I had an email conversation with a writer friend this morning who has changed direction with her writing career—not an easy thing to do. She has been doing freelance work for years. But decided to leave it behind her and write a novel. She’s courageous, I say.
Are you a freelance writer who is suffering from burnout? Are you fed up with the stress of book promotion? I have experienced temporary bouts with burn out often over the years. Usually, I can cure it by taking time away from whatever project I’m working on at the time—spending more time gardening, doing needlework projects, walking on the beach or writing in a different vein. Soon I am eager to resume my work.
Additionally, every year or so for many years, I have reevaluated my career path and that’s when I decide to make slight adjustments (or not). It doesn’t matter what I decide—but the evaluation process is important because it forces/allows me to make a decision. Once the decision is made, whether it is to continue along the same path or make a detour, I can easily commit to it.
Finally, however, after many years of freelancing, like my friend, I suffered burnout one last time and, when I did my annual evaluation, I made new decisions and made new commitments. I’m not courageous enough to turn to novel-writing—not yet, anyway. I stayed more within my comfort zone. I turned my attention to the needs of other writers and authors by taking on more editing and consulting work, by offering online courses as a sort of mentorship program, by spending more time and energy writing books, by speaking personally to writers through conferences, etc. and, of course, running SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network).
It is difficult to decide to change your lifestyle in order to accommodate a writing career. And the shifts and transitions that occur amidst a writing career—sometimes naturally and sometimes through choices—can be tough. But, if you’ve been in this field for any length of time, you’ve probably learned that change is inevitable and usually, if we don’t fight it, a good thing.
I’d like to hear about your writing/publishing career shifts—were they by choice or circumstance? Did you allow them and navigate them gracefully or did you go kicking and screaming all the way? What were the results of your actions/decisions?
Don’t forget, I’m offering all of my online, on-demand courses—even my two new ones—at a discount during the month of June—my birthday month. Check them out at: http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm Contact Patricia Fry with your questions. PLFry620@yahoo.com