I Got DOGEd. Then I Was Nudged to Write.
Life's Little Turns
After eight years with the Federal government, I was DOGEd. Then I was nudged to write.
The DOGE-ing
I looked at the tenth shitty little email from DOGE, under the guise of our acting administrator, and felt despair.
His emails were bipolar.
One of the first emails DEMANDED we report anyone whom we thought might be a DEI hire IMMEDIATELY or suffer a terrible penalty (the penalty was left up to our imagination). It felt very biblical, wrath of a vengeful god kind of thing.
The next email told us how he hoped we could make work fun and enjoy being with everyone again, as we relocated from our home offices back to government offices full time.
It felt like a game of Russian Roulette each time I double-clicked on one of his emails.
This day, sadly, the bullet was in the chamber. It was my notification of RIF (Reduction In Force). It wasn’t unexpected, but it still hurt.
The Nudging
I started writing, learning, and submitting my work to contests in 2020 during the Pandemic.
Worried that my death was imminent, I was nudged to accomplish that thing I’d always put off. You know the one. That thing that if you don’t do it before you die, your life will be deemed incomplete and regretful.
My thing was to be a writer. I thought it would be cool. This was my first nudge.
Thankfully, I joined Vocal during that time. Each challenge they issued felt like an assignment or an exam that pushed and shaped my abilities. Sometimes I did well in the challenges and other times ... not so much. But I grew.
Then life got in the way, my job, my family, etc., you know the drill. The novelty wore off of my writing adventure, and it became a task rather than a joy. My writing faded.
More Nudging
My second nudge came after I was DOGEd. It was a whisper at first, like all nudges are, until it became a push.
As I filled out my eleventh job application, I noticed how sad I felt when I imagined I might get the job. This was the whisper.
After a while, each application I submitted made me think, Man, I wish I could write for a living. That would be cool. Eventually, this thought began to circle through my mind like a washer stuck on spin. Pushed on by this repetitive idea, I relented and turned my focus to writing again. Nudge received loud and clear.
Leap Taken
My strategy is to write every day, as everyone recommends if you're serious about being a writer, and to soak in as much knowledge as possible.
I know that writing is not for the faint of heart. The fear of rejection is real. My insecurities pop out of places in my psyche that I didn't even know I had, and the fear of failure is even greater than all of the other fears combined.
That's okay. I'm sure I will fail at first, but as Margaret Atwood said in the Master Class episode I just watched:
"You become a writer by writing. There is no other way. So do it. Do it more. Do it again. Do it better. Fail. Fail better."
My Focus
My range is an eclectic mix of short story fantasy, romantacy, and sci-fi, with a smattering of writing tips in between.
I twist fairy tales into adult-themed stories, where good becomes bad and bad becomes something else.
Since I like romance, you might see a story about a mermaid struggling with life as a human, who gets romantically entangled with the Korean god of hell (this is a work in progress).
I wrote a humorous story of a farmer who meets a time-traveling, talking chicken. It made me chuckle out loud while writing it. There will be more of those funny stories in the future.
Whatever the genre, I hope to connect with you.
As always, thank you for reading.
S.J. Frederick
About the Creator
S.J. Frederick
I've been writing for a few years in my spare time. I'm trying to find my voice, though I'm not sure if I'll know when it's here. For now, I'm just enjoying the journey.
Keep reading
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Comments (28)
I understand the feeling about NOT wanting to get another job. I still apply, but I'm sure it's just going to suck the joy out of me and keep from from writing. Congrats on top story!
I loved that: I noticed how sad I felt (if I got the job… being the whisper. I SO resonant with that paragraph. Anyway-I’m glad you continued ❤️
Nice
Go ahead. At least you wrote a good article. 🙌
Do not give up on the dream. Or even the government. The DOGEing will pass and history will not be kind to the RIFers! 'Talent is long patience.' - Guy de Maupassant
Very good work, congrats 😊👏
Excellent story
S.J., congratulations on your top story! I found writing and Vocal in 2020, too, after having major surgery right before the pandemic. Keep writing and live your dream. Your story is inspiring!
Yeah, those DOGE baby hackers - an abomination - I'm a retired Fed with years in HR and IT Security. So glad I retired years ago - they are doing all they can to make it uncomfortable and hostile. Daughter and friends got it too. I guess brighter horizons are waiting but it sucks they way they did this. Congrats on your Top Story!!
Excellent story! And I love your photo too! Congrats on TS!
I'm inspired, lady! Thanks for this
I love romantacy, I will look for more. Doge's loss is our gain.
Sorry you.got Doged, but maybe it's a blessing in disguise. Your heart seems.to.want to write, so write. You can do this. I joined Vocal back in 2020/21 and since then, have won challenges, moved in to other platforms, gotten a story in the latest Chicken Soup For the Soul book and published a historical fiction novel that spent some time on top of an Amazon bestseller list. Books 2 and 3 coming soon and believe me,.if I can do it, you can too. Hooray for.nudges!
Go ahead ❤️
hmmm
I’m sorry you were doged. I’m so angry and saddened by what’s happening to our country. I’m glad you found a silver lining and good luck with your writing 💜
Thank you for sharing this eloquent and insightful window into your journey! I am so sorry to hear of your being 'Doged' (I have to echo Scott in appreciation of that verbing), but am very glad you found your way here to this community of writers! Wishing you all the best on your writing journey. :)
Thank you for recognising and responding to all those nudges. Now we get to see and read your work and watch you grow. That farmer with that talking chicken sounds like a good time. I like the sound of these genres: fantasy, romantacy, and sci-fi, so I will be sticking around. That quote from Margaret Atwood is a gem, I am going to need it. I struggle a lot with doubts, it’s such an awful thing. Congratulations on your Top Story 🎊🎉🎊
Doged! You've invented a new verb. (and I hope the verb becomes part of history soon) Welcome to Vocal, a great place for fiction, essays, and the great community, For other writing, Medium is good for serious long-form non-fiction, Reedsy Prompts is a nice weekly fiction writing competition, and WattPad is an exceedingly popular site for ya/romance fiction.
Nice 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
🎉👏
congragulations on the top story
Wonderful. So good to know you have taken the opportunity to turn one of life’s curveballs into such a positive life change. Congratulations on the top story
I joined Vocal in 2020 after I was down sized after 21 years of service. Never looked back. I did work again and as you say lie happens. Congratulations on Top story and for never giving up. You have a new subscriber
Goodness, did I ghostwrite this? In all seriousness, while I am infuriated on your behalf at being Doged, I am thrilled to see you taking that leap of faith. I wish you all the luck in the world on your writing journey. "A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit."