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The first Wednesday of every month is the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Posts go up the 1st Wednesday of every month. Check it out here and join if you need support with your writing. Don't forget to stop by and say hi to the co-hosts: Jemima Pett, Beth Camp, Beverly Stowe McClure, and Gwen Gardner!
October 7 question - When you think of the term working writer, what does that look like to you? What do you think it is supposed to look like? Do you see yourself as a working writer or aspiring or hobbyist, and if latter two, what does that look like? I'm going to skip this month's question. What something looks like isn't something I think about. Despite being creative and having an overactive imagination, I struggle to imagine how I think something should be. Maybe it's because I know reality versus fantasy never match up so it feels like a waste of time. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ This month, my insecurity isn't too bad. I went back to work as a baker at my old job. When I last worked there, it was as a cook and it was a stressful job. Baking is much more laid back. I can set my own hours, and even leave and come back if needed. When I get home, I don't feel like I need a nap and I have be able to work on some writing. Despite that, I am a little fearful that as time goes on, the job will wear me out and my writing will suffer. The nice thing about not working was I could focus on writing. The downside to that was my book sales are small so I didn't have steady money to put toward book marketing. The job will allow me to do that. I'm going to have to figure out the balance between work and writing. The only way to do that is trial and error. Do you have to balance writing and a day job? How do you juggle both without wearing yourself out?
21 Comments
10/5/2020 11:15:09 am
Just do your best to pace yourself so you don't get run down.
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10/5/2020 04:27:54 pm
You’re right, of course—these terms are pretty meaningless, and either you’re writing or you’re not. Great that you are able to return to work and not wholly destroy your ability to write.
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Great that you've got back to work and can still find the time and energy to write. I struggle a lot with that, especially since a lot of my job is writing. Early mornings and weekends are about the only time I get and it isn't really enough. But I do take the odd day or two off here and there to dig deep into the writing sometimes.
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10/6/2020 04:38:31 pm
I am very, very bad at balancing writing time with work. Work leaves me so exhausted that it's hard to spend time writing.
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10/7/2020 06:33:13 am
Balance, what's that? I got 6 hours sleep last night, which is GREAT for me.
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10/7/2020 07:15:25 am
You'll figure it out, no doubt here. And yum on the baking! :)
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10/7/2020 07:42:35 am
Balance is hard! Part of why I stored up my stories so I could get the series off to a good start without a ton of panic. Having said that, the panic will now ensue...
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10/7/2020 09:06:00 am
I'm not currently balancing writing and a day job, but I did it for a long time. Finding the balance is hard and requires constant adjustment.
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C. Lee McKenzie
10/7/2020 09:17:11 am
In one way being able to go back to work is enviable. So many people aren't and they're suffering. Hope you can find the balance between your job and. your writing.
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Anna
10/7/2020 10:47:07 am
If it gets to be too much, ask your boss if you can job share. It sounds great so far though. :-)
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10/7/2020 11:11:52 am
I hope you don't wear yourself out! I actually get more writing done when I work because I write on my lunch hour. When I'm home, I have the guilt of chores or family pressing in on me and I can't focus on what I want to. I hope you find being a baker lends itself positively toward your goals!
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10/7/2020 12:52:06 pm
Yes. I have two part-time jobs and my writing. It's not ideal, but I try to imagine there are possibilities in the jobs - what am I learning about people? Are there are any stories there? But yes, some days I get overwhelmed. Balance is stuff, but I think it's possible.
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I have been very "lucky" and not missed a single day of work throughout these difficult times. I work in childcare, so we were essential from the beginning. I will not take this for granted because it has brought my family continued security, but a few weeks off could have had its own benefits...just sayin'. (Or even not constant overtime!) I worked in a bakery for a while, as the cake decorator. Fun atmosphere for sure.
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10/7/2020 05:35:57 pm
I'm thinking the balance will shift around a lot. Just remember to be kind to yourself and don't put on too much pressure ie "I should be writing when all I want to do is sleep." It's ok to rest and recharge.
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10/8/2020 11:32:32 pm
Up until mid-August I was balancing writing, a day job, and a volunteer job. I'd love to say I was making it work, but I was so exhausted at the end of a work shift that I often fell asleep on the couch instead of getting any writing done. Baking can definitely be physically exhausting. I hope it allows you enough creative energy for writing later in the day! But creating other types of art (such as whatever you're baking) can often help influence writing energy, so I hope it works out that way for you.
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stephen Tremp
10/9/2020 03:23:21 pm
Hi Patricia, yes it's all about balance and I have to place sleep in as well. Gotta have a good night sleep and occasional nap to stay balanced.
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Cathrina
10/9/2020 04:29:46 pm
I can't imagine trying to balance working and writing. I tried writing years ago when I had 5 small children, and it didn't work. Not until they were in their teens did I find a couple of hours of free time.
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10/9/2020 05:36:31 pm
That balance is the perennial question, isn't it? We need some financial security. We need some interaction with the world to stay grounded. But we also need time and space to write. Here's hoping this gives you what you need without making the writing part harder!
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10/26/2020 09:33:01 am
Baking is far more fun than cooking, that's for sure. It is so much more creative and a better outlet. I find balancing can be very difficult, especially when I have too much time on my hands. Yes, you read correctly. When I am busy with my "day" job, I find myself so much more "alive," and I tend to write so much more. When I am between freelance jobs, my home remodeling projects overwhelm me and I find I have very little energy to write. Restoring an historic home is quite a chore and takes up so much of my free time.
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