My guest today is my good friend author Carol Steward. (The photo includes her grandson–a cutie!) She shares her thoughts about balancing her day job with her creativity and writing. If you’re not a writer, you might substitute quilting or scrapbooking or painting–whatever you do as a creative outlet.
BTW, CAROL IS GIVING AWAY A FEW COPIES OF HER LATEST HEARTWARMING ROMANCE. So be sure to leave a comment.
Here’s Carol.
The first thing I was told when I sold my first book was, “Don’t quit your day job.” There have been many times in my 20 year writing career that I have been thankful I listened to that advice. And many times I’ve wondered what would have happened had I taken the other route.
Writing in addition to a “day” job has challenges, but it also has benefits. I can honestly share both, as I’ve spent most of my “writer life” with at least 2 jobs, in addition to writing. Strong? Or Crazy? You decide, I guess. Whichever you decide, I believe strong women prove there is truth to the saying, “If you want something done, give it to a busy person.” Strong women get it done!
Challenges of a day job:
Sleep – I admit, I have always been a night owl whose “normal” rest was 5 hours, so this wasn’t a problem for me until I hit a rough patch in life which caused me to love sleep – AKA, depression. You have to know your limits. You do what you have to do to survive.
Health – Direct correlation to the lack of sleep. The body needs rest to rejuvenate itself. I’m not a medical professional, so I won’t expand on this point. I will say, don’t ignore your health. One thing you don’t want to live without.
Time with loved ones – it’s a challenge, but not an insurmountable one. Choose Quality over Quantity.
Loss of creativity MAY be an issue; depends on you and your job. One of the jobs that fueled my creativity the most was delivering newspapers at 2 am. One of the most draining was data entry.
Emotional drain – giving so much to so many can catch up with you. Take care of yourself so you can be there for others.
Time away from writing -means you can’t always take a break to write down a brilliant scene. Learn to take good notes. Great ideas often come from situations you would not have encountered had it not been for your presence at your day job.
Physical activity – In my case, when I’m writing, I spend 60 – 80 hours a week in a chair. Not all day jobs are at a desk, granted, but that is something everyone must consider. I’ve tried dictating programs and standing at a computer, with some success, but nothing to make this one a “benefit.”
Benefits of a day job:
Extra demands on your time require you to “compartmentalize” your life. Set a Schedule and be realistic. At one point, I had to face that I wasn’t going to meet a deadline and took an unpaid leave from my day job to catch up. That reality check was worth the temporary loss of cold cash.
Regular paychecks. I was very close to leaving my day job when I sold 4 books in one year. I just couldn’t do it. The next year, my husband lost his job, and I thanked God for all the writers who put “don’t give up your day job” in my head.
Health and Retirement benefits – possibly both from the perspective that your day job offers these, along with the higher percentage of the cost comes out of the employer’s pocket rather than 100% from a self-employed person’s income.
Quality time rather than quantity of time with loved ones – just make sure they know you will always be there when they need them – day job or writing full-time – this is one equalizer to my argument. Even when I wasn’t under writing contracts, I can’t say that my “Quantity” time with my loved ones was any better quality than when I was writing and had “Quality” time to spend with them.
Creativity is different for everyone, and different types of jobs drain creativity or nurture creativity, so finding a way to feed your creative juices and nurture the writing is up to you. Goal, Motivation and Conflict in real life. How much do you want both careers? Make it happen.
Emotional boost from giving 100% of your gifts to the assignments God has given you – whether it’s to family, writing, day job, God or commuity. If you’re happy it’s going to be good for your health and well-being.
Scheduling writing time IS crutial to the outcome of writing. If you ‘fit it in’ when you feel like it, you’re not going to feed the creativity. I guarantee, you won’t feel like it. BICHOK is the only guarantee to writing a book. (If you’ve not heard this term before, google it. There are lots of great blogs on the topic.)
Physically, working two jobs is hard on the body. If you’re in retail and come home to write, count your blessings. Really. Whether it’s scheduling an hour for exercise, or simply taking more breaks, MOVE OFTEN. Personally, I suffer back problems, which have gotten worse the longer I work “in a chair.” If you’re young, and just entering a writing career, learn how to take care of your body, especially your back. IT WILL CATCH UP WITH YOU IF YOU DON’T.
As I have eluded to here, to maintain what little sanity I had left I had to take time off from writing. For many depressing reasons that I’ll spare you. Now my life is back on an even keel and I’m determined to get back into the writing career I loved so much. I will not be leaving my day job and I will be re-reading this list to remind myself of these lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Everyone needs a break now and then, and we must give ourselves permission to take that break. To let God heal. To refill the cup of creativity. When you do, you will reap the rewards He has for you.”–Carol
To purchase, click here. Rocky Mountain Valentine (Harlequin Heartwarming)
Blurb:
As a photojournalist, Lisa Berthoff knew better than to let her personal feelings about a subject interfere with a job. But when the subject was rugged cowboy Adam MacIntyre and his beautiful ranch, Lisa found it impossible to stay objective. Not when, for the first time, Lisa felt like she was home—on the ranch…and in Adam’s arms.
Adam knew what he wanted out of life: to live on the land of his ancestors and stay close to his family. Then along came footloose Lisa Berthoff, who was distant from her sisters and lived out of a suitcase. His siblings might have all happily marched down the aisle, but Adam wasn’t about to fall for a drifter who didn’t believe in settling down. Or was it already too late?
Carol brought up many points about balancing all the facets of her life.
Quesions:
What helps you keep your life in balance? Or what point do you agree morst of least with Carol on? Leave a comment and be entered into the multiple drawing.–Lyn
Send to Kindle
hello!,I love your writing so so much! share we keep in touch extra about your post on AOL? I need an expert on this house to resolve my problem. May be that’s you! Taking a look ahead to look you.
I keep my perspective by just looking around me and finding others a lot worse than my plight.
Thank you for your generosity.
So true. It’s far too easy to get pulled down. I married an optimist who helps me keep my perspective. Better to laugh than cry!
God bless!
To be honest, I am still trying to figure out how to balance everything! Family is so important me, and they are what keep me grounded as well. No matter how hectic life gets I always try my hardest to find some “me” time, even if it’s just spending a few minutes enjoying a cup of coffee. I have to agree with Carol that everyone needs a break!
Just about the time I think I have it all balanced out, something changes. It keeps life interesting an keeps me on my toes.
Keep up the “me” time, Kari!
Great advice, I especially agree with breaks & take care physicaly. I have back problems also, mostly when I sit.
I agree with being creative in many different ways. Try new things. I just started drawing, a talent I didn’t even know I had.
Thanks for having the fun giveaway.
My daughter just taught me how to knit. My Mom was a knitter, but I never sat still long enough to learn when she was alive. It’s been lots of fun!
I am always looking forward to a good, clean love story to read. I would love to read your book.
The MacIntyre Brides includes Mended Hearts, Alex’s Choice and Rocky Mountain Valentine. All are sweet romances about 3 sisters who fall in love with 3 brothers. They’re lots of fun. Best of luck! I think Lyn will be drawing names this weekend.
I am attending the university, have three boys ages 1, 8 & 10, a husband who works long hours and going to school also. I also try to trade babysitting with others. My two sons are in scouts and I help them earn their badges.
I have to schedule everything or all my balls in the air will fall.
Would like to win.
Suzanne, those days seem like just yesterday. I used to have everything on one calendar and sticky notes all over the kitchen. What a boring kitchen I have now. I know you don’t believe how fast it really goes, but trust me, you will miss these crazy days in about 10 years! Enjoy while you have them all under your wing.
I love the backdrop of your book cover. I have not had the pleasure of reading your books so I am looking forward to reading your story.
It looks like the Tetons, which I love. It was supposed to be Colorado, but who can argue with this beauty?
I like this post and I really need to hear this. Lately, my life has been chaotic with applying for scholarships and all my homework. I never seemed to be able to balance all of it, but this was encouraging. I’ve never read any of your books before I look forward to reading one in the near future
Thanks Adrianja. It is a busy time of year for students. I pray that it goes well!
I enjoyed reading your challenges.
In answer to your question…
What helps you keep your life in balance? I keep my life balanced by making time to do what I enjoy most, which is spend time with my horses. I make it a point to spend at least an hour a day just loving them. Sometimes I just groom them, sometimes I just sit out with them and read, and of course there are the best times, which are times when I ride. Ü
Or what point do you agree most or least with Carol on?
I agree most with needing to take time to exercise. It’s something I need to do more of especially having arthritis.
Cindi, I don’t have horses but I love petting my cats!
Thanks friends and fans for stopping by. Lyndee, I would love taking a pretty drive like you describe. It would be very peaceful.
Lourdes, we’re not alone with the hard setbacks these days. I’m not sure if it’s comforting to know that we’re not alone or not, but we will make the best of it and move on, right?
The rest of my dear, precious friends – I couldn’t do it without you all!
It’s nearly the end of my Monday, and I am looking forward to dinner with girlfriends tonight. That should bring some laughs!
After suffering some hard setbacks I totally agree with Carol that quality time rather than quantity of time with loved ones is crucial. Thank you glad to read more about her, I enjoy her books.
There were times when I held down a day job and turned out book after book, but Carol is right. You can easily burn out. It did, however, teach me how to manage my time! Not that I do it now!!!! Love Carol’s writing and her take on life!
Blessings,
Valerie Hansen
Carol is a multi-talented woman who certainly knows whereof she speaks. Family also helps keep me in balance. They come first always. Carol’s ‘move often’ advice is great. I like swimming and if I can squeeze some time in at the pool, I always feel rejuvenated.
Lois Richer
Great insights from Carol on how to balance life–and it’s always a balancing act, no matter what stage you’re in! Since I don’t get to see my grandkids as often as I’d like, I put everything else, including the writing, on the back burner when I’m with them.
Marta Perry
HI Carol,
I find the most rejuvenating moments to be driving along the country roads near my home. We moved here three years ago, and our house is near peaceful farmer’s fields and surprising wooded areas where hawks hunt and groundhogs and squirrels play. It’s quiet, I can think and pray and invariably my mind opens to that creative spark that urges the story twist forward.
And Lyn, I just finished Their Frontier Family. What a beautiful story and writing.
Thanks, Lyndee and I love your description of your home place.