Tip of the Day: Easy A looks like a really good movie for those of us writing books for teens! I may see it this weekend.
This week I read a post on a message board by an author who was feeling frustrated about going to work that day when she wanted to be writing.
I remember those days well. I can specifically remember sitting on the couch with my laptop, trying to catch up on e-mails and do any blogging before I left for work at 8:30. There would be moments when I'd look out the window at my backyard and think, I want to stay home! Why can't I stay home?
It's hard to believe it's been 9 months since I quit the day job.
Most days I love it. I really do. I wrote three books this year, two of which have already sold and been revised. More writing time is obviously a wonderful thing. I also love being more available to my family. I love having more time for things like exercise and occasionally, sleep! But I have to admit, there are things I miss about having a day job. (Granted, I could also do a list of things I don't miss as well, like the commute!)
Anyway, for those who are still at the day job, I thought I'd share the things I miss about working, to help you feel a little better.
1. I get lonely! I'm very much an introvert, but still - working in an office with people and having those water cooler conversations? I miss that!! Not to mention going out to lunch at least once a week.
2. It is SO easy to squander the day away. I watch a little bit of Good Morning America, but I turn the TV off at 8:00 at the latest, so it's not that. It's the dang internet! When I'm into a story I love, it's easier to ignore the lure of the internet, but right now, when I'm playing around, trying to find a story to sink my teeth into, it's hard. And I really don't like the fact that at the end of a day when I didn't do much but play on the internet, I have nothing to show for it. I'm trying to be better about getting off the computer and reading a book if I'm really struggling with writing. Because at least reading a book is time well spent.
3. The routine a day job brings. Yes, there is less time to get things done, but there is something really nice about routine. I'm trying to make my own, and I think it's getting better, but still, it's hard.
4. And of course, the regular paycheck, and the contributions on my behalf into a retirement fund.
Whatever we're doing - writing full-time, working while writing too, parenting while writing - I think we have to realize that there is no *perfect* situation. We just have to do the best with what we have, and be thankful for those good writing days, whenever they come.
Whatever your writing situation is - do you wish you could change it somehow?
~Lisa, Miss Crafting a Career
3 comments:
Did you see Easy A? How was it?
I can't believe it's been 9 months since you went FT writer! You've been so successful and productive! Congrats!!!
I went and saw the Owl movie with my kids instead. I keep hearing great things about Easy A, and really want to see it!!
Good post. It casts a brighter light on the "writing" life than the soft-edged dream I have in my head. I'm a fledging novelist who crams all of his writing time in on long weekends and vacation time (seriously, what else would I rather be doing on the beach?).
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