Thursday, January 4, 2018
Going Out of Business Sort of temporarily
Going Out of Business Sort of temporarily
For the past year and a half, writing has been my business, my profession. Since I retired, Ive used my writing income to supplement my pension. It has helped a great deal.
However, recently, Ive been noticing a great deal of stress. The sort that makes it hard to sleep, saps the joy out of life and makes you sick. Since I retired, I have no health insurance, so not getting sick is a big deal with me. Especially, since I retired early because of health issues. (Can you spell I-R-O-N-Y).
Anyway, Ive been praying and I have decided to quit my job as a writer, at least temporarily. I have other writing related things going on like doing ebook formatting for a small publisher and I have several things Ive written that just need editing and uploading to Kindle. And I intend to keep working on some writing projects I have. However, I am no longer going to treat it like a job or my profession.
Im going to play the dilettante for awhile. Write when I feel like it. Wait for inspiration. Not set a schedule. Take days off. Let it become a lower priority than say time with family and friends. In other words - a hobby.
Now, if you are dependent on writing for your income, or if you are trying to make an income (part-time or full-time) or you want to be a serious writer, DONT DO THIS!!!
Im kind of in a creative depression right now. I think it is because I have been putting out more creative content than Ive been taking in. Ive been exhausting myself working or worrying when Im not working. Trying to produce too much in too little time. I need to full up the old bucket of creativity again. And I can afford to do so. The books I have out already provide some nice residual income as do a few other sources.
Most significantly, i feel I need to devote more time to mentoring other writers, teaching my classes (where Ive fallen behind), and basically helping others get into print.
This is not a "resignation", but more like a leave of absence or sabbatical. How long it will last, I do not know. Check in and maybe Ill give you some updates. Maybe I wont. Right now, Im getting out of the front seat and letting someone else do the driving for awhile.
