For the past year and a half, writing has been my business, my profession. Since I retired, I've used my writing income to supplement my pension. It has helped a great deal.
However, recently, I've been noticing a great deal of stress. The sort that makes it hard to sleep, saps the joy out of life and makes you sick. Since I retired, I have no health insurance, so not getting sick is a big deal with me. Especially, since I retired early because of health issues. (Can you spell I-R-O-N-Y).
Anyway, I've been praying and I have decided to quit my job as a writer, at least temporarily. I have other writing related things going on like doing ebook formatting for a small publisher and I have several things I've written that just need editing and uploading to Kindle. And I intend to keep working on some writing projects I have. However, I am no longer going to treat it like a job or my profession.
I'm going to play the dilettante for awhile. Write when I feel like it. Wait for inspiration. Not set a schedule. Take days off. Let it become a lower priority than say time with family and friends. In other words - a hobby.
Now, if you are dependent on writing for your income, or if you are trying to make an income (part-time or full-time) or you want to be a serious writer, DON'T DO THIS!!!
I'm kind of in a creative depression right now. I think it is because I have been putting out more creative content than I've been taking in. I've been exhausting myself working or worrying when I'm not working. Trying to produce too much in too little time. I need to full up the old bucket of creativity again. And I can afford to do so. The books I have out already provide some nice residual income as do a few other sources.
Most significantly, i feel I need to devote more time to mentoring other writers, teaching my classes (where I've fallen behind), and basically helping others get into print.
This is not a "resignation", but more like a leave of absence or sabbatical. How long it will last, I do not know. Check in and maybe I'll give you some updates. Maybe I won't. Right now, I'm getting out of the front seat and letting someone else do the driving for awhile.
I hear you and BTW, 11:30 pm is awfully late to post...your plan sounds full of wisdom. Do it!
ReplyDeleteWell, I didn't realize how late it was. It gets dark now about 5. And I'm always up until 2-3 am. I'm a night person.
DeleteI'm a little confused since this post says exactly the opposite of your last one. Notice I said "a little." I certainly understand because I feel the same kind of waffling between working harder on my writing and taking time to enjoy life more. It's all too easy to get burned out on anything you pursue to excess. I hope you are able to find a balance.
ReplyDeleteNo one is more confused than I am.But it's not really contradictory except for me. When I am a professional writer, I have to keep my focus on the writing and not get sidetracked. However, when I am a retired person doing a little writing on the side, then it's different. It's like being a teacher. When I was teaching, teaching was my main thing. But when I took a sabbatical, that sabbatical project was the main thing. This is sort of like that. What ever you are doing, you have to determine what is the "main thing." Now, the "Main Thing" is helping other people improve their writing and get into print. My writing will take a back burner.
DeleteTerri, do what you must for your health. But ... I enjoy your wisdom so I hope we still have contact with you.
ReplyDeleteI'll still be around. I'll be teaching, mentoring, smashing a few icons, acting the gad fly. And I'll be writing. I'm just not pursuing it with professional zeal for awhile. I need a rest. I might do a bit more nonfiction. It's easier to write. Mostly, I need to give myself permission NOT to write if I don't feel well.
Delete"Mostly, I need to give myself permission NOT to write if I don't feel well." I think that's the key to it. Sometimes we just have to give ourselves permission to do nothing.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's a good thought. But that's why I have to "go out of business." A small business person running a one-person shop, doesn't have that option. I have to step back from professional and go to hobbyist. That's good too, but it's a different thing. Well, I have usually about 5 to 7 healthy hours a day that I have fit in everything I'm doing. That means maybe 2 to 4 hours that I can devote to writing related activities. Sometimes, I pushed beyond that, and end up paying the price the next day.
DeleteAnd then there are days when I do something like go shopping at a big-box store, and that can do me in for a couple of days. But, it can't be avoided.
I'm just shifting gears from professional to amateur. A professional pretty much has to work whether they feel like it or not. An amateur has the option of working or not working because their livelihood doesn't depend on it. I have enough residuals coming in to cover expenses. And, I have another fifteen or twenty Bible studies that are complete and just need editing. I also have another novel that just needs editing and formatting. Those don't take as much energy to do as writing. But, again it's a matter of attitude, I'm not going to feel like I have to get out those fifteen Bible studies in a certain period of time as I was thinking for some time. Writing has dropped down my list of priorities a couple of notches. But, that's below the level that I can consider it a profession.
I understand completely, Terri. I'm there, too. I took my Sabbatical last month, and took in edits while I refresh and seek the Lord's inspiration and guidance to take the next step. I figure I may as well help another struggling author while I'm waiting on the Lord. Who knows? One of those manuscripts may spur my imagination for the next best seller. LOL. (Kidding...but hopeful)
ReplyDelete