WORKING AND WRITING... CREATING A BALANCE
How often have you said "Oh, if only I didn't have to work full-time, I could write my novel... my screenplay... my play... my magazine article... my blog" and so on?
How many of you have taken time off from working full-time to do just that?
I have.
I have worked full-time most of my adult life and vented that if only I had more time to write. Well, from 2009-2011 I took two years to work part-time and write, write, write. I managed to finish a first draft on my novel From the Ground Up and write two plays Extreme Green and NetFits that were produced in NYC. I've polished up a couple of screenplays and started a new animation one.
But when you're writing (which is usually on "spec" which means for no paycheck), you spend a great deal of time worrying about making money (or not making money) instead of creating. The first year I was fine working only part-time and writing, but by the second year, I was writing less and worrying more. New York City living is not cheap, people.
I'm too young to retire. Darn it.
Now I may hit the lottery, but won't count on that.
So guess what -- I'm back to work full-time. Back to the grind. 5-6 days a week.
It's a new, crazy, stressful job in TV News in New York. NY is the number one news market in the nation. For this job, baby, you bring your A-game. I'm working with seasoned pros and the stakes are high (and the pay is nice!)... so writing goes on the back burner for now.
That's why I haven't blogged for two months. I apologize. I love writing this blog! If you notice I've posted lot until I went back to work full-time. Bummer, in the summer no less. But, I have to say it's nice to get a weekly paycheck, go to Broadway shows, out to fine restaurants and shop again online.
So I'm making time for writing where I can. TV News is my profession, but writing is my passion. Pay or no pay. Without writing in my life, I could make a million dollars a year in TV and it wouldn't matter -- I'd feel empty inside -- a void.
Life is about balance. Writing and working take balance too -- a juggling act. I'm trying to keep all the balls in the air. I drop one now and then. I'm sure you're doing the same in your life. But we try again...
Have a wonderful summer. Let's try to write between the BBQs and beach days.
Until next time.
3 comments:
I hope you get to forfill your passion soon...Yes being wealthy along with healthy would be the best...and to always have your loved ones around you for support...Actually I have a lil writers bug in me too...I wrote a childs story several years ago but it sits because I don't know how to have it illustrated and published...My nephew read it and gave me his thumbs up...well maybe someday I will see it in print:)
That is incredibly well stated. I'm going through the same thing. Worked on a TV drama as an assistant for three years, then took 2 1/2 to collect UI and write...now back to work. Squeezing in as much work with my partner as possible, and that feels good. But when I go a week without progress on writing, it is a truly awful feeling. But money is...well, necessary.
Anyway, best of luck with everything. Keep writing!
Thanks for sharing your comments. Debbie, never give up... place a local ad for an artist to illustrate your book... a student project maybe... and you can self-publish it right online. Forget about the traditional way of publishing. People will buy directly from you if they can download it to their computer, phone, e-reader. It's a whole new world for the writer to reach people.
It Could Be You, I understand what you're saying... we have to work to buy food and have housing, etc... but what gets us up in the morning is passion for something bigger than ourselves. For the writer, it's the creativity... the word... the message we want to share.
Janet
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