The Write Thing - A Peek at The Writer's Life

Ever wonder what a writer’s life is like? Think it’s cool lunches, easy hours, write in your PJ’s time? Work when you want, lounge when you want? Wait for inspiration to strike? Yeah, well, maybe for some rare creatures out there, though I doubt even that. 

But, despite deadlines (self-imposed and otherwise), deadly story lines that won’t work out and a host of other problems peculiar only to writers, it’s a great life for me. And when the budget allows I do treat myself well. That, along with a wonderful partner who’s income is admittedly the bigger share we were able to head out to DisneyWorld for a fun week. 

The appeal of roller coasters and great food (not at the same time), amazing flowers and more great food (at the same time), whirling teacups and great food (not at the same time) combined with boat rides and hanging out at the pool in beautiful sunny weather was just too much to pass up.  I disconnected from my computer and electronics entirely and since I don’t have a smart phone, couldn’t even use that to hit the web or send emails. I took along my Kindle for reading and walked miles each day. 

Ah, bliss. No outside connections to worry about. No looming deadline (because I ran myself silly before I went to get things in order). No colleague asking me if I can read and evaluate another writer’s novel. No editing waiting for me on my desk. The week went by far too quickly. 

And then we were home. Time to plug back in. How much could have happened in a week? Well, there is that email requesting a read and eval of a novel. Then there is the meeting I need to have with a person I’m partnering with on a new graphic novel project, the romance novel more than three-quarters done that I keep getting side-tracked from finishing and lots of tweets, facebook posts and emails to catch up on along with promotion projects for my books like Stormrider, Cloud Dancer, Hawke’s Indians, The Guardian and others. Did I mention Pinterest? Yes, all of that for both business and pleasure. 

There’s a lot more these days to being a writer than sitting in front of a keyboard and watching the words travel across the screen like ants. Some of the promotional stuff can be hired out if budget allows, but a lot more falls on the writer than ever before. With writing and indie publishing and everything that goes with it there’s rarely a spare minute in my day. 

But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Writer Unchained – Vacation time

I, a full-time writer, just got back from vacation, yes a real vacation; got on a plane, flew across the country, landed in Florida and had a blast.

Why am I telling you, my faithful readers this?

Because while on this wonderful trip, and it was a blow-out in Disney World, I couldn’t help remembering how many times I’ve beaten that old drum, how many times I’ve mentioned, tweeted, blogged about the fact that writers need a break.

It’s extremely easy to fall into a locked in habit of writing every spare minute, pushing hard, working toward that goal, believing it’s the only way to get there. There was a time in my life when I did the same thing, thought the same way. I pushed every spare minute, wrote every time I had time off from what was then a full-time job. Put everything on hold but the writing.

I don’t regret it, BUT, looking back, knowing the things I know now, I wonder (no scratch that, I’m pretty sure) I would have gotten to where I wanted to be a little faster, with a little less stress and a lot more fun if I’d given myself permission to take a real day off, to take a real vacation.

So I’m here to tell you, the voice of experience, back off a bit you’re a writer; there’s more to life than what’s on your computer screen even if most everyone who’s reading your stuff is reading it on Kindle, Smashwords or Nook.

That doesn’t mean you should go into extravagant debt to go on a first-class, over-the-top vacation, but it does mean, within your means, you need to take a break. Hopefully frequent day breaks and when you can manage it, longer ones. This last vacation for me was about eight days. If I hadn’t been able to swing the expense I would have taken the time off writing and working just the same, disconnected from electronics (save a single cell phone I turned on twice a day to check for emergencies, of which there were none) and spent time locally, just walking around, maybe taking in some movies and eating at some not good for you fast food restaurant a couple of times.

What it boils down to is it’s good to shake off the everyday. It’s good to go out and experience what’s going on in the world, to people watch, to relax, unclench and let things go. Every break refreshes the writer and the person in you. Then you can get back to work, feel good and be even more productive!

Yep, I gave up my electronics, but I held on to a small notebook, jotted a few story ideas when all that frivolity sparked my imagination and I’m ready to get back to it.

Take my advice. It’s good for you – no matter who you are, no matter what you do. Find the time, find the way to give yourself a break.