Scatterbrained and Proud Of It

For a long time, I've had three or four jobs at one time--something that's not uncommon among writerly types. I write novels, curriculum and non-fiction pieces for magazines. I also tended bar at a local restaurant until very recently. For the most part, this sort of scattered approach suits me. I get to explore lots of different interests and writing "voices." Sometimes it has its downsides, as when I'm on a deadline for more than one project and not sleeping well. But for the most part, I love indulging my scatterbrained self. I don't even mind doing marketing for my books. It's just one more part of my oddly shaped work days.

My approach to life began in college. I had a hard time choosing a major because it seemed unreasonable and boring to take classes in mostly one subject. I solved the problem by choosing the most non-specific liberal arts program I could find: Rhetoric, and spent all eight semesters with a schedule full of classes in English, psychology, art history, regular history, speech, sociology, philosophy, women's studies, Spanish, business, math, film, nutrition, astronomy...you get the picture. I can't believe Wisconsin awarded me a degree after that crazy run through its halls. :-)

I'm not a Renaissance Woman, because I can't fix cars or tile your bathroom or paint a nice watercolor landscape. I'm more like an information junkie who loves to learn. You can see why I chose to become a writer.

However, writers often stick with a certain style or audience. You know what you're getting when you buy a Meg Cabot novel or a Michael Lewis book, for example. It's wise, in a noisy book market, to focus. But I can't. I want to write all different sorts of things. In addition to my Teashop Girls books, I recently started the Planet Explorers: Travel Guides for Kids brand. I'm also proud to announce the release of a drama-filled young adult novel titled Notes to Self this week. It might seem a bit scatterbrained to put time and energy into these projects after my success with the Teashop Girls (all wisdom would suggest I focus on Teashop 3), but what can I say? Scatterbrained is me.

I've chosen to take on the pen name Avery Sawyer for all my Y.A. material going forward, as I want to write in an edgier style without confusing any Teashop fans. It's somewhat ironic, as Notes to Self is my most personal novel to date...but I think it makes sense. "Laura Schaefer" for kid and tween content, "Avery Sawyer" for teens. Cool?

Are you a scatterbrain, too? Let us unite and revel in it! :-)