As a graphic design major in college, my instructors at Ricks brought up some salvation pertinent dilemmas in the design world. For instance: what is a diplomatic way to turn down an account of say.... a winery, or a lingerie designer, or a hip hop record label? Surely, I couldn't, as a Mormon in good conscience design gorgeous packaging for wine, or a kick a$# album cover for a band that swears and refers to sex.

Mormon beliefs would have impacted my career had I actually pursued it. Instead, I chose to get married and start a family.

Did your former religious beliefs have an impact on your career choice, and if so, did you abandoned said career after you flushed Joseph Smith down the loo?

Yes. This was probably the worst part of my brainwashing because I believed that people were destined to do certain work. I thought god had something for me to do, and I was waiting around for him/her/it to tell me what to do. It never came.

I have studied many things -- two of the things I most enjoyed were biology and anthropolgy (cultural and physcial), and they don't mesh well with the gospel because evolution is quiet evident.

One of the reasons why I didn't pursue a career in writing more heavily is because I knew that writing would put me on the chopping block.

I didn't want to write what I was supposed to, or how I was supposed to.

Now I'm trying to catch up in my spare time.

I had the start of a promising fiction career--and then got married, worked full-time, had some wonderful children, and did church callings, etc. I had no time to devote to fiction and poetry. In my mid 40s, I left the church. My kids are more independent--and I started writing fiction again, trying to complete a novel and short stories. I don't know if it will lead to a second career or even a viable side gig--but I feel like I've come home to myself again. I should never have stopped--but I was too damn exhausted trying to be the perfect Mormon woman and wife. Now I just concentrate on my kids, my career and my writing--on me!

I work for a man that designs game show type promotions for casinos and corporate events. Needless to say, my bishop was not too thrilled when I told him I couldn't give up my job.

Looking back on it, I am glad I kept my job.