Writing in two directions: Alt-ac and religious studies

This morning I’m feeling a little bit torn in two directions, as the dual topics that are at the forefront in my life right now vie for attention, both elsewhere and on this blog. On the one hand, I’ve been outlining some articles I’m hoping to write about alternative academic job searching, higher ed, dual-career couples, and so on. I’ve had quite a bit of experience in this area over the last few years, and would like to share some of what I’ve gleaned.

But, on the other hand, I’ve just finished a short piece about religious “nones” which I hope will be published in an online outlet, so I’m writing about topics of long and great interest, as well. I also found myself writing up a blog post-in-progress about religious autobiographies, which are currently in rather abundant proliferation at my house. At my home are along with a crop of other books about religion or being religious, from Robert Wuthnow’s The God Problem: Expressing Faith and Being Reasonable, as well as Susan Katz Miller’s Being Both, about interfaith families choosing to celebrate both religions.

I am well aware that most of you interested in the former topic — alternative academics — are probably not so interested in the religious studies half of things. I’m not sure what to do about that schizophrenia in my writing topics except to keep living into it, and hope that if you are interested in one, you’ll stop by for that, and not hold the other against me!