Okay, so I had set a rough goal of June to August for the completion of my next novel.
Methinks I bit off more than I can chew. For one, I started working on two novels at once. While wildly amusing and entertaining, it nonetheless put me far behind schedule. Instead of being 2/3 done with one book, I'm 1/3 done with two.
Ouch.
Add to that the 2.5 kids (one on the way in September), chores, job, etc... etc... etc... and it's tough for me to even squeak out an hour a night. And it's not avoidance - any time I manage to sit down I can dive in and re-populate the universe of characters and plotlines with ease. Writing comes naturally. It's what I love to do. So why am I having such a hard time doing it?
As is often the case, I'm sure, I sacrifice a little of my professional career to write. I'm sure joining this organization or that club would really help me along in my current career. People constantly ask me to freelance or join their professional organization... and I decline.
Which always begs the question... Is it worth it? Am I wasting my time?
Which always begs the answer... No. I love to write. I'd do it for nothing. Writing brings me entertainment, peace, and balance.
So the question is this: Do you have any hobbies that you'd like to do professionally? Have you crossed the boundary from hobbiest to professional? Any hindsight to share?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
John, i can totally appreciate your comments on this topic. I too am a writer/photographer/artist. I understand your desire and need to create but completely get your lack of time to do so....that is the case so many times. Unlike you, I do all of this stuff without the luxury of getting paid for it, so i haven't jumped from hobby to professional by any means. Yet that doesn't diminish my need to express myself any less but does make it easier to "put it on the back burner." The love to create something out of nothing is what drives people like us (the artistic type, for lack of a better description), whether it is writing novels, songs, poems, screenplays, taking that special photograph or making a delicious meal. It doesn't matter what you create, it's the process that is important......it's an urge that is only understood and appreciated by peers with the same calling. There are stories in each of us that grow and ripen with each passing season until they are soaked up with all the goodness of life experiences and ready to be harvested by putting them to paper. What I'm getting at is this; don't distress over the fact that you don't have "x" amount of time to write each day, think of it as your story forming itself in the depths of your mind until it is ready to be picked....of course deadlines do make this difficult, but trust in the process.
ReplyDeleteKeep working John. Although you might want to restructure the time you spend on your projects. I would find it difficult to work on two books at once. I can write and do editing at the same time - they don't overlap and take different "muscles." If I were you, I'd choose one book project and focus on it. But -- I am not you. So, you will figure out what works for you, I'm sure!
ReplyDeleteHelen
Straight From Hel
I went from a hobby artist and hobby writer to professional artist and professional writer - neither is easy and doing both at the same time is HARD! Fortunately, my kids were nearly grown when I started writing and sculpting, so I had more time than I would have with young kids underfoot. Now that my nest is empty, my time is my own - well,except for cleaning stalls, riding my horse, hauling said horse to riding lessons (my daughter turned riding for fun into a business and is now a dressage trainer - that hobby-to-business gene seems to run in the family), taking care of hubby, home, farm, church obligations, friends, etc. I don't sit still a lot! I have two novels in process now, one finished and being edited and revised, the other in first draft. I'm also finishing a sculpture and starting a new commissioned one. You do what you have to do and you refuse to do that "one thing extra" that will burn you out and take away the joy of what you're doing. So sometimes I'm writing, not sculpting, and other times I'm sculpting and not writing. And sometimes I'm riding my horse and reading and neither writing nor sculpting. That helps to keep my muse happy. Good luck with your writing!
ReplyDeleteLynda Sappington
www.LyndaSappington.com
Thanks for the great thoughts. McKenzie - you get it! I love the creative process. Writing for me is a release. I play piano and drums as well, and it allows me to escape into another world and tell its story. I just wish I would have listened to my muse earlier in life.
ReplyDeleteHelen, you are very right. While it was fun, it did take a lot out of me, and set me pretty far behind schedule. So, I have indeed chosen one story, and have dedicated all my time to it - and will continue to do so until it's completed.
Abraxan, I can tell you have a good balance, and I certainly envy that. Some nights, my brain is completely exhausted, and I face the struggle of whether or not to write. I don't want something sub-par to come out, but on the other hand I don't want to waste an opportunity to write. I generally err on the side of going with a little change in scenery. I often find that a little break will help out - I'll find a new story idea or angle and will actually benefit from it.
I envy your ability to sit down and dive right in! Maybe because I don't have the same time restraints, I sometimes find it difficult to get into the 'zone.'
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe that anything that brings entertainment, peace, and balance into your life is never a waste of time!
i so get this. i have 2 yr old twin boys. love your profile pic,
ReplyDeletegreat blog you have here. i'm following you now. you should pop on over and check out/follow mine. i have all things books...
nice to see you.
xo