Writers generally have one of two dilemmas. They can’t find the time or inclination to work the number of hours they must in order to make a living or they can’t stop writing.
The former writer isn’t very well disciplined. He isn’t motivated to put in the time it takes to create success. Perhaps he doesn’t actually enjoy the process of writing; he does it because he thinks it is a money-making proposition. Or, maybe he just isn’t a self-starter and finds it difficult to come up with topics to write about. You’ll find this writer doing more talking about writing than actual writing work.
The other writer has trouble taking breaks. She knows that the more time she puts in, most likely, the better results she’ll experience—bigger paychecks, more exposure and name recognition, for example.
We’ve talked about setting goals, disciplining oneself to write, creating schedules, using a bribery/rewards system, relying on “buddies” to help establish a good routine and so forth. But what about those of you who have the other problem—those who can’t seem to stop writing?
I tend to be in that category—although, I’m getting better. I have established a fairly solid work schedule. I start working around 5 every morning (pretty much 7 days a week) and I generally leave my office for the last time each day around 3 or 4 in the afternoon. One or two days a week (generally on weekends), I’ll handle household chores, gardening tasks or work on a creative project for a few hours.
I take days off occasionally when there is a family outing planned with my grown daughters, my mother, my adult grandchildren and/or friends, for example. I accept luncheon invitations every few weeks or so. I get out and walk for an hour every day. And I take an occasional trip. I’d say that I happily put in a 50 hour week. And I have been supporting myself through my writing for the past 20 years or so. But no longer do I fret and beat myself up when I take time away from work.
If you are trying to make a living through your writing, be kind to yourself.
• Give yourself much-deserved breaks, otherwise it will show up negatively in your work—possibly in the way you relate to editors or clients.
• Vary your writing-related activities so you aren’t likely to suffer burnout.
• Change your work environment from time to time—discuss a project with a client over lunch along the seashore, do a book signing in another state, attend or be a presenter at a writers’ conference on the other side of the U.S.
• Make your office space more pleasant. Bring in bouquets of flowers, hang your own amazing photographs, plaster the walls with your awards and photos of your loved ones or decorate using your favorite art, colors or subject. This might be wild animals, collies, airplanes, roses, horses, architecture or tractors, for example.
• Recognize the signs of burnout and take steps to ward it off—take a walk or a hike, go to a local coffee shop and chat with the locals, take a yoga class 3 times a week or plant a garden and tend it regularly.
If you are a serious writer or author who is bent on using your skills to earn a living or supplement your income, it’s going to take more than talent. You’re going to need a measure of organizational savvy, the ability to pace yourself, energy, a sense of stick-to-itiveness and a huge helping of patience along with an understanding of your physical, emotional and mental requirements and the courage and determination to honor these.
Few people realize what it actually takes to be a full-time writer. And that’s generally because they don’t view writing as a business. Anyone who goes into business, in order to succeed, must be either multi-talented in handling all of the aspects of the business (bookkeeping, customer service, manufacturing, sales, research, dealing with sales reps, etc.), or they need to hire competent employees. A writing business has similar requirements. In order to succeed, one must be able to write, have a good work ethic, deal effectively with people, be able to meet deadlines, understand something about and be willing to keep accurate records and know how to pace him/herself, for example.
Are you running a business related to writing or publishing? Or are you interested in starting such a business? Just as you would with any business you were contemplating, be sure that you look beyond the fun aspect of writing, into the comprehensive business aspects of a writing or publishing business. It takes more than an interest in or talent for writing—much more. That’s why I also urge you to read my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html