Good morning! How is everyone today? I hope you’re all well and coping with this continuing pandemic as well as you can. We’re in a lockdown here in Ireland, and I know that the UK is following with similar measures from Thursday onwards. I just keep thinking of the saying: “this will pass”. It can’t go on forever, nothing ever does, so hopefully someday soon we’ll see the light at the end of the Covid tunnel.
For me this pandemic has given me the kick I’ve needed to think “outside the box”. I’ve been working in music for the past eleven years, and whilst I love music, I’ve always wanted to work as a writer too (ideally having a portfolio career that combines both music and writing). However, although I continued to write over the years, my job in music basically took over my life, making it very difficult to find time to pursue anything else. But then my little man was born, and things changed. I slowed down, I realised what was important in my life, and writing for a career seemed like a possibility again. I started this blog, continued on a very big writing project that I’m still working on, and then carried on plodding along as usual (it’s so much easier to plod along, don’t you think?). But then Covid-19 happened. Plodding along was no longer an option.
With things looking very uncertain, I decided to use the time I had over the summer to qualify as a proofreader and editor. Just in case. I loved the course and knew that I wanted to actually use what I’d learned. In late summer it became clear that due to childcare issues, and the fact that I teach woodwind instruments, my working life was going to change. Although I’m still working in music, this seemed like an opportunity to also pursue a career in writing, proofreading, and editing.
In my last post I mentioned I was working on a couple of writing projects, so let me introduce you to one of them, my new venture: CMB Writing Services. My writing, proofreading and editing service.
This is my first foray into being a “mumtrepreneur”! I’m really excited about it (and a little bit nervous too). I always knew that if I was ever lucky enough to become a mum I wanted a career that worked around my family. Fortunately I’ve also been lucky enough that I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was at primary school, so at least it’s a career that has the potential to work around family life. However, I have no intention of leaving the music world, and I also have another idea that I’m working on too, so watch this space!
So I’m taking the first step on a new path, now I just have to keep on walking, and who knows where it will lead …
If anyone is on Facebook, I’d love a “like” or a “follow” on my page: https://www.facebook.com/CMB-Writing-101361395117572
My website is: www.colettembrooks.com
Many thanks for reading!
Colette x
New Mum, New Life 