Paid work and Not yet paid work...lol

It's a tricky balance, yes? I'd love to hear how you all are getting along with this- combining your passion for writing and fitting it into your work day so you can still pay the bills.
I haven't reached the equilibrium yet lol! But my intention is to keep paid work steady and integrate a routine where writing is steadfast and true as well. Suggestions?

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Permalink Reply by Victorya on August 15, 2010 at 12:23pm

Depends on your job. I always liked being a secretary because of all the downtime. Occassionaly someone would need a letter, or proofing, but the rest of the time was basically paid writing time. I also wrote manuals and did a lot of freelance so as long as the product was in the companies hands and polished on time, the rest of my life was mine. I was always told to have a job as far away from your creativity as possible so you still have that urge to create when work is done, and that's seemed to work for me!

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Permalink Reply by Karen M Croley on August 16, 2010 at 12:43pm

Victorya, thanks! I had to read your last sentence three times before I understood what you meant. But I rings true now- to have a paid job that doesn't use your creative expression will be more motivating to get those creative juices flowing for the writing job?

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Permalink Reply by Faith M. Boughan on August 16, 2010 at 12:27pm

Many people manage to carve niches out of their day (morning or night, depending on which time suits your energy levels better) and use that to work on their writing regularly. I haven't found my balance yet, but it's really a trial-and-error process until you figure out what works with your brain's rhythm.

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Permalink Reply by Karen M Croley on August 16, 2010 at 12:48pm

Yes Faith, I agree- write when your energy levels are at their peek- get in synch with your body's rythm. Thank you for the good advice!
I guess my biggest challenge is to fit in writing when I have my sons living with me- I share custody with their dad so we are one week on, one week off. And when they are here - all three of them (<11 y. o.) I am pretty maxed out. I hesitate to get on a writing schedule of one week on one week off... But then, maybe that suits me best.