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Woman of the Week: Doree Lewak

Role: Freelance <a href= “http://www.thepanicyears.com/”>Writer
Author of The Panic Years
Location: Manhattan, New York City

Excelle: Now that we know your job title, what more can you tell us about your job?

Doree Lewak: Untraditional as some people might think it, my work life is actually pretty structured. It all comes down to self-discipline. When some people have too much time on their hands, they actually accomplish less than they would have if they had only a fraction of the free time. Others capitalize and utilize their time well.

I set my own hours, which are pretty open-ended and pitch and write stories most of the day. After an initial adjustment from office to home, I think I’ve finally got the hang of it – and I now thrive in my newly-carved job.

WC: How would you describe your work environment?

DL: Cluttered, borderline claustrophobic, and marginally roomier than a closet – it’s my apartment. My writer’s pad is where all the action – literary and otherwise – happens. While I am a “people person” and thrive on human interaction, I know I accomplish more in my own creative confines than I would in the confines of an office.

WC: What are the strengths that you, as a woman, bring to your job?

DL: Because my voice is decidedly feminine, I think I bring a certain perspective to the table that not everyone would consider. I also think – hope – that I’m forthright, fair and honest– trademarks of a secure working woman who doesn’t feel threatened easily. I sometimes fear, however, that women are becoming increasingly competitive with each other – making for rivals, not friendships, in the workplace.

WC: How’s the landscape for professional women looking, in your opinion?

DL: I think there’s never been a better time for women in the workplace than now; and hopefully it will just get better and better. Thankfully, there’s ample opportunity for women to make major inroads in areas previously relegated to men. We’re political pundits, columnists, presidential candidates and the tastemakers for the general population. I think we’ve certainly pierced that glass ceiling and continue to strive to reach new heights.

Are you a workaholic, or can you maintain a work-life balance? How do you de-stress?

DL: As a writer, I find it really difficult to turn off the creative switch in my head during times when I really just want to clock out. My schedule is pretty much in direct contrast to most of the world’s. I sometimes start my day as most people draw theirs to a close, in that nighttime affords me the quiet and je ne sais quois of squalid late-night cable programming to fuel this creative well.

But being a writer is a huge part of my identity. I have inscrutable notes in bed from middle-of-the-night musings that quickly amass. For writers, the work day has no start or end – it’s kind of this continuum wherein you’re always in a creative mode, never turning ‘it’ off.

Anything else to share with other women out there aspiring to become successful in their careers?

DL: Tenacity and persistence have to become the hallmarks of your early career. You’ve got to get people’s ear. Always be kind and gracious to people, no matter how “lowly” they might seem now. I’ve encountered pretty sour and unsupportive bosses at various jobs who in no way tried to groom or nurture me at a tender age. I think it’s unfortunate that there’s no discernible sense of workplace community, despite how much eraser-clapping you do for the teacher. Yet it only takes that first big break to get your foot in the door – and then the merit of your work should hopefully speak for itself.

WC: What’s next on your plate?

DL: I’m working on a book project that’s close to the bone, much like the Panic Years was when I wrote it. The strategy of “write what you know” has so far served me well. You’re not fooling a reader when you write about a topic you’re ambivalent about. Your work comes alive through you – and it shows when it courses through you in a real and meaningful way. It’s only when you give of yourself in your work does it stand a chance to resonate with someone on a penetrating level. That’s when you know that it truly stems from the soul.

Do you believe women can have it all?

DL: Aha, so you save the loaded and pointed question for last. It’s funny, though, as I was contemplating this very topic the other day. I read a really lyrical and lofty verse from a great rabbi who noted how dangerous it is when we covet too much. What’s especially dangerous about it is that we can never recognize how much “too much” is. What’s good enough for us today is never good enough tomorrow. If we want one thing today, we’ll want two tomorrow. This way of thinking is actually very much aligned with the Panic Years mentality: today it’s the anxiety about getting married and tomorrow it will be the anxiety about having a baby, and so on. If you’re simply wired to “want it all,” I guarantee you’ll never get it.

Desiring things along the way, without plotting too much, is the secret to getting everything you want without over-thinking it or over-strategizing – always a surefire way to backfire.

Excelle Article: <a href= “http://excelle.monster.com/news/articles/832-the-panic-years-explained-an-interview-with-doree-lewak”>’The Panic Years’ Explained

Pick Up Doree’s new book, <a href= “http://excelle.monster.com/products/products/191-the-panic-years-a-guide-to-surviving-smug-married-friends-bad-taffeta-and-life-on-the-wrong-side-of-25-without-a-ring”>The Panic Years

Previous Professional Women of the Week:

	Ellen S. Miller
	Connie Castellano
	Anjuli Sherin

Know someone who should be the next professional Woman of the Week? Let us know: <a href= “mailto:info@excelle.com”>info@excelle.com.

Think you deserve to be featured? <a href= “http://excelle.monster.com/discussions/48-should-you-be-a-woman-of-the-week”>Join the Woman of the Week Group and go for it!

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