After losing job, Seattle woman finds new role as author

SEATTLE -- For most authors, writing is a full time job. But for Ballard's Sheila Boddy it was the loss of her job that not only gave her the time to write, but the subject matter for a book she has titled "Powerful Unemployment."

"Its a practical and innovative guide for staying motivated while you are unemployed to help you make the most of your situation and move on to your next great opportunity," said Boddy, who was laid off from her job as a technical writer in December.

"I loved my job and I loved my coworkers and it really took me by surprise," Boddy explained.

But as she rode the bus home that afternoon, facing an uncertain future, she says she began to feel a sense of peace.

"I thought 'ok this is going to be a powerful experience and I'm going to turn this into an opportunity.'"

But what kind of opportunity she didn't know.

Boddy began right away looking for a job, but says it was tough. She didn't have a routine and she felt defeated just trying to stay focused.

Slowly she began clearing away space in her basement for an office. From there she started developing a daily schedule that included job hunting, family time and exercise. It was during a run that the idea of writing about her experience first struck.

"I was job hunting, so it was perfect fodder for a book," said Boddy.

Initially she began to write a how-to-guide, but then someone asked why she wasn't writing about her own personal experience.

"I was living this, so I could really write about this in a real way," said Boddy.

So that's what she did. First she developed a structure based on the lessons she had learned, then laid out the chapters and really began to write. The story came quickly, soon she was sending it out for revision and comment.

"I have never been so busy in my life," said Boddy. "Because here I am looking for a job and here I am writing about the experience."

Knowing she wanted the book on the market sooner rather than later she chose to self publish using internet resources.

Now her book "Powerful Unemployment" is available on Amazon.com and at Elliot Bay Book Company.

While Boddy says she hasn't found a new job yet, she does have a new possibility in becoming an author.

"I'm considering a second book."

Boddy is holding a book launch party at Ballard Loft Monday August 10th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and the public is invited.