I first became serious about being a writer three years ago. Although I
began writing decades ago, it wasn't until 2009 that I actually stopped
thinking of writing in the "someday" category, and got more serious
about the craft. I sought out and signed up with a couple writer groups
in the San Francisco Bay area. I actually finished the first draft of my
young adult novel, which was HUGE for me, since I'd only ever gotten to page 30
in anything I'd written before. I even began to take classes, and allowed
my writing to be critiqued by people who didn't know me; VERY scary for someone
who's overly-harsh on herself, and doesn't take criticism (even the
constructive kind) very well.
The problem is that writing isn't the only career I want to do pursue.
I also have aspirations of being a voice-over actor, a photographer, and a
part-time massage therapist. I had it in my head that I could do each of
these careers--since many of them seem to take up only part of my time--and
their combined salaries would be equivalent to what I make now in my day
job. Okay . . . if I'm gonna be honest, I should admit that I was hoping
they'd bring in even more money than I make now.
For some of you, writing may be the one and only thing you've ever wanted to
do in your life. If so, congratulations, and I applaud those of you who
are able to make a decent living at it. But for me, the thought of doing
only one job for the rest of my life bores me out of my mind. Or, maybe
it's just that I'm afraid that I might
find it dull after a while. Even in a career where the scenery changes
from book to book, I do worry that it wouldn't be enough to entertain me over
the span of my life. Maybe that makes me on the fringe of being ADD or
ADHD, but I personally think it's part of being a Gemini; we need multiple
things going on, or we go a little cuckoo.
I do realize that I'm the one overwhelming myself by trying to have multiple
careers, but even without all of the other jobs, I'm sure I'd be overwhelmed
with all there is to keep up on in the writing world.
For instance, I want to keep in contact with the people in my writing
groups. Their experiences can help me wade through the waters from
amateur status to successful, published author. Then there are the
classes necessary for a newbie like me to hone her craft. There are blogs
to read: blogs from colleagues, and blogs from experienced authors with nuggets
of wisdom to impart. Not to mention the actual time of butt in chair and
fingers on keyboard. Sometimes I feel like I don't have enough time for
the latter (and most important) aspect, because I'm trying to keep up with all
the other ones.
Since I'm a novice at the other careers I'm working to get off the ground
(except for massage, I have my license in that already), those same needs apply
to each craft. I've often thought I should focus on just one, until I've
got a good handle on it, and then start learning another one, but the
question is which one to choose? If I focus on, say, voice overs, it'll
take me even longer to get my writing career off the ground. But I'm
starting to feel that dividing my time and energy between the four of them is
taking me just as long.
I know I'm not the only author who's complained about trying to keep up with
everything, and I'm certainly not the only blogger who's ever done so. I
guess I'm just feeling extra overwhelmed at the moment, and needed to vent.
Thanks for reading.
Taking criticism is one of those skills a writer needs to develop along with how to plot and invent interesting characters. Fifteen years into it I am still learning that skill. Hang in.
ReplyDeleteAlyx, I think writers need to broaden there life experiences not narrow them.
ReplyDeleteMy creative outlet while raising kids was painting and later I added crafts to it. When I finally went to college and started teaching, there was no time to pursue my painting. But while in college, I discovered a love of writing. True, it was mostly poetry and papers for classes, but it stuck with me. I was still teaching when I started writing my first mystery, and I'm still hooked. Yes, it was hard to find time to write while teaching, but I wasn't involved in social media, either, until after I retired. Like KB says, "Hang in there."
Writing is a marathon, not a sprint. The interesting thing for me is that there is always more to learn, more skills to acquire and research to do that leads in nre directions.
ReplyDeleteI don't know of anyone who doesn't mult-task, Alyx. You do what you can when you can. If an opportunity arises in one area, do it. Yes, it is at the expense of another, but don't pass up on opportunities that come your way. I think that things happen for a reason and one thing leads to another. Learning to relax about it is the issue. Maybe get a massage yourself and destress. It can't all be a priority all the time. Do one productive task per day in whatever feels right, and relax.
ReplyDeleteThanks, KB. My skin is toughening up a bit, but it still stings every once in a while.
ReplyDeleteVery good advice, Gloria & EB. Like I said, I know writers who do WAY more than I do...I just need to learn to keep at it, & be patient with the process, like Warren said.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Gloria, that social media makes it a little tougher, but I seem to be weaning myself off of FB right now, which is a good thing.