Lately, I have written many blog posts and articles in regards to vocabulary, writing and grammar. Well, today I thought I would change things up a bit. When I am out and about at events or appointments, people usually ask about my occupation. When I mention that I am a writer, and I am in the process of publishing my next couple of books, I often get the question “So, what’s life like as a published author?”
As if my life is supposed to differ from others in a very
particular way. Occasionally my replies will include something profound such as
“It keeps me busy” or “It is a lot of hard work.” Trouble is, there is no
easy standard answer for this question. At least not one that would be short
enough for small talk. I’ve been writing for several years now, and I’ve learned a ton about the business.
Of course, there’s always more to learn! Moreover,
while I believe I have grown as a writer, there will always be room for
improvement.
On a professional level…there
are plenty of days when it seems nearly impossible to juggle my job and my
writing career. Writing a book takes
many hours and dedication. Often it takes me away from my loved ones even
longer than my daytime occupation. Most of the time I get paid much less than
you might think; I write because I love to tell a story. The few dollars I make
in royalties per book barely buys my next
cup of coffee that fuels the next chapter. Writing not a get-rich-quick scheme
or the road to instant fame…it is a labour
of love. It can take months and sometimes even years to write a book.
The thing I did not
think much about when I began to write books…it takes even longer to design the
cover artwork, edit the contents and then publish it. After that, I have to
give up even more of my precious spare time to market and promote my books.
I’ve also come to understand that it takes time to build a readership. Now you
might wonder why anyone would put themselves through all of this rigmarole!? There is something heartwarming
when a reader drops you a line to tell you how much they enjoyed your writing.
It is immensely uplifting to know when you made someone smile with your book.
When you love spinning stories, the simple process of writing is incredibly
satisfying.
On a personal note…writing
has turned into something more for me than just a hobby. Even though it is not
my primary business, it is indeed evolving into such. There are days when I cannot spend tremendous amounts of time with
family and friends or shower my furry children with a lot of attention. Of course,
there's always time for a quick belly rub! Or
keep my home as clean and organized as I would like it to be, much to my
dismay. It drives me crazy when my home is not spit-spot! However, at the end of the day it makes me
happy to see all those words that I poured onto a piece of paper or more
precisely into a word document.
So, what is my life as a writer like? I might not be famous, nor has it made me rich (at least, not
yet!), but it makes me happy. Moreover, while
there are no crowds waiting for my autographs, I feel blessed to have this
crazy, fulfilling writer's life!
To my fellow writers…is
writing life what you expected? To my
readers…are you surprised by any of this or did you think it would be more
glamorous?
Good post. Might I suggest you increase the contrast of the font, it's a bit hard to read with my old eyes. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! Sorry about the font colour...I just corrected it to the colour I originally wanted. I guess, that's what happens when I post things right after I wake up. =)
DeleteNice post, writing is a tough but rewarding job. I agree about the editing process and getting the book ready for publication takes too long. I love to write but preparing the manuscript is a pain.
ReplyDeleteThank you....glad you enjoyed it! =)
DeleteI totally agree! I had a huge awakening after I published my first novel, but I plowed ahead and published a further three in quick succession, because I simply had to get them out there. The job is exhausting, demanding, but totally fulfilling, apart from the complete lack of financial reward (at present)... I continue to dream about getting my 'big break with the big 6,' and all the fame and fortune that comes with it!
ReplyDeleteNope not what I expected. It's a lonely journey up a winding torturous path. Yet, the end result is amazingly breathtaking. Sorta like having a baby just takes longer :)
ReplyDeleteI have worked as a freelance writer for years now..websites, news articles, marketing articles. But, fiction is my dream and I just finished my first novel. I have queried a number of agents, but the statistics have scared me and discouraged me from thinking publishing that route will happen. What self-publishing route did you pursue? I have been hesitant to pursue this option. I am also a military wife. Any direction or advice would be greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteHello Karri, it's always a pleasure to hear from a fellow military spouse! So far, I have utilized CreateSpace, KDP and Blurb to publish my books, mostly because they are fairly easy to use. You don't have to be a tech genius to upload your manuscript and create your cover. No matter which path you choose for your writings (traditional or self-publishing), once you make that decision, just move forward. See where it takes you. You can always re-evaluate and change your route. Happy Writing!
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