On being a professional writer

[vg_ford]

So, I had a lovely dinner on Sunday night with my friend Donna (who is woefully LJ-less) and the ever-awesome irysangel, and amid all the really yummy Uno's food, we talked writing. Lots of writing. And it got me thinking about writing professionally.

I try to read my LJ every day, and I see (especially in November) all the amazing word counts coming out on my flist. I have been woefully lax in posting mine, because I've been busy with a ton of other stuff. But life is finally (I hope!) starting to settle down. Within 2 weeks, I'll be switching to the 11:30 am to 8 pm shift at the day job, and I want to start concentrating on my writing again.

Technically, I guess I'm a professional writer. I've been published. I have book contracts. And yet, I don't really FEEL like a pro. No, I don't know why, but I still feel like the kid banging away on her Smith Corona typewriter (Yes, I am that old, and yes, I did start like that. It was my Papa's, and it was awesome) in her room. I have an office. (It's currently a disaster area, but it's there) I have deadlines. And yet, I don't feel like a pro.

Part of me is horrified by that. Part of me is kind of enchanted by it. We'll see which wins.

The goal is to get back to writing every day - and by writing, I mean actual story-type writing, with a plot - not just blog entries. My goal for next year is to have three books completed (not rough drafts, but completed BOOKS) by the end of next year: Dark Moon Seasons, Belladonna Dreams and Descent into Darkness. I also want to start working on plot outlines for several other books. I'm actually contemplating signing up for the 2YN at Forward Motion for 2008 to work on either Blips, Darwin's Law or Faery-Tale Princess - I think the process is still fascinating, and I've got a lot to learn about it. The class will (I hope) keep me honest and working on the book I choose.

So here's the deal. When I go to 11:30 to 8, I'm going to start going into work at 10 am three days a week. We have a great cafeteria here, with tons of plugs, so I'm going to bring my laptop or my QuickPad in every morning and write for 90 minutes before I go on the phones. I don't think I'll have my hour lunch anymore (sob!) but we'll see. If not, I'll be writing at night.

I have an hour commute, so this will be the big push for writing. I'll probably do another hour or so at night after hubby goes to bed, and in the mornings on the days I don't go in early. I want this routine established so that I can actually start producing again, rather than just angsting about it to patient friends like irysangel.

So stay tuned. We'll see what happens.

Comments

[peartreealley.livejournal.com]

Best of luck with the renewed resolve!

I'm trying to get back into the established habit as well, although I don't have deadlines or contracts as carrots ;)

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure they're really working as carrots, to be honest. More like, "Oh crap, you mean it's due THEN????" I need to come up with some good carrots.

[domynoe.livejournal.com]

I'm already looking at when the oldest and the grandbaby leave and thinking about reworking my routine...hell, of even HAVING a routine. When you sub, there is no such thing--you get up at all hours to make whatever school you're at for the day and have lunch anywhere from 10:30 A.M to 1 P.M. The only thing consistent is when the kids leave, but, of course, your distance from home determines what time you get home and so even when you eat dinner is up in the air. It totally sucks. And having family over that doesn't live with you anymore (especially an infant) can wreck havoc on any routine.

But it's been years since I've had a regular routine myself, so it ought to be interesting to see if I can reform old habits, plus add some of the new ones I REALLY need to incorporate. (Exercise, anyone?)

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

Definitely! Keep us updated!!!

[irysangel.livejournal.com]

I didn't think you were all waaah! I thought you were rather cheerful (though I suspect you are naturally like that ;))

I hear you on the writing-every-day thing. Not that I think you should HAVE to write every day, but as long as it's a regular occurrence and you write at least a few times a week for a good chunk, then it equates out to the same thing, t ome. :)

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

Exactly. And I really think it's more the routine - if you write every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, for example, and you keep producing, then that's just as good as writing every day, imho. It's just getting into that productive routine.

[jmeadows.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a good plan, dude!

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

Thanks! We'll see if it survives the first engagement. ;)

[kaitiana.livejournal.com]

You can do it! =) I feel your pain, though. Just barely managed to drag myself out of bed to write this morning. A little later than I should have, but at least I did it! =)

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was hoping to have some time before work to write, but the dentist and I both ran late. *sigh* Oh well, got the computer at work, so I'll write on lunch. And I might stay an hour later tonight to write.

Yay on you for getting up!!! That's awesome!

[suelder.livejournal.com]

You *are* a professional writer. You think things through logically and you set aside time to write and rewrite. You take your committments and obligations seriously.

In short, you don't treat your writing as a hobby, but a job. And you go about it in a very professional manner.

Writing is more than sitting down and making up stories - that's just the fun part. ;-)

Too many people that I'm seeing (including myself) just want the fun part. We'd do well to follow your example and your professionalism.

Suelder

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :) I do try, but I still feel like that kid in her room. Wonder if I'll ever feel that I'm ready for the big kids table? :)

Hey, are you considering going to RavenCon next yer? It's in Richmond - not too far from you, and Argus and I will both be there.

[suelder.livejournal.com]

BTW - I just read your excerpt - OOOh, yummy.

Makes me wonder if she *can* resign. And what the consequences would be. Hmmmmm.

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

Well, we might find out. I have a feeling she's going to try - and it's going to be ugly...