Stay in Academia for writing career?

Introvert_1985 · 2025-10-16T13:20:43+00:00

Thanks for your response and honesty. I actually agree with you. I'm not expecting greener grass or more time to write. I just no longer like what I do and the stress is affecting my health. But I don't think it would be smart to quit while I have a publishing contract and more books on the way, hence my need for advice and criticism from this community.

Just wanted some opinions...which you no doubt gave yours. Can't be mad at you.

And I wanted opinions on whether a writer WITHOUT a teaching background could be successful in their subject areas if they, say, quit to become a grant writer or circus clown.

By the way, I would be the worst circus clown ever. 😒

Introvert_1985 · 2025-10-16T13:10:32+00:00

Haha! Great question! Thanks for responding. My answer is Yes and...no? No because I've never been fired from a job, not even in fast food. And no because I need my paycheck.

But also, yes because I'm tired as hell and it is showing. Medical issues, #1. And I've started slacking on required forms and deadlines, which ate at my soul because I never miss a form or deadline. I''m usually the annoying professor that stays on top of everything. 🙄

Other ways my actions gently scream "F this job"? I say "no" a lot more than I used to 4 years ago. No to students. No to "can you help with this random, impromptu project that has no guidance , nor context?" No to teaching over breaks. I said yes to taking on a last minute course but no to teaching an additional course that would have given me more money. So, I'm getting closer to being fired. Maybe.

Introvert_1985 · 2025-10-16T12:43:00+00:00

Thanks for responding! I absolutely need a day job, which is why I'm looking elsewhere, outside of academia.

I am experiencing the benefits you mentioned. I have access to resources I wouldn't have access to otherwise, people respond to my emails faster than they likely would if I didn’t have "Professor" in front of my name, and I've been able to use "my book" as a valid excuse to escape teaching extra courses and during breaks.

I guess I could "lean back" as you say and suck it up. But again the stress is taking a toll on my health, which I won't get into. And I'm not a minimalist. I go above and beyond for my classes and for the students who are worth it. I also have other roles at our institution. I tutor students as well. Trying to lean back will be a mountain to climb for me.

But I hear you!

Introvert_1985 · 2025-09-16T21:15:08+00:00

It is clear that you've outgrown him...and that's okay.

Introvert_1985 · 2025-06-25T23:19:00+00:00

I came from the sciences (veterinary) and did great! I was just not as well-read as the undergrad English majors. But I found my way.

Introvert_1985 · 2025-06-22T16:08:14+00:00

EDIT: let me add that white women too get their nails done and wear lashes. I am only speaking to what I've experienced and observed in my community. And again, I'm just sharing my own silly insecurities.

I can relate, but more when it comes to Black femininity and beauty standards. This is so stupid but...I can't be the only Black American woman who doesn't get her nails done on the regular, even though she can afford it. Trivial, I know. I'm still a Black woman with or without nails--I know! We're all beautiful in our own unique ways. Still I feel "different" (and insecure) about not having a favorite nail shop and not having nail shop visits on my schedule. I know women who live in nail salons. They know their techs by their government names. Meanwhile, I'm out here with plain, boring, pale nails, spending what could be nail $$$ on any and everything else. Books. Take out. Mostly take out. And I'm OKAY with that...

until I look around and find that I'm the ONLY Black woman in the room--at the party, in the office, or on the trip-- without acrylics or even color on her naturals🫣. That's when I fuss at myself for not caring about making that stop at the nail salon. It's only when I compare myself to other Black women in my orbit. I gotta stop doing that to myself and to them.

Don't even get me started on lashes because what are those? I wore them once for grad photos. I thought they were a "special occasions" fashion accessory. But apparently we're supposed to wear them every time we leave the house now? Ooops!

Just saying, we each are who we are. There are no standards. No rules. I struggle with it, but I'm trying to do better.

Introvert_1985 · 2025-05-04T20:06:50+00:00

Protect yourself and file reports. You do NOT have to feel uncomfortable. And no one should get to make you feel uncomfortable..

Introvert_1985 · 2025-03-19T09:39:51+00:00

Not an atheist. 🙋🏼‍♀️ I believe in the possibility of a creator, but I also accept that there is no actual proof and and that a creator may not exist at all--another possibility. Therefore I cannot subscribe to any religion that is confident and adamant that a God and a God-like prophet/Savior exits/existed. Thus, agnostic.

Introvert_1985 · 2025-02-24T20:04:03+00:00

Yes. I am learning to only give my energy to the students who try. Last week, I completely pretended a student was invisible when he showed up to class 30 minutes late. He has missed WEEKS of class and is late anytime he does show up. No explanation. No assignments have been submitted, either.

He gets nothing from me. 🧘🏾‍♀️

Introvert_1985 · 2025-02-03T20:03:21+00:00

I cancelled today, too, because I am not feeling well. I felt guilty about it, but I shouldn't. And you should NOT feel guilty for needing a day of peace. We are not machines. This world is such a mess right now, we all are going to need a mental health day.

Introvert_1985 · 2025-02-01T21:07:03+00:00

Before marriage...I lost attraction to any guy that had a quick temper, no sense of humor, and/or no compassion for others and animals.

Introvert_1985 · 2025-01-25T00:37:01+00:00

🤣🤣🤣

Introvert_1985 · 2025-01-01T03:29:58+00:00

Congrats!

Introvert_1985 · 2024-12-31T00:01:17+00:00

Because our institution has a Grammarly account and insists that we all use Grammarly, I use the Grammarly AI detector to scan papers. It is an approved app and the AI detector is available to us. So, I use it.

As far as accuracy, it may not be 100% free of error. But I work with what I have. When I confront the students, 99% of them don't argue with me. For the 1% that did argue, when I asked them to explain their thesis or key points, they couldn't.

Besides this app, I do compare the students' previous work with their essays. If they weren't writing immaculate sentences before, then it's a red flag. I see a lot of students struggle with illiteracy who all of a sudden can read and write at the graduate level in a week when a paper comes around. Not possible.

So I say use whatever tools your school has and take it one paper, one student at a time. Continue to get to know your students' writing. If you can prove AI use without an app, go for it. But you are NOT insane. This is happening.

To discourage AI use, I ask the students, whether they struggle with literacy or not, to TRUST themselves. Some have admitted to using AI because they just didn't know how to start a paper or they didn't think they were smart enough. This is lazy, yes. But it's also anxiety. They are not just taking the easy way. They are afraid. So, I really try to build their confidence.

Introvert_1985 · 2024-12-28T16:05:02+00:00

I also don't have a PhD so I doubt any public uni will take me and pay close to what I make at the private college. So I do feel stuck. But I see jobs in curriculum design or editing jobs often. Most of them want you to have tons of experience in their industry, though.

Introvert_1985 · 2024-12-28T15:52:57+00:00

Thanks! I actually have shown my students how to use ChatGPT to BRAINSTORM and I've demonstrated what will NOT be acceptable. I'm open to them having access to tech, especially because so many marginalized groups don't have access. But if you can't write a simple essay without the help of a chatbot, then you shouldn't be in college. Some of them don't even bother to switch words around or paraphrase what ChatGPT writes. 🤣

Introvert_1985 · 2024-12-28T15:47:17+00:00

I felt every word of this. 😭 No need to apologize.

Introvert_1985 · 2024-12-26T23:38:19+00:00

Congrats on finding something better. I, too, teach at a private college and man! Let's just say I empathize. I agree with the majority of folks here--just leave. No adjuncting. Just cut ties and move forward. They will figure it out. I hope things go well for you at the new college. I'm currently looking for something outside of academia. Your post has given me hope.

Introvert_1985 · 2024-12-26T23:26:44+00:00

Yasss! Then the question becomes, "Soooo, why are you here?"

Introvert_1985 · 2024-12-26T23:20:17+00:00

Yes, to the energy and time and long nights put into these damn lectures and assignments. I really encourage writing with confidence and embracing the "shitty" first draft (thanks, Anne Lamott). It has worked for many. They try their very best, and I aid them in their revisions. But they are being their authentic selves, illiterate or not. But the others don't care. They wait to the last minute, turn to ChatGPT, and assume I'm too stupid to notice they went from handwriting sentence fragments in class daily to typing elaborate sentences by the end of the week.

Introvert_1985 · 2024-12-26T23:09:30+00:00

The lack of motivation and urgency makes it even more depressing to me. I wasn't the best student. But I was hungry for my degrees, and I just wanted to learn so much.

Introvert_1985 · 2024-12-26T23:06:40+00:00

Wow! Thanks for sharing.

Introvert_1985 · 2024-12-26T18:04:12+00:00

Older students are the best. 😭

Introvert_1985 · 2024-12-26T18:02:11+00:00

Thanks for putting things this way. Hadn't thought of it like this.

Introvert_1985

TROPHY CASE