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How To Juggle Writing And Your Day Job (And Still Have A Life)

No matter where you are in the writing process and how many books you have written so far, I’m sure you agree with me that writing is one of the most fulfilling activities in the world (with a few frustrations every now and then). However, most authors, including me, need to divide their time among writing, their day job, friends, family, hobbies, and yes, we would also like to sleep sometimes. (Although if your best writing ideas wake you up at 3am every night, you stand no chance. Since I started writing, I’ve been building up a serious sleep deficit.)

When I was writing my newest book, Tales for Delicious Girls, I felt like I didn’t have time for anything and especially for myself. When I was working, I wanted to write, when I was writing, I wanted to spend time with my family and friends, and my beagle was getting seriously obese because long walks were something he couldn’t even dream of.

Soon I realized that I couldn’t carry on like that much longer and I needed a strict daily schedule so that I could squeeze in writing, my work and some fun too. It was not that difficult in the end and I think I managed quite well, so let me share a few tips for busy writers which I hope make your days a little bit less crazy.

1. Get your priorities straight. You’re not a superhero, you can’t do everything and you shouldn’t even try to unless you want to go insane. When you’re writing a book, it should definitely be one of your top priorities, so put it on the list. Your job is another priority because unless your name is Dan Brown, you probably need some extra income (at least until your book becomes a bestseller). Friends and family should be on the list too – for an absolutely selfish reason: You need someone who supports you when you get desperate or develop a writer’s block. Hobbies? Be realistic about them and keep just one. I suggest it’s a physical activity because the lack of it is a common issue with writers.

2. Be creative about your schedule. If you work nine to five, it’s pretty clear how much time you spend at work. If you’re a freelancer like me, your schedule is probably more unpredictable but try to be reasonable about your projects. Remember to organize your work around your writing, not vice versa. Decide to dedicate a certain amount of time to writing every day, without exception. For example, I usually write in the morning, work in the afternoon and do book marketing in the evening. When things get really busy, I get up one hour earlier in the morning to write.

3. One day for yourself, one day for your family and friends. In order to stay sane, you need time for yourself. For me it’s usually Saturday when I try not to work and not to write, unless it’s absolutely necessary (and I mean absolutely necessary), and I do things that have nothing to do with work, writing and other people. It doesn’t really matter what you do as long as it makes you happy. Go on a day trip out of town, go on a hike, get your hair done, be a couch potato, it’s up to you! Just switch off your brain and do something for yourself. When you feel relaxed and happy, you can dedicate the next day to your family and friends, which is what I do on Sundays. Have lunch at your parents’, meet friends in the afternoon, make time for all the people you love.

Putting your free time, hobbies and friends on the schedule might sound a bit weird at first, but it’s the best way to juggle writing and work and still have some fun. Ian Fleming said in 1962: “Being a comparatively successful author is a good life.” Which is very true if you know how to organize this good life of yours.

Barbora Knobova
Author
http://www.barboraknobova.com

What makes a published Author?

It’s an interesting concept, because if you read the blurb! Everyone has at least one book inside them.

If someone had asked me, five or ten years ago, “Would you/could you write a book? My immediate response would have been, no and yet with hindsight, the answer reflected the fact that no topic sprang to mind!

From my early years up to the present day, I have been an avid read of different genres, simply because life itself intrigues me, that and people.

The idea of my book came about purely by chance. My husband and I became fed up with the weather in England and decided to try out Spain, something we continue to do, for during the past three or more years we have travelled and stayed in various parts of this diverse country.

From my early years of being an asthmatic and eczema sufferer I have always tried to look for alternative and natural products, instead of taking pills from the doctor. After having two beautiful daughters the same thought would be in my mind, if there was a natural product for an ailment then I would use it!

Whilst we were staying in a beautiful mountain valley surrounded by orange groves, the thought of what I wanted sprang to mind. Writing a book on how to look good and feel great for ladies over 50. The title jumped out of my head……..Looking Good Feeling Great Ladies 50 and over and it stuck because it epitomised what I though women could aspire to with a little effort. Luckily being a hoarder, I had kept lots of pieces of research about different things from years ago and with the internet it became an ideal time to continue researching different ideas.

After about a year, the book started to take shape and within 18 months it was finished. I had no idea who to approach and decided help was needed. A book entitled Writer’s and Artists, which became my bible, pages thin with use, turning backwards and forwards, making sure I had ticked every conceivable publisher in my genre. It was a hard slog and it would have been easy to give up, but I carried on, found an agent who was prepared to market the book. My manuscript was sent to a critique for review. The completed review surpassed my greatest expectations. Next was the editing process, which was laborious, but necessary. After all, who wants to read a book with mistakes in it?

Every step of the way, people were very helpful asking different questions, what type of book cover would I like? What type of print? Did I want a watermark on each page? And on it went, until I received an email to say it was ready and a published copy was on its way to me. Walking down to the post office to collect the package, was most strange, I remember sitting on a bench outside to open the package and looking at a book, which I had written. How proud I felt at what I had accomplished by my own efforts. It was truly a surreal moment, one that I will not forget.

All I can say to unpublished authors, “Never, never, give up, on what is, ultimately your dream.”

My name is Nina Bagnall, my husband’s name is Gary and my two daughters are Anna and Katie. Most of my working life has been spent in the commercial sector.

It was time for me to walk away from that world and step into another.

Although I have many hobbies my greatest passions are cooking healthy meals and always looking for natural remedies not just for aliments but also for the whole body.

Being Asthmatic it has been necessary everyday of my life to take care of myself. If you look after your body on the inside then it follows that it will show on the outside.

Take a closer look at my book, it has been written for you! A mature woman of 50 and over, there has never been a better time to change your lifestyle than right this minute!

The book combines all my thoughts and research, which I had saved over the years.

It therefore followed a natural progression to put pen to paper in order for me to share with you, all my suggestions and options of natural remedies, healthy foods to eat and also to introduce everyone to daily exercise and relaxation.

Only three things required to enable everyone to Look Good and Feel Great..
1) Patience. 2) A zest for life. 3) Will Power.

http://www.eloquentbooks.com/LookingGoodFeelingGreatLadies50AndOver.html