Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Winds of Change - Blog Tour Guest Post & Giveaway with author Helene Young



Winds of Change

I’ve always pursued a career. It’s been immensely rewarding, paid the bills and given purpose to my day but, as I’m fast discovering, it’s also shaped my identity to the point where change is difficult.

I started flying in 1989 and have been gainfully employed as a pilot ever since. I worked my way through Flying Instructor ratings until I could teach all levels, including other instructors. In 1997 I joined QantasLink in Cairns and became a First Office, then a Captain. Three years on I became a Training Captain, then progressed to be a Check and Training Captain.

I loved my job and enjoyed not only flying the aircraft, but also training pilots. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the understanding dawn when the pieces fall into place. I also enjoyed being able to mentor other women in what is still very much a male dominated industry, although in QantasLink 20 percent of pilots are women – a remarkable achievement against an industry standard of 5 percent.



Two years ago I was grounded because I experienced episodes of vertigo – no one wants a dizzy pilot on a flight deck…

My manager convinced me to come to Brisbane for the role of Qld Regional Flying Manager. By then we were living aboard Roobinesque, our twelve-metre catamaran, so moving was logistically easy. My mum was living independently in Brisbane, but becoming frailer so it was a simple choice to leave somewhere I loved, and our friends, to head south and look after her.

Two years on and it’s time for another change. The pain of turning up to work every day knowing I can’t fly an aircraft hasn't really lessened with time. I know it’s just a grieving process, but I miss flying and the challenges it presents.

I’ve had to acknowledge that a 26 year career in aviation means I see myself as a pilot and that’s about to stop. I’ll be a retired pilot (although I’m technically too young for that!) who used to have the best view in the world.

Luckily I’ve been building a career as an author and we always had plans to do some extended cruising. Come July this year those plans are going to become reality.

In three days time I hang up my wings and test whether writing can be my next career - it will be a little easier to let go of aviation knowing that I’m heading to something else. Whereas Capt G is very happy to be retired, (and he’s a bit young for that too…) I know that I need to have a purpose in my life. I hope that writing will give me that focus.

We’ll sail out of Brisbane and be ‘of no fixed abode.’ It’s daunting, exciting, challenging and will hopefully pay some bills (fingers crossed!) I figure since I produced a book a year for the last six years while still working full time I may be more disciplined than I think. I’d like to produce 2 books a year, one non-fiction, one fiction, but we’ll see.

I know there’s still grieving to be done. Mum’s only just slipped away and I miss her. Leaving Brisbane brings its own sorrow, but I’ll be happy to be on the water and heading north.

There’s lots of adjusting to be done for Capt G and me. No doubt there will be some negotiating required to find our space on the boat 24/7. Settling into a new rhythm that doesn’t involved putting on a uniform or going to an office sounds like a whole lot of fun, but then I may just miss the wonderful team of people I work with. 260 pilots manage to provide many laughs, even my troublesome 1 percent...

I’ll be blogging and sharing photographs on social media as we journey so I hope you’ll join Capt G, Zeus the Salty Seadog, and me as we point Roobinesque to the horizon and see where the winds of change take us. Wish us luck!

Have you had to cope with a big change in your career or in life? How did you do it? Was it hard or an easy transition? I’d love to hear your stories.

Helene





Connect with Helene Young


GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate the upcoming release of my sixth book tomorrow, 27th May, 2015, I have six prize packs to give away. Four of them are duos of SAFE HARBOUR and NORTHERN HEAT and one major prize is a complete set of my six books. For international readers there is a duo of e-books to be won.

TO ENTER: leave a comment here. Share the post on social media and I’ll double your chances!


Hope to see you through May at the following blogs.
5th May:          http://bookdout.wordpress.com
7th May:          http://auslit.net
12th May:         http://www.jennjmcleod.com
14th May:         http://ausromtoday.com
19th May:         http://writenotereviews.com
28th May:         http://australianruralromance.com
31st May:          http://talkingbooksblog.net
2nd June:        Wrap up and announce the winner on my blog-
                          http://www.heleneyoung.com

Northern Heat – Release date 27th May, 2015

          
Synopsis: In steamy northern Queensland, Conor is rebuilding his shattered life. Working at Cooktown's youth centre has given him the chance to make a difference again, and the opportunity to flirt with Dr Kristy Dark. The local GP is hiding her own secrets and struggling to raise her feisty teenage daughter alone.

When a severe cyclone menaces the coast, threatening to destroy everything in its path, tensions come to a head – and the weather is not the only danger. Cut off from the world and with her life on the line, Kristy will have to summon her courage and place her trust in Conor, or they'll both lose someone they love.


Pre-order Buy Links


I loved Northern Heat, my review will be posted tomorrow (Wednesday) and I'd recommend Helene's books in a heartbeat. If you want a little taste of what you're in for check out my review of Half Moon Bay and Safe Harbour

31 comments:

  1. My career change was my choice, (sorry yours wasn't). I left a career as a legal secretary to be a stay at home mom, it was hard, but for me it was the best decision I made.

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    1. Nise' great to hear your change was for the better! Enjoy the time at home with your family and thanks for visiting!

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  2. My lifestyle changed when my husband was left disabled due to illness. It has not been an easy ride but we've both adjusted to the changes it brought.

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    1. Mystica, that must have been difficult for you, but it sounds like you've found a new road and a way to stay positive. Appreciate you sharing.

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  3. Oh, what a great guest post. I saw Helene speak in Hervey Bay last year and she was fabulous. This new episode in her life sounds very exciting.

    I made my seachange two years ago and have no regrets but am still working out what this new life looks like!

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    1. Thanks, Deborah, that's very lovely of you! I'm glad you're enjoying your sea-change in Hervey Bay - what a lovely part of Australia! Thanks for dropping by.

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  4. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful post Helene! I love seeing your photos on facebook, your travels aboard Roobinesque are amazing and I can't wait to 'join' you for more. Sorry to hear that your mum has passed away, I find being on the water very therapeutic and peaceful but I haven't done it for extended periods like you.

    Losing a child has been the most life-altering change I have ever experienced. It has shaped the person I am, what I do in life, hopes, dreams, plans. I am forever changed but richer I think.

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    1. Thanks, Teddyree, appreciate you allowing me to visit and share a little slice of my life. Being on the water is very relaxing and I know my sister enjoyed being rocked to sleep by the boat when she was home for Mum's funeral.

      I can only imagine how losing a child would alter your life. I love your bio that talks about your Angel in Heaven. I'm sure you're stronger and wiser for the challenges you've faced.

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  5. It must have been difficult to have to relinquish a job that you love before the expected time. I am amazed at your writing one book a year while working full time. Would take discipline. I haven't read any of your books, but will do in good time. I love the sound of this one.

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    1. It is tough to walk away from it knowing how much I'll miss it, Kathryn, but there are new adventures to be had on the water and with writing. I'm sure there will be more challenges and I'm sure I needed to learn something from the last couple of years. Thanks for stopping by.

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  6. About 25 years ago I had a major shift in my life. It was overwhelming at the time, but everything worked out well.

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    1. Hi Mary, a major shift would have been difficult to adapt to but it sounds like you've found the positives and moved on. Appreciate you sharing.

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  7. I can understand you missing it when you were doing it for that long, and loved it. Many sure do not love their jobs

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    1. I'm very blessed to have had 26 wonderful years, Blodeuedd. I'll miss it, but I'm looking forward to another 26 years of sailing and writing. Thanks for dropping by.

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  8. Hi Teddy! Hi Helene. Firstly, I'm so sorry about you losing your mum. That's tough. As you say, lots of changes going on at the moment, although stuff you've planned for for years. I wish you many years of wonderful sailing and brilliant stories - I've got Northern Heat on the TBR pile but I'm saving it for a day when I can curl up with it and the world won't bother me. I hate it when I can't read your books in one gulp! Looking forward to seeing what the future brings for you. As you know, I'm a devotee of your Facebook page - you post the most beautiful pictures! Congratulations on your new release! May you sell a million!

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  9. Thanks, Anna, as you say we've been planning to go sailing for some time and the winds will blow us to new and exciting shores - so many different sunrises and sunsets to post to Facebook! I hope you find a rainy day soon to curl up with Northern Heat. Thanks for swinging by to be part of the chat.

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  10. Hi Helene - I love your books and I, which I could write has beautiful, has you. I know I will not be sleeping this weekend because I will be reading your new book Northern Heat. Sorry about losing you’re mum. I lost my Mum couple of years go and I sill miss her. I gave up my job to become carer for my parents (10 years) and when they died it has been very hard to get back into the work force. I hope you and your husband enjoy a wonderful adventure on your catamaran called Roobinesque. I will follow your journey on your Facebook page.

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    1. Hi Jenny, it must have been tough but rewarding taking the time out to care for your parents and I'm sure they appreciated all that you did for them. It would be tough re-establishing yourself in the work force and moving on from your loss... I'm glad you enjoy my stories and look forward to seeing you in FB :) Thanks for stopping by to share.

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  11. What a wonderful post!! And I absolutely LOVE what you have accomplished in both your careers!! How EXCITING!!!!

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    1. Thanks, Julie, it's been a fun journey and I'm looking forward to the next one. I'll just need a box or two of tissues to get through the next three days of farewells! Thanks for being part of the blog tour.

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  12. Hi Helene. We met at Wynnum a few years back as part of the BWF. Thanks for sharing where you're at in life. It's difficult and natural to feel adrift when who you are is tied up in your identity and part of that identity is no more. On the flip side there is something so revitalising about change. It can be difficult finding your feet but in my experience you end up in a great and different place and your life is much more interesting and richer for it. All the best with the transition. I look forward to following your Facebook posts.:-)

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    1. Thanks for your lovely words, Sherryl. I'm sure the challenges will lead to new surprises and broader horizons - I just need to be embrace them :)

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  13. Helene Young has been a personal inspiration to me. We are associated but for this comment I would not like to describe that connection in concrete terms ... for me it's not necessary.

    A few years back I walked up to Helene (after being relatively acquainted), we happily chatted and talked to her about something that was important to me (and a springboard into the first steps of the pursuit of a dream).

    I am still walking my path, am learning and growing ... within my dream

    I refuse to suck up, "wet a pocket" or whatever... but ...

    Thank you for inspiring me Helene ...

    I sincerely wish Helene and Captn G the best seas and if not, a good grip on the helm during their journey.

    Kindest, Gabrielle

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    1. Gabrielle, it as a moment that was meant to be!! I know you'll go from strength to strength following your dreams. Thanks for being part of my journey :)

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  14. Wow! A pilot for 26 years, that's super fantastic. So sorry that you had to leave the job you love. But, sounds like being an author is agreeable to you based on Sheree's review of Northern Heat (which I now want to read). For me, I have been fortunate to land a job that I love and have been at it for 19 years now. But, I do look forward to the day where I can switch gears and do something else. I think it is exciting to start a new chapter in life even when you miss the old one. I hope you fully enjoy your new chapter - the journey may have lots of fun and wonderful firsts in store for you.

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    1. Thanks, Ibeeeg, it's been a fabulous career and I've loved every minute of it! But as you say, change gears and on to the next adventure. Thanks for dropping by.

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  15. I made my big shift three years ago, and still haven't quite figured out what direction I want my new life to go.

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    1. Meredith, it sounds like it's a work in progress! I hope the new direction takes shape for you soon.

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  16. I have been a nurse my entire career but have worked in various aspects of nursing. I retired early to take care of my grandsons.

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

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  17. Lag123, all the empathy and skills you've gained as a nurse must help with the care of your grandsons. I'm sure it's very rewarding for you. Thanks for commenting.

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  18. Thanks to Teddyree for hosting the NORTHERN HEAT Blog Tour! And thanks to everyone who participated. The winners have been announced and the details are up on my blog at :
    http://www.heleneyoung.com/2015/06/and-the-winners-are-2/

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