I love being a writer. Well, let me amend that. I love most parts about being a writer. I don’t love the rejections (and make no mistake, even published authors get them), I don’t love the glacial pace at which the sale/publication process works, and I especially don’t love the business aspects of the job–the contract negotiations, the ‘branding’ considerations, and the promotional stuff (well, okay, I might like that part better if I had more TIME!).
I do love the creativity of the job and the flexibility it gives me. I also freelance edit, and I can drop my editing or writing at any time if one of my kids wants to talk, or if I have to take somebody to the doctor. And I love that I can make myself a cup of my fave coffee anytime. And that I can work in my sweat pants. And that I don’t have to make tons of small talk or deal with office politics (both of which I had to do regularly when I worked as an in-house editor at a large publishing company–I wasn’t very good at either).
Which isn’t to say I don’t occasionally miss having co-workers around. When you’re feeling blue, the isolation only deepens the shade. And when you’ve just started a new project and have no idea if you’re on the right track (that’s, um, me right now), it can be a real drag only having yourself to answer to. Sure, I have an agent–an agent who used to be an editor, no less, and is supremely qualified to give me insightful feedback. But unfortunately, she currently has three other projects of mine in various stages sitting on her desk–or rather, in her computer’s hard drive–and I can’t, in all good conscience, saddle her with another one. I also belong to a great writer’s group, but one of our members just had a baby, another’s taking a break from writing, and the third is killing herself writing a couple of books I just happen to be freelance editing for her publisher. (Sorry about those crazy deadlines, M!)
So for now, I’m on my own…again. Definitely both a blessing and a curse. What think you, peeps?
Tags: freelancing, Writing, writing life
The only thing I love about my day job is my coworkers. I’d go nuts without them. So I hear you on the isolation of writing. Thank goodness for the strong community of writers out there to lend an ear when we’re feeling less than 100 per cent. Sorry to hear about the writing stress you’re under right now – hope it passes soon!
Even with my husband working a few feet away on his computer, I often feel that isolation. Thank goodness for teaching ballet – not only does it mean I get to be around other people of all ages but it gets me out of the apartment and moving a lot which does wonders to shake out the cobwebs when I’m feeling “stuck” writing-wise.
Yeah, Nelsa, that’s right on. I’ve worked hard to widen my author friend network this year. The big organizational meetings are not my thing, but I go to the more casual, intimate events. Leigh, too cool that you teach ballet! I was a really dedicated dancer as a child and teen. Took lessons as an adult, too, but busted my knee recently. After a year of surgery/rehab, it’s quite a bit better. Would love to get back to it. So right–exercise classes are great for a) the blues and b) socializing. Think they should be mandatory for all writers!
Love your site! The isolation is both a blessing and a curse. I find I have to work harder to connect with people. Invite people over more often – force myself out of the house. Ironically, the blogosphere has helped somewhat. Even though you’re still physically alone, you feel like you are reaching out and making contact with others.
Thanks, Julie! Yeah, I try to do all that too. (Weird how, even though you know you have to get out of the house more, the more time you spend inside it the less you *want* to go out!)
It’s hard to explain the isolation of writing to other people. Because I don’t think it’s the same as most work at home jobs. I think we’re even more in our heads because that’s the nature of getting stories down on the page… and because there are so many things in this business to make us insecure.
So, so true, Maureen–excellent points.