Creativity Vs The Mortgage...

Here's what shouldn't happen to a writer - or rather - here's what SHOULD happen - we should all have a small lottery win - enough to fund a year or so of creativity.  What do you think guys?  Here's what actually DID happen in my case - and sits as a pathetic excuse / reason for the lack of posts in recent months - I got a job!


I have an odd, comedy job really.  I am a freelance Project Manager.


Being a Project Manager is a bit like being a parent. If you can co-ordinate schedules and get everyone where they need to be, on time, with the relevant packed lunches and equipment, provide food for a small army of people, all of whom have different dietary fads and requirements, manage the allocation and overspend of pocket money and household expenditure, sort out squabbles, and do your best to get everyone to play fair, all at the same time, then the chances are you could be a pretty successful Project Manager. For the non parents among you, think of herding a group of cats.

In order to be a Project Manager, you need a proper Project Management qualification. And common sense, an unending capacity for patience and understanding, even in the most adverse of circumstances, a bit of experience, a skin like rhinoceros hide, and a talent for the kind of plate spinning tricks that used to get regular air time on TV talent shows in the 1970s.

I work on a contract basis, which means that I get to do varied and interesting stuff across many sectors and industries. Otherwise known as the stuff that is too messy, difficult or unpopular for the regular workforce to deliver it.

The nature of being a contract Project Manager is that you are usually called in when the employing company realise that the impossible cannot be achieved within the original timescales and with the original budget, so they get somebody temporary in so that they can blame all of the delay and overspend on you when you’ve departed. Of course, in some circumstances ‘temporary’ can mean years and years - longer than the average prison sentence.


But I am lucky. I cannot tell you how lucky I am. All of the above gives me untold opportunities to meet new people, to travel, to experience the new, the difficult, the frustrating and the rewarding.  I am currently spending much of my time in Sweden - working with interesting people, great culture, beautiful surroundings and fabulous knitwear.  And of course, travel and observation is writer's gold.  My trusty notebook accompanies me wherever I go.


Note to self - make more time for postings.