W00t!

JulieJames · Nov 19, 2009

Ok so I started a novel a couple of months back, but it got pushed back to the back burner due to life....

Well recently at work I've been written up for being on the internet too much.... There's tons of drama involved around this but nothing good that I want to write about.

About the same time that I got written up I decided I need to leave my mark on this world asap (esp if it's ending in 2012!) So I've started working on my novel just while I'm at work because outside of work I still have other things to do like the business I run out of my house and study for IT exams etc.

Anywho! here's the whole point of this post, in the last 6 or less hours I've written around 2k words and 13 pages! I can't believe I've written so much! Maybe there is some light at the end of the tunnel!

BigWords · Nov 19, 2009

You're trying to destroy the economy even further, aren't you...

Rhys Cordelle · Nov 19, 2009

Wow. Your boss must love you.

Libbie · Nov 19, 2009

That's great that you've written so much, but now you're just going to get written up for working on your book.

Caitlin Black · Nov 19, 2009

Classic artist attitude. "If I'm in trouble, I may aswell work on my craft." I love it.

Kudos on the 2k.

Mara · Nov 19, 2009

If you're a bus driver, pilot, or surgeon, please don't write while on the job.

Otherwise, congrats! And try not to get caught.

kaitie · Nov 19, 2009

I do most of my writing at work as well. I just happen to have a job that allows for it (nice, huh?). When I first started all of my time went into lesson plans, but now I basically reuse old ones so I typically don't have to spend more than an hour or two a week on them. That means lots of extra hours for writing.

Anyway, congrats on working again. Keep at it.

Maxinquaye · Nov 20, 2009

Congrats. Now, don't do like I did and write 30-40k in one week. I tell you, you feel great for about 1 day, and then when you start to go over the manuscript you're likely to make yourself bald.

NeuroFizz · Nov 20, 2009

I believe there is an ethical issue here--you are being paid to do YOUR JOB. I find your response to being written up for being on the internet disgusting. There are people out there who would not only love to have your job, they would actually work to earn the paycheck. If your boss cans your a$$, don't complain here.

Terie · Nov 20, 2009

At the risk of being a party-pooper, I'm with NeuroFizz on this one. Unless your job is the sort that allows for you to do your own thing on company time (and since you got written up for surfing the 'net, it sounds like yours isn't one of those), you're stealing money from your employer who's paying you to do the work they assign you.

You also might want to check your company's Human Resources manual; they might consider that they own any work you perform during hours for which they're paying you, and if you sell that novel, they might decide they're entitled to some of the proceeds.

Namatu · Nov 20, 2009

Terie said:
You also might want to check your company's Human Resources manual; they might consider that they own any work you perform during hours for which they're paying you, and if you sell that novel, they might decide they're entitled to some of the proceeds.

Yes, this. Very much this. If they're watching you (Internet activity for one) they can also monitor what you're typing. Even if they don't go after copyright, you could lose your job. Be wary.

Libbie · Nov 20, 2009

NeuroFizz said:
I believe there is an ethical issue here--you are being paid to do YOUR JOB. I find your response to being written up for being on the internet disgusting. There are people out there who would not only love to have your job, they would actually work to earn the paycheck. If your boss cans your a$$, don't complain here.

Yeah, seriously.

Sn00py · Nov 20, 2009

Others have said it all. It is unethical and a stupid risk. You could lose your job and the rights to your manuscript.

JulieJames · Nov 23, 2009

Good points all around and all of them have been considered, but there's a lot more to the story than I put upfront. Initially I was told (by my supervisor's supervisor) to surf the net, "So that I'd look busy" My job is one of those feast or famine kind of jobs. You're either so busy you can't see straight or you're bored to tears. (So I guess you can't see either way!

) I don't know, it's a union job and don't think I'm not gratefull for it, I'm EXTREEMLY gratefull to have my job right now, I have a lot of unemployeed friends that couldn't get a job if their lifes depended on it because of this economy. Believe me I am gratefull for my job and the security of my job. I'm not the only one that surfs the net either. So I guess what I'm trying to say is thanks for the congrats and the words of warning, I appreciate them all.

W00t!

JulieJames

boldly going nowhere...

BigWords

Geekzilla

Rhys Cordelle

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Caitlin Black

Wild one

Mara

Clever User Title

kaitie

With great power comes

Maxinquaye

That cheeky buggerer

NeuroFizz

The grad students did it

Terie

Writer is as Writer does

Namatu

Lost in mental space.

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Sn00py

Literary Laureate

JulieJames

boldly going nowhere...