Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Things writers never talk about: day jobs

Growing up, I always pictured my favorite writers Doing Nothing But Writing. Can you see them too? There's Lois Duncan, bent over a manuscript at a small attic desk, ghostly whispers swirling around her. Or Ellen Emerson White, tucked in a DC rowhouse overlooking the Washington Monument and penning her next story about living in the White House. I have no idea if that's what their lives or writing spaces were, or are, like, really--but that's how I always pictured it. Nothing but words and romance and... fantasy.

Pure fantasy.

I'd like to say I've gotten more realistic, now that I'm a writer. But sometimes I still imagine everyone else is spending oodles of time at their desks, churning out books, while my life is spent juggling, and juggling, and juggling.

But I think my life is actually far more typical of a children's book writer than many realize. Yes, I do spend lots of time writing books for teens. But I also am a mother to a four year-old, and I work full-time for an educational publishing company doing non-writerly things. I have a beautiful old house that is always demanding attention--patch! renovate! paint! mow!--and an ever-supportive husband who barely ever complains about the huge queue of shows to be watched on our DVR.

I know writers who are accountants, teachers, media specialists, public librarians, stay-at-home parents, and attorneys. They all struggle to find the time--and energy--to write.

Don't get me wrong: I am grateful for my writing career and it's always worth the struggle to make time for it. But the next time you picture your favorite writer lavishing six, seven, eight hours per day on their manuscript... odds are, their desk is empty during most of that time. it's amazing what we all DO get done, given that nobody's found a way to fit more hours into their day (and if you have... will you please share?).

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