A writer doesn’t wake up one morning thinking “Today, I will become a writer.” It just doesn’t happen that way. A writer writes because it is a hobby they enjoy.
Three years ago, I didn’t start writing my first novel with the intention of it becoming a series. I didn’t have a plan or a strategy in how or when I wrote. I fancied myself as a weekend writer- a few sentences here or maybe a paragraph there. I didn’t have an outline, nor did I know where my story would end up (or even if I would finish it). But, I continued to write until one day my first novel was born!
Writing is my escape from the stress of the corporate world. About a year ago, I became serious about writing-turning my hobby into my career. So I did a little research. What does a writer’s life look like?
After combing through article after article, I noticed a pattern. Hemminway, Rowlings, Riordan, Armantrout, and others seemed to spend more time working the media outlets than they actually did writing. I found this strange, but as I enter this new world of indie authors, I find it to be true.
I thought life as a writer would be more focused on the written word, but I was wrong. Life as a writer is focused more on the connections between the reader and the author rather than on the actual written work.
Another similarity: Most of the authors I researched have established a daily routine. They wake up at the crack of dawn, focus on writing until noon, and then do whatever else they need to do for the rest of the day.
As a full-time mom and corporate career woman, I find I lack the energy to stay motivated until late in the evening, especially after I have put in a full day at work. Living paycheck to paycheck doesn’t help keep the caffeine flowing either. So I thought I would be shameless and ask any of my devoted readers/followers to help me out with a cup of coffee. $3 buys me a cup of joe on the way home from work and will keep me going until midnight. I appreciate your patronage and will work hard to not only finish the Sanctorian Series but to also develop this blog into a useful tool for other new & upcoming authors as well.
I was reading a post by Darius Foroux the other day and I stumbled upon this quote from Ernest Hemmingway:
“Always stop while you are going good and don’t think about it or worry about it until you start to write the next day. That way your subconscious will work on it all the time. But if you think about it consciously or worry about it you will kill it and your brain will be tired before you start.”
Foroux’s article continued on to further discuss how Hemminway deters his mind from his work. (Click here to read the full article) Foroux’s article inspired me as a writer and a parent. Lately, I have found myself closed off from the rest of my family so that I could focus on writing my next novel (Forgotten: Book Three of the Sanctorian Series). I have spent a lot of time in seclusion with the purpose of achieving my goal-the completion of my novel by June 2018.
By doing this, what am I giving up? What am I missing out on? Foroux’s article has helped to open my eyes. I wanted to be a writer so that I could spend less time in the corporate world and more time with my children. Instead, I find myself spending more time writing than I do with my kids. I foresee an immediate change in my future. My kids are my world, my legacy. They are more important to me than words could ever express.
I wanted to share this with you today and ask you a question.
What is your legacy? What will you leave behind when your existence ends? How do you want to be remembered?
Published author and founder of https://cynthiabrandel.com, Cynthia has captivated the world with her works of fiction including The Sanctorian Series and her latest work, The Revenant City Series.
Lover of young adult reads and fantasy reads, Cynthia has transformed her passions into a full-time career.
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That pie chart looks a lot like my writing days. . .
Mine too!
“just get started” the procrastinator’s biggest fear. 🙂
Good advice friend!