Monday, April 2, 2012

un poète pauvre, mais libre



For so long I was so certain that I would grow up and become a famous writer of short stories or novels or maybe witty magazine features. And if that didn't work out, I knew for certain I would become an editor, a professional and vigilant grammar Nazi. But now I'm second-guessing that future.


After attending the media conference in New York and meeting the nation's most prestigious editors, I felt unimpressed. I can't imagine myself associating with them, and I surely don't want to become like them: boring, condescending, and -- did I mention boring?


I always have loved stories and writing, and I still do! Though I have written some fiction, I've always preferred writing poetry, and I've always been better at that. But, in case you weren't aware, poets don't make any money. Quite literally. None. Even when they have their work published, they still usually make none.

I haven't quite given up the notion of becoming a writer or editor, but I'm keeping my mind open to new ideas. With all my interests, I imagine I will experience multiple careers in my lifetime.


Oddly enough, this uncertainty feels good. I feel free not knowing what it is I want. I feel like dancing. I feel like exploring. I want to try everything.


Outfit Details:
(It deeply irks me that the waistline of my dress peeked out in these photos. I'm trying not to be OCD about it, but it's very very hard.)

Linked up at Not Dead Yet Style.

Necklace//Target (Surprised? I was.)
Dress (worn as blouse)//Vintage, 1980s
Cardigan//Charlotte Russe
Ring//Antique - Sara Coventry
Skirt//Vintage, Ralph Lauren, 1980s
Shoes//Vintage via The Paraders

20 comments:

  1. Whoa, the necklace is from Target? I thought it was vintage. I love the antique tone set by the whole outfit. Very cool. As for those editors...forget them. People are always wanting me to paint boring mountain landscapes. I will let the rest of the flock do that.

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  2. Yes, what Crazy Ravens said - don't let anyone pigeon-hole you. And don't be boring, that's the absolute worst!! Not that you're in danger of that. : > Love your vintage-y outfit, and thanks for sharing with Visible Monday.

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  3. Glad you are keeping an open mind-but please don't ever quit writing poetry, it is so beautiful.

    Love your skirt :)

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  4. I'm excited for you and your journey to finding out what you want to do! I'm kinda going back and forth with what I want to do as well. But this freedom is amazing, isn't it?

    xo, gina

    anythingimaginableblog.blogspot.com

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  5. With all the shifting tides in modern commerce, we can't predict our future and careers of the past no longer exist. Follow your dream at its core and you'll find places to live it. The traditional modern of a writer's life no longer exists, and professional journalism and literature is filled with, as you say, boring people. Look elsewhere.

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  6. You look stunning. love your dress and necklace.

    xoxo
    http://www.qhuleque.blospot.com

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  7. What are you saying? I'm an editor...haha. I know what you mean, though. I think the other editor on our team fits that description...especially the condescending part.

    That said, editing is my second career (I was a web designer first), and I'm "only" 29. So you can always change your mind. Good luck in your search for your chosen career path!

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  8. I love your outfit. I love the necklace with it. I had one of those but gave it to my daughter because I never found anything to wear it with. Now I wish I had kept it!
    You have a lot of time left to do whatever you want. Inspire others through this blog for now. You have certainly inspired me!

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  9. I love this outfit!!

    I know how you feel. I'm starting to doubt that the career path I've chosen is really what I want to do for the rest of my life. However, I know that I'm not bound to stick to it, and I'm really excited by how uncertain the future is. We can go anywhere!!

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  10. You look wonderful in these shots dear. Well even if you arent sure what you want to be at least you know what you dont want to be and thats something.

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  11. I really like the blouse and cardigan decorated with the necklaces. It's kinda sad to find out how boring people can be especially when you think they live exciting lives. I like your perspective on feel uncertain about things...I wish I could embrace and feel good about it like you do. Instead I feel anxious and frustrated.

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  12. LOVE this skirt. It's seems so hard to really figure out what you want to do. At least you can always write some poetry even if you end up working in a completely different field. You're so smart & tallented I'm sure you'll figure something out.

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  13. this mix of patterns is just perfection... love the whole outfit so much.

    http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.de

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  14. Hello :) No worries in reply to your comment a while ago! Love the outfit in this post, hope all goes well in the job find. I'm sure you'll settle on what you want to do eventually but in the mean time I completely agree that sometimes uncertainty is good :) xx

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  15. Hi--found your post through Not Dead Yet Style and had to comment! I'm a poet, too, and I find it's more of a calling than a career, though I have had some good fortune with publication. I'm an editor, too, and I have met lots of interesting, fun, awake people in the field who love to base their lives around words. (Boring people, too, of course.)

    Don't give up entirely. Find your own way. Find other writers and editors you click with. They (we?) are out there!

    And I love your Molly Ringwald/Pretty in Pink vibe to this outfit! Adorable!

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  16. charming outfit...as always. Polka dots and florals are just fabulous together...with the lovely pearls they look perfect. You are so good at putting together vintage chic outfits! I am sure you will find a job you enjoy eventually just don;t stop pursuing your passion in writing!

    mongs
    mythriftycloset,blogspot.com

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  17. This outfit is beautiful on you and somehow I'm not surprised that it was boring though that makes me sad because that's the field I'm sort of trying to go into. Oh, the uncertainty of our futures!

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  18. Well there's no point in sugar coating it -- this is not an easy moment to choose a career in written media. You might have heard me talk about my bestie Margaret, who since grad school (the prestigious Writer's Workshop at Iowa no less!) has moved around the country taking on fellowships and residencies (she just finished one at the Vermont Studio Center), and teaching gigs. She also works as an assistant agent at a publishing house, helping solicit potential authors for non fiction books. Basically, I feel like she's a great example of the fact that life as a writer can be done, but it's hard work and very competitive, and you have to be willing to make yourself the best candidate in every aspect of your work. Of course, that's all easy for me to say -- I just get to sit on the sidelines and brag about my friend. ;)

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  19. You look so pretty! I really love how you wore that dotted dress as a blouse. The floral skirt looks perfect with it.

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I do my best to respond to all comments, but I'm pretty scatterbrained. So if I skip over you, it's most surely unintentional.
Thank you for your sweet words!
<3