The Author's Life
Last week, a friend approached me with a writing project that was very intriguing. Was I interested? Heck, yeah. But right on the heels of this offer, two other people contacted me and asked if I would guest blog on their respective sites.
No problem, I said. Those gigs aren't hard. And it's good networking. Then came another request, and then another. Would I like in on a super sekrit group project? Would I review such and such a book? Would I participate in a giveaway? Would I be interested in judging a contest?
Whoa. Stop the train. There comes a time when you are stretched so thin, you have to say, enough. No more projects, reviews, judging, guest posts, contests, and social media. No more herding cats through a gauntlet of drooling rottweilers.
I have a stack of books on my nightstand that I haven't touched in three months. I distract my husband with X-box games so he doesn't feel so neglected. There are enough fallen leaves on my six acres to start a forest fire. And I can't remember the last time I actually did something just for myself.
For the past three years, my whole life has centered around some aspect in publishing. I'm not complaining. I knew what I was getting into. But it's a little like a Ponzi scheme. The more you invest in your career, the more you have to keep supporting it by means of networking, marketing, reading, editing, and yet more writing.
Those of you who have books on the market know what I'm talking about. The cycle is endless.
Those of you who have books on the market know what I'm talking about. The cycle is endless.
A friend of mine said it best when she said: If you CAN stop writing...stop.
Easier said than done.
Once you get on this slippery slope, you can't take a break. You can't say: Oh, I'm tired, bored, busy, etc. I'll do the writing, editing, marketing stuff later.
It doesn't work that way.
It doesn't work that way.
If you do take a breather, you risk having to start all over again. I've seen it happen to several authors who took a break to have babies, get married, get divorced, or have a life. Some of them haven't made it back yet. Some never will.
The longer you stay out of the game, the harder it is to get back in. So you push forward, even if it's little baby steps.
It's especially hard around the holidays when we all have a million more things to do than usual.
The longer you stay out of the game, the harder it is to get back in. So you push forward, even if it's little baby steps.
It's especially hard around the holidays when we all have a million more things to do than usual.
How about you? Do you ever think about how much time you've invested in your career? Does it ever intimidate you?
Comments
I cannot answer your question as I didn't take up writing as a career, but generally I would say "don't let the passion die"
Yes, it is sometimes too much fi I think about how much I do sometimes with writing and promotion. It's crazy. And as much as I like to say yes to different projects, sometimes I have to say no too.(Especially to doing reviews--as much I want to)
Best laid plans and all that.
Oh...and I guess I owe you a guest post. Coming right up. :)
Ref: I took an entire day off a few weeks ago. No twitter, no facebook, no nothing. And it felt great,...
This reminds of one year when we took off to a remote beach with no phones, computers or people. It was glorious!
I'd love another vacation like that.
You do good :-)
If I stopped writing right this minute, I can say my time hadn't been wasted.
I've learned so much. Not just the mechanics of writing, but the way I see things. I'm much more observant now and that makes me a more empathetic human being.
--but it wouldn't hurt my feelings if social media went away. LOL.
I sometimes laugh at the people who think writers are artists who wax poetically and wait for the royalty checks to pour in. :grin:
Glad you could stop by!
I'm a nobody author, so I invest a lot of time into trying to expose myself to the public without getting a criminal record. After a while, you just want to throw your hands up and scream, "That's it! I'm actually going to WRITE for a change."
Having recently acquired two children, one being high-functioning special needs, really drains a lot of energy. Add to that working part-time (otherwise, my partner and I would kill each other being at home together), and trying to write, I wonder how I'll ever get anything done. I feel like I'm on some kind of spinning child's toy.
I treat writing like a job. In regular job world, people take vacations. I firmly believe vacations are important in the writing world, too, for me. I take vacations from writing, from marketing, and *gasp* from everything dealing with the entire world of authorship.
But, yeah, if anyone would like a couple of kids, I'm offering them as a discount rate. :p
Ref: ...trying to expose myself to the public without getting a criminal record.
I finally understand the phrase: He couldn't get elected dogcatcher.
Part of the problem is competition for people's time. I'm hugely honored when people take the time to comment here--let alone read my books.
Authors do some outrageous things to attract attention and it's not often pretty or even ethical.
As Mysti said above, it's all about balance. And a healthy dose of self-respect.
Ref: discount kids
Don't most parents put their kids on discount around the holidays? :grin:
I've been out of work since July and I still feel like I'm not getting enough done writing-wise. My main problem is that I spend too much time with "social networking" - blogger, facebook, etc. Balance IS key, but it can be difficult to maintain
Meghan: My 'demand' is cyclical, but this time it hasn't let up since my blog tour, so maybe I've reached more people thank I realized.
It would be interesting to figure that out.
And then I toss it toward the tv and run the other way.
This works well for dogs and men. I'm pretty sure they share a chromosome or something.
When I think about the time I've invested with so far very little to show for it, I definitely feel...discouraged at times. But it is worth it. The key is knowing when to pull away from the writing and for how long. For me, when the tantrums start, I know I need a break. Er, my tantrums, not the kids'. However, I can usually only manage a day away. It is my job, so in order to pay the bills, I can't really stay away too long.
At this time of year especially, it's all a bit overwhelming.
You're right, though. You can't quit. You have to find a balance. Um, if you happen to stumble across it, please let me know. :)
Ref: tantrums
You didn't have to explain. I KNEW you were talking about your tantrums. LOL!
It is tough. But it's also rewarding. I think it's what keeps me coming back.
I am getting to that point where i need to sit down and develop a blogging strategy or else!
I still find it hard to blive when pple email me for stuff.
I do keep hundreds of people on my reader though, so I'm usually not too behind on what's happening in their lives.
Despite the demand on my time, what's important to me is to keep a relationship with readers and peers. We all need an audience and I want to make sure I deliver.
I bow to the mistress. :)
It should only take a few months to set up....
Great word verification: 'playwoos' 8-)