Have you ever wondered what it truly takes to live the writer’s life? It’s more than just putting words on a page. The reality involves juggling a series of tasks—writing, editing, researching, promoting, submitting, and more. And that’s all while managing the everyday responsibilities of family, work, and social life. It’s a balancing act that requires time, patience, and often money.
The Demands of Writing
The craft of writing is more demanding than most people realize. It’s not just about getting words down; it’s about making those words resonate. Writing requires time, focus, and creativity. But that’s just the beginning. The process also includes editing, rewrites, research, and promotion—each step a necessary part of transforming a raw idea into a finished product.
For introverts like me, the joy comes in the solitude of the writing process. I thrive on the quiet moments at my computer, where I can let my imagination take flight. Whether brainstorming or refining my drafts, I enjoy each phase—research, editing, and even the dreaded rewrites. But beyond the act of writing, there are the tasks that push me outside my comfort zone: submitting to publishers, self-promotion, and dealing with rejection. Over time, I’ve learned to accept these challenges as part of the writer's journey.
My Journey: Early Mornings and Full Days
When I was working full time, my day often started at 3 or 4 in the morning. I didn’t need an alarm; the characters in my current project would usually wake me with the next piece of the plot. Those quiet hours before the rest of the world woke up were my most productive, and they became my “real” work. I wrote The Inheritance, Windwalker, Beyond the Fifth Gate, and a writing guide called Pumping Your Muse—while still managing my full-time job, family, and active social life.
Today, I’m retired, but I still rise early to write. I’ve learned that early mornings are when my creativity flows most freely. It’s a routine that’s become ingrained in me—one I wouldn’t trade.
Affirmation and Mindset Shift
One of the biggest challenges early on was reconciling my passion for writing with my day job. Despite working in a beautiful location—an island in Florida—there were days when I felt deflated walking into my office after an early morning of writing. I remember praying on my drive to work, gazing at the Gulf of Mexico, and asking, “Lord, I want to be a writer.” The answer was clear, not in words, but in my spirit: "You are a writer." That moment was a turning point. It shifted my mindset—writing was no longer just a passion, but my work.
That affirmation changed everything. It gave me the confidence to approach my writing with a new sense of purpose. I no longer viewed writing as something “extra” I did in my spare time; it was at the core of who I was.
Daily Grind of Writing
While writing brings me joy, it’s not always easy. The daily grind of a writer’s life can feel like any other job—early mornings, deadlines, and a constant drive to improve. Yet those foundational days, when I was working full time and writing at the same time, taught me perseverance and organization.
People often ask me how I managed to juggle so many things. The key, I tell them, is balance. It comes down to setting priorities and realistic goals. There will always be more to do than you have time for, so you have to pick your battles.
How That Time Shaped My Writing Process
Writing is a continual process of growth. Early on, I realized that the true reward of writing isn’t just in seeing words accumulate on a page, but in the emotions and connections those words create. A well-crafted story has the power to make readers feel, whether it’s joy, sadness, wonder, or suspense.
But there’s more to it. Every writer dreams of getting published, and that requires research, persistence, and a healthy dose of patience. One of the first lessons I learned was that getting published is not entirely within your control. You can write the stories, but whether or not they get accepted is up to editors, agents, and publishers.
In the early days of my writing career, I set a goal: to publish 12 short stories in a year. I thought this would give me the clips I needed for my portfolio. But the process didn’t unfold as I imagined. Some stories were rejected, others never found a home, and not all stories were polished enough to be published. I had to adjust my expectations.
Instead of focusing solely on publication, I shifted my goal from “Get 12 stories published this year” to “Write and submit 12 stories this year.” This approach helped me stay focused on what I could control—my writing process—while also learning how to handle rejection and keep pushing forward.
The Journey Continues
I could go on about the lessons I've learned but I’ll save that for future posts. The writing life is an ongoing journey, filled with highs, lows, and everything in between. If you have any questions or thoughts you'd like to share, feel free to contact me. I'd love to hear from you.
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