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I've been MIA, so here's an UPDATE!

Well fellow Rainers, it's been way too long since I've been on! Missing my AR family right about now. Here's the latest on what's been up.

Moved from Baltimore --although staging biz had picked up, finding FT employment was taking a long time, and bills need to be paid, right?

Back in hometown, Columbia, SC --home sweet home or sort of; I love Columbia, but it's not exactly a "thriving" metropolis

Backstory -- four years prior I had some success meeting with publishers/agents/et cetera regarding my writing (the more serious, nonblog stuff LOL); didn't pursue because honestly I got the shakes and wasn't sure it was the right time...a stint of steady corporate employment keep me paid but far from my writing roots

Now -- after some thought and prayer, the vision is beginning to materialize and I think it's time I put aside my marketing/graphic design/corporate bag (exclusively) and get back on the literary track

Plans -- attending a writing conference end of October and preparing material now; if all goes well, I'll be relocating (back) to the city where my novel takes place: LA

How this relates to AR -- LA is a pricey town and I'll need a solid PT to make this dream a reality. Any takers? If you know of anything, I'll send you a link to my portfolio site. I've got a BA, 5 years experience and do a heck of a lot -- from graphic design to technical writing to corporate communications to mixing paint at your local hardware store to waiting tables. Serious. Let the bidding begin.

Posted by Audrey Hoffman, VoteAudrey on 08/18/2008 03:00 PM

Comments (30)

travel, writing, career, la

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30 Comments on I've been MIA, so here's an UPDATE!

AUG

2008

Audrey - I don't have a job offer for you right now, but I was happy to see your face pop up on the dashboard. I would also love to find a writing gig of some sort eventually.

Thanks for the comment, Crouch---you'll launch me to stardom in no time :)

Seriously though, it's been a rough patch in the life of AVH. To quote my favorite TV character, Adrian Monk: "What a time to be me!"

The good news is I got some affirmation from my old professor/advisor who said wait tables, mix paint, do whatever it takes to write the book; I guess some of my old college stuff was worth it's salt.

Lucky for me, I'm a nomad by nature. Unloading a ton of goods now with a new mantra: "If it doesn't fit in the Jeep, it's nothing I'm gonna keep." Well, that's a bit extreme, but you get the idea! Dropping materialism makes one's load a lot lighter and that's one step in my "moving forward" plan.

Best of luck

One of my favorite sayings is "the journey is the reward". May your journey be joyful, successful with just the right amount of bumps in the road to keep you focused and the fact that you're following your heart with an open mind is wonderful. GOOD FOR YOU!

Saying a prayer for you Audrey and looking forward to hearing more - I know the best is yet to be.

You will find your perfect place!

James -- Many Thanks!

Karen -- Thanks, Karen, I appreciate your prayers and kind sentiments!

Wow Audrey, I've wondered where Stager Girl was. I think it's great that you are going to follow your dream. If you didn't do this now, you'd probably always regret it. Good luck and keep us all posted.

Audrey

I recall your writing style a while back.....email me when you're free....I've authored one book through Entrepreneur, and I'm working on a couple of others. I know a lot of the literary agents and the contacts at a lot of these publishing houses.

So are you looking for a job is South carolina?

If so what is it that you desire to do?

I dont know if you have used linked in but it is a great way to find out who your contacts are connected to and if those contacts are at companies that you would like to work for. It is always better to have your resume come from someone at the firm. Let me know how I help,

Audrey, I was just looking at your photo on the dashboard last night wondering where you were. I was thinking of dropping you a line. I think you should follow your heart, you will never go wrong. You are stronger than you think and I know you have strong faith that will carry you through.

Keep in touch.

Audrey - good luck with your move and career. Like some of those above, I believe that happiness comes from following your dreams. I'll keep you in mind if something comes up.

Audrey, I'm with the rest no PT job in LA for you but was excited to see your smiling face pop up. I agree with Audrey that you should prayerfully follow your heart.

Your history reminds me so much of my daughter's history. She just took a different avenue after graduating with her degree in Communication Design. She has been working as a flight attendant doing international flights. She writes about her travels but has become very interested in photography. She is moving her furniture back the end of October (so I guess you have that in common also). She will be commuting from here and deciding where life is going to take her.

Mott (Aventura): one day :)

Charlene: I will -- I can't get out of the Rain entirely!

Bill: Will do, thanks

Edward (Zenith): I'm in SC now working a seasonal sales position but hope to be transitioning to LA; I have looked at Linkedin, need to check it again - - thanks for the reminder!

Audrey: Thanks for stopping in! It's been struggle/triumph/struggle but I think a lot of it's been a Jonah/Nineveh issue: not listening to the still, small voice that says go here and instead going elsewhere. I'm ready to go now!

Marchel: When you've got that creative itch, you tend to enjoy and thrive in various areas but your heart is always in creating art. It's good that she can come home and regroup -- I am SO there and can relate. But knowing when to go is key too -- and the time is coming for me to spread my wings again and leave the hometown nest! Keep me posted on how she's doing.

Erik: Please do!

Well hey there Stager Girl! I knew you moved back here to SC. I remember you blogging about it a while back. I had wondered where you ran off to. Sad to hear you will be leaving SC before we ever even get to hang out again. No more finger puppets for you!

Good luck with the writing! Unfortunately I don't really know anyone in LA except Michelle Molinari... and that's assuming that LA is in fact Lousiana and not Los Angeles. If it is the latter I'm totally out of leads for you.

Audrey!!!! I was about to sign up for a forensics course, so I could figure out where you had disappeared to!!! I have always known what a talented girl you are, and I believe the world will one day know, too!!! BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!!!

Audrey ~ Best of luck! It seems like you have given this a lot of thought and it is important to do what makes us happy.

well, if LA is a pricey town, then you are not referring to Louisiana! Best of Luck. You did not mean LA, as is "Lower Alabama" did you?

AUG

2008

Hi Audrey, just a quick note.I am not offering a job, rather advise. Check out the Rents, one bedroom Apartments start at $1200 per month in less then desirable areas and go up to the sky is the limit. The Market has slowed here as well. First time buyers are sitting out and waiting until the LA Times says it is OK to buy again. Prices droped over last year 20-25 % depending where you are.Anytime you go into a new market generally you need to have 6 months worth of financial sustenance. Keep in mind you also need a car here and gas hovers around $4.29 a gallon. LA is very superficial so if you do not have a new car preferably a Mercedes, BMW or Lexus you would be looked at as less then successful. I am not trying to discourage you, just to give you a quick insite. I have moved from Boston,MA 12 years ago and never looked back I love the climate 70s all year around. Good luck , Endre

Audrey~No major connections in LA, but I did want to pop on in and say GOOD FOR YOU! I am so excited to hear of your plans and will continue to wish you nothing but happiness and success. I had been missing you! I am lucky to get on AR maybe once a week now...just long enough to blog about the CSP radio show. I too have taken a major about face and agree with the others...the journey is far better then the destination and with passion does come possibility!!! Hence my absence...you can check out www.thedivasuccessnetwork.com for an additional hint. I know your talent and I know AR will not be the last place I read about you.

Best of luck Audrey!

hugs! Dang...I never did get to see myself in the cat suit...oh well, some things are probably way more attractive in the imagination! ha!

Melissa - You know me and finger puppets! Actually, I may be swinging your way in Sept or Oct....so don't X me out the equation just yet! :) and yes, Los Angeles!

Elaine - You're too hilarious for your own good, you know that? Thank you thank you!

Kathy P - You're absolutely right ---and I believe when our heart's desire meets God's will, good things happen

Karen D - Referring to the mucho expensive City of Angels :)

Endre - I lived in Westwood before, so I'm aware of some of the LA snobbery and pricey rents. I move to the shake of my own tambourine, so scoffers beware---I'm quite proud of my Jeep Liberty! (it's paid in full, after all) As for perceived success? From John 3:27, "...No one can receive anything else God gives it from heaven." Thanks for the tips :)

Gina - Not so fast! Just 'cause Staging Girl's comic was on break doesn't mean it's over. Be prepared for a sneak attack!!

AUG

2008

It's always wonder to go for your dreams. You go girl, I know you'll be successful as the passion comes out when you write about it. Keep in touch.

Audreyyyyy! Welcome back. Great to hear from you. Follow your heart and pursue your dream. Much success to you on your future endeavors. I am praying for you. You are going to be successful in whatever you plan to do. Keep in touch. Great post.

I'm so glad you stopped in. One thing is for sure...you were missed, as you can see from all the comments. I'm sitting here in NH with no LA contacts at all, sorry. But, I do wish you the very best and if your AR talent is any indication, LA doesn't know what is about to hit them! You go get 'em! Make sure you stop in and let us all know how you are doing. Best of luck!

Audrey, let me know you I can help. Do you want me to send you links to Home Stagers? Appartment Links etc. your, Endre

AUG

2008

Good luck pursuing your dream. I think it is wonderful that you can and will do so.

Audrey,

Welcome back! Best of luck to you in all of your new ventures, what ever they may be!

OCT

2008

hi Audrey, what a nice surprise to see you back in the Rain. I'm also happy to read about your new direction, we all have to do what's right for us and bringing a dream to reality is a great way to go!

Audrey: Email me michelle@movingmountainsdesign.com and give me a better idea of what you are looking for. I live in Pasadena/Los Angeles . I don't have any work for you at the moment but things change rapidly around here. We are having a Stage It Forward Roundtable on Nov. 14 which you are welcome to attend. You can meet some local stagers, network, etc.

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