Like most authors, I work a day job.
It’s not terrible, but it’s not always fun. I’m an accounting clerk/scanner for a large food service company (ie restaurant chain). In the course of a day, I work with accounting and office types (is there any other kind?). They sometimes lack creativity. I mean, not dissing anyone here, but they really don't get anything not associated with numbers. I call them my “work mates” after all, I am with them more than my little hubby. I do a ton of things for them, and with them, and if I am lucky, on some days, the time passes quickly. Ahem. Mostly, it doesn’t. Mostly I wanna be writing and sunning myself on a tropical isle. Oh, if only.
Anyway, most writers run into this situation (work life versus home i.e. writing life), and it’s something to consider, especially if you want to go this thing whole-hog. You know, if you are working on a writing “career”. Heck, quitting the day job, you know what I mean.
You will either be so good at what you do, or so weighed with commitments that you don’t know how you will ever manage to keep working to make that paycheck. Because it ain’t all about the writing sometimes. There is the promo stuff, too. Websites, blogs, and social sites will eat your time away, too. Who can afford to quit a good paying job to write full-time? Where is the benefit package?
But my day job is killing my writing time. That’s it, folks. Bare bottom line. I used to be able to sneak in writing time at work, but that has been killed since forever ago. Scanning docs requires both hands. I actually have written entire short stories at work in the past and now wonder if I ever will be that free again. Dadgumit, if other people can look at the ‘net or play games, I can at least write, right?
I do not know if there is a way out of my certain conundrum but I hope so. I hope maybe I have enough friends and fans to buy books and get me that dream of staying at home one day. Who knows? It could happen!
So, this is my “do ya feel me?” post of the week. I know I am not alone. In fact, all my buds here at MB4 have jobs, too.
Until we all say “I quit” – I hope you have a good one. Keep writing folks!
5 comments:
I teach English, which devours loads of time. I also grade e-course work on the side, as well as serve as a member of the Village Council, plus I'm active in my church and have a wife and two daughters...and turtles ;)
I find time...actually I make time. Often only enough time to get in a few hundred words at a time, plus all of the marketing stuff.
We part-time writers fit it in where and when we can. It's the only option.
Amen, Kim and Terry. Same here. Aside from the day job, my wife and I have a chair caning business, babysit all the time, and I try to keep the house and gardens in check, plus do all the outside the home stuff since my dear one is disabled. But Terry's right - you have to make a little time every day no matter what. It's not easy! Big hugs Kim for keeping on keeping on!
When I worked full time, I gave up TV, went to bed a bit earlier than usual, and got up at 4 to write. The quiet house with no distractions made those two hours much more productive than if everyone had been up and about. That worked for me, but we all have to find our own way to squeeze it in. Good luck, and keep writing!
Ellis, that is so funny. That is EXACTLY what I do!
Aaron and Kim, I ought to start doing it again--I'm sure it would make my writing time much more effective.
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