012…
I’m about 6ish chapters into writing my first book – a memoir about my trips to Ireland. In tandem with that project, I’m working on some short fiction and using my new favorite website, Writers Market, to find appropriate publications for my work. Goals? Finish the memoir this year, secure an agent, and find a publisher. If Elizabeth Gilbert can sell Eat, Pray, Love there’s no reason why I can’t sell Ireland (a far more interesting “I” country, in my opinon).
Photography is still interesting but in a different way. I tried the whole taking portraits and wedding photo thing for a little while, but it drove me absolutely crazy. I prefer taking photos as life happens without being concerned if the bride got a picture of the bouquet toss or if someone refuses to pay for their pictures because of their armfat. That’s not fun. And I didn’t get into photography to create more work for myself – I wanted a calm pastime. So, I will continue to photograph the world as I see it on my terms, with one goal: learn one new thing each week.
So, there you go – a snippet of my life and of things to come. Here are some previously unpublished photos from the past month:
Jolene's Life in Focus 