Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride!
RWW also has a website with its own blog, a newsletter, and can be found on Facebook, and Twitter (@RWWBlog).
If you’ve wondered in from Jenna Da Sie’s wonderful blog or are starting your tour with me, welcome to a fun day filled with getting down to business. 
Today’ s challenge comes from Jeanne McDonald – Outside of writing, what is your day job? Give interesting facts about the job, and yes, Homemaker is a viable option (a very important one, I might add). What inspired you to take on this job and would you ever consider giving it to one of your characters?
Over my life I’ve had a wide and varied array of jobs. From my humble beginnings as a grocery store bag boy right through to my current retired status. I’ve been a store clerk, radio announcer, commercial copywriter, owned my own retail store (The Hobby Stop – dismal failure), night school teacher (computer technology), and librarian. I finally ended up in the world of IT as a desktop support specialist. (I have no formal training in the area, but it was at a time almost no one did.)
Yeah, this is me.
During most of my early adult life I also supplemented my income by playing in various bands. Country, Rock, and yes, I even spent time with a polka band. (Great fun, and lots of beer.)
I finally ended up in the world of IT as a desktop support specialist. (I have no formal training in the area, but it was at a time almost no one did.)
The job I am most proud of though, is homemaker. For five wonderful years, after the birth of my daughter, I was able to stay home and care for her and my son, cooking, cleaning, and …well homemaking.
I couldn’t have been able to do all this without the full support of my wonderful wife, who had a good, stable job.
Of course what inspired me to take on all those jobs was money. I never had a career that drew me for any other reason before I started getting serious about my writing. I worked to support my family and my hobbies. Writing, yeah, that’s my passion. It just took me a long time to figure that out.
So the closest I’ve come to giving one of my characters a job I had, was Jord in Son of Thunder. He moonlighted as a college professor (I taught night school for a technical college). I think when I look for jobs for my characters I look for something different, something I haven’t done (yet), because that’s what I always did while I was working.
By the way, Sarah Hegger has two incredible books on sale right now, (Click the covers to get them) and two books coming out in less than a month. (Holy cow!)
So, what does she do when she’s not writing? (You know, those five or six minutes per week she must have at her pace.) Find out at: http://sarahhegger.com/sarah-hegger/
Reblogged this on NEVA BROWN & BOOKS.
Thanks Neva ♥
Polka band, hmm? Color me intrigued
Polkas = Pure Fun. You just can’t frown during a polka.
Steve your work history is a little bit like my own. At least the start of it. So I get the looking for what keeps you motivated. (Donald)
Yeah, I always started out great in jobs, then lost interest and started looking for the ‘greener grass.’ I think I found it now, though.
I love that you’re a musician and I’m betting you even know the Beer Barrel Polka! Based on all the things you’ve done over the years, you could give your characters a plethora of fascinating jobs!
LOL. The Beer Barrel Polka? Oh yeah. I’m from Wisconsin after all. Gotta know that one here.
I love that you were able to stay home with your kids for a few years.
It was the best time of my life, right up to retirement. This kind of beats it now, less poop to deal with, at least until I see some grandchildren. (Kids, are you listening?)
Bands, radio, IT, teaching, and taking care of your kids – so very cool that you have such a varied resume! It’s so awesome that you were able to stay home with your kids. I’m sure they cherish those memories. I know I do with my mom.
It’s been a wonderful life so far, and only keeps getting better. thanks for dropping by.
What an amazing life you’ve had so far! You should bring your guitar to RWA in San Diego. We can jam or something. And now I want to hear some Polka. =)
I think Jamming with you would be awesome, but I am way out of practice.
I agree that when I “found” writing, everything fell into place and I knew that this was my calling. And raising kids, that gives you more fodder for writing than anything else I know!
So true, Veronica. So true.
Wow- My husband plays the banjo and I think one day he’s going to run off and join a band:-) I love that you stayed home with kids. Happy writing:-)
Hey, Stephan King plays in a musical group of all authors. Maybe we need to get one together. We can call it, The Romancing Stones. 🙂
A jack of all trades. The perfect background for a writer.
It’s given me lots of material to work with. 🙂
Country Rock, yeah! I was a fan of Southern Rock and now a fan of the new country rock! Whose your fav?
I’m into a lot of indy, Youtube artists right now. Many times their covers are so much better than the originals.
Wow, will have to check ’em out!
I’m totally into Indie too Steven! Currently can’t get enough of Alt J. SO happy you found your true calling in writing. You are great at it!
Wonderful story, Steve. I never realized you were talented in so many different areas, other than as an author of course. Wonderful you’ve been able to realize your true passion!