- But only Monday-Friday!
I’m Laura. And I’m a workaholic.
I have never been a workaholic, in action or proclivity. But when you’re a freelance writer, it sneaks up on you. You don’t want to turn down work because tomorrow, you might have no assignments. But before you know it, you’re overwhelmed with deadlines and working nights and weekends. OK, maybe not you, but me, for sure.I didn’t realize how bad it had gotten until we started working on house and yard projects for Maddie’s grad party (which was Sunday, and which we survived–whew!). We were working every night and through entire weekends, and I just kept falling further and further behind. Nights aren’t really the problem, actually. I occasionally will work on something for an hour or so in the evening. But I’ve started putting in probably 8-10 hours over every weekend, too.
This is not what I want to do. I love to write, and if the muse visits and I write a bit on the weekend, great. But the truth is, the work I’ve been doing over weekends isn’t writing–at least not my creative, just-because-I-have-to-write-this writing. Instead, it’s copyediting, blogging, CLN work, social media stuff, answering emails, creating my e-letters, etc.
So…I’ve got to get this figured out. I’m going to have to get more realistic about how much I can accomplish each week. I’m going to have to winnow down my goals and to-do lists. That is hard. But there’s a lot more to life than work, so…I’ll be figuring this out. Wish me luck!
I’m in the exact same boat! And on one hand, I don’t mind because I love what I do, but on the other hand there has to be time for family, and a few minutes to relax sometimes. If you figure this out, let me know! 🙂 (Glad the grad party went well and congrats on having a graduate:))
I bet, Susanna. Especially as you get into teaching and such. I’ll be doing some soul searching in the next couple of months and making changes. Will share if I have any great revelations:>) And…thanks!
I’m in the exact same boat! And on one hand, I don’t mind because I love what I do, but on the other hand there has to be time for family, and a few minutes to relax sometimes. If you figure this out, let me know! 🙂 (Glad the grad party went well and congrats on having a graduate:))
I bet, Susanna. Especially as you get into teaching and such. I’ll be doing some soul searching in the next couple of months and making changes. Will share if I have any great revelations:>) And…thanks!
Alas, Laura, I’m right there with you. We’ve spoken of this before, and I still haven’t figured it out. I just know something’s got to give SOON, so I’m evaluating what thing(s) I need to sacrifice. Not easy!
It’s really, really hard. I don’t want to give anything up, and marketing just expands to fill every available moment. As you know. Oi.
Alas, Laura, I’m right there with you. We’ve spoken of this before, and I still haven’t figured it out. I just know something’s got to give SOON, so I’m evaluating what thing(s) I need to sacrifice. Not easy!
It’s really, really hard. I don’t want to give anything up, and marketing just expands to fill every available moment. As you know. Oi.
Here’s me, wishing you luck as you figure this out!
Thanks, Penny!
Here’s me, wishing you luck as you figure this out!
Thanks, Penny!
Hey, you took my blog post idea. 😛 I was going to say something along those same lines! Just finished 1 project and getting another one. I don’t want to say NO to a publisher cuz I want them to know they can count on me. Thankfully, they usually ask if I can take the project on and when.
Exactly! My clients aren’t generally flexible–not because they don’t want to be, but they’re always on tight deadlines. Love this business, but it drives me crazy. Maybe you have some great insights to share in your blog post…?
Hey, you took my blog post idea. 😛 I was going to say something along those same lines! Just finished 1 project and getting another one. I don’t want to say NO to a publisher cuz I want them to know they can count on me. Thankfully, they usually ask if I can take the project on and when.
Exactly! My clients aren’t generally flexible–not because they don’t want to be, but they’re always on tight deadlines. Love this business, but it drives me crazy. Maybe you have some great insights to share in your blog post…?
Great post, Laura,
It is a constant balancing act that takes a life time to perfect, and then some of us, never get it right, but that is part of the fun of writing for children. We are continuously changing, growing and developing. Thanks for the insight.
So true, Joy. Just when I think I’ve foudn balance, my life or the industry makes a major shift and–KABLOOEY! My youngest is graduating from high school, so this next couple of months will be a great time for me to really make some decisions and figure out how to make my schedule work better.
Great post, Laura,
It is a constant balancing act that takes a life time to perfect, and then some of us, never get it right, but that is part of the fun of writing for children. We are continuously changing, growing and developing. Thanks for the insight.
So true, Joy. Just when I think I’ve foudn balance, my life or the industry makes a major shift and–KABLOOEY! My youngest is graduating from high school, so this next couple of months will be a great time for me to really make some decisions and figure out how to make my schedule work better.
Oh, Laura. So timely a posting. And I am not blogging! It is hard. Do what you love and what you need to do. But keep being you and writing and sharing. Same for all you other wonderful bloggers and friends!
Thanks for your encouragement, Janet. I have to give up/simplify some things, but I definitely don’t want to stop connecting with you and other writers:>)
Oh, Laura. So timely a posting. And I am not blogging! It is hard. Do what you love and what you need to do. But keep being you and writing and sharing. Same for all you other wonderful bloggers and friends!
Thanks for your encouragement, Janet. I have to give up/simplify some things, but I definitely don’t want to stop connecting with you and other writers:>)