Postscript
Somebody at work very kindly pointed out that yesterday's post gave the appearance that I was 'blowing my own trumpet' about being a 'top executive'. Err, no. That is sooooo far from how I think of myself that I am quite red-faced at the thought of it. No, I was referring to the character in the Allison Pearson novel, who is the kind of be-suited, top flight city exec that I couldn't possibly hope (or wish, actually) to become. I am merely a struggling digital publisher, which, I can assure you, is pretty low down the food chain of desirable / glamorous jobs by anyone's standards in the trade publishing business, and a would-be (but always failing) supermum.
3 comments:
You should blow your own trumpet. Having met yout kids I am so impressed by them. It's obvious that you don't allow working hard to be an excuse for avoiding putting 100% into them. Both you and the man are really excellent parents.
On another note, I have seen a few friends work in pressurised jobs part-time - juggling away - and there has been a degree of snippiness from colleagues at them "not working as long hours like us". The reality is that these women have had to be far smarter in their time management and have generally fitted into three days what others do in a week, There is no water cooler moment, slacking on facebook or "bonding" in the pub. It can get pretty lonely. Its an awsome level of efficiency, which rarely goes noticed or rewarded. I'm sure that is not true of where you work, but the fact is, we could all learn a thing of two from you and other working mothers.
I don’t think your colleague’s comment is only – or even – about working mothers, blowing your own trumpet, and so on. It’s more about writing, or being a writer. It’s a very vulnerable position, writing, then re-writing, checking what you’ve written, waking up worrying that we’ve said something wrong, rewriting and still we can’t predict what comments will come from elsewhere.
I think you write with two of the most important attributes of a good writer: honesty and passion. I think your colleague’s comment says more about him/her that it does about you. Keep going, you’ve written nothing wrong. On the contrary.
I don't think too many people would bat an eyelid if a top male executive described himself as a top male executive. (in fact, my mother - aka Mrs Bennett - would probably shove me towards him after having asked me if I couldn't have made 'a bit more effort with yourself')
Seductively powerful, charmingly confident - predicated of men.
Sassy, bolshy, pushy - predicated of women.
humph.
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