Guest Post: Gregory G. Allen On The Working Writer
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 11:00AM This week's blog swap involves my friend, Gregory G. Allen, author of Well with My Soul (which I still promise to read) and Proud Pants (which I did read and it's freakin' excellent). Below, Greg shares with us his thoughts on what it means to be a real indie writer -- in other words, what it's like to be a writer but still have a day job.
My weekly blog, regarding the realities of marketing books through social media, appears on Greg's site, GGAllen.net. You can also check out his writing (and seriously, you should) at Amazon: click here.
By the way, if you haven't already, visit MeeGenius.com and vote for Greg's book, Chicken Boy, The Amazing Adventures of a Superhero with Autism, which Greg is looking to get published. Click Here To Visit the Site.
When people ask me 'what do you do', isn't it strange I still don't say "I'm a writer"? Instead, I talk about my day job. You know - the one that pays the mortgage, the bills, and allows me to be a working writer.
But just what the heck is a working writer anyways?
Writing is so much more than throwing down a collection of words on a piece of paper. (If only it were that easy.) I've been writing for more than half of my life in one form or another (for stage, the page, and online articles). But even once something is published, the work never stopped. As a working writer, you are constantly ... well - working.
The list is endless: either attempting your next endeavor, writing a blog, 'working' the social media angle by engaging others in conversations while slyly attempting to promote your book, reading other author's books, writing reviews of those books, writing testimonials for another author (because it really is about 'paying it forward' and doing what you can for another indie author), attending book signings and/or speaking engagements, attending conferences to meet other people who are doing exactly what you're doing (got to actually see Scott face-to-face at one of those), marketing, marketing, marketing ... and oh yes that day job that pays the mortgage, bills, etc.
Here is what I do:
Set aside time to work on the promotion of your book and social media. This can be before you head off to your job, or an hour when you get home. But make it part of your ‘job’ so that those living in the house with you understand you’re still working – not just surfing the net. And then – walk away from the computer!
Lists. Lists. Lists. I keep “To-Do Lists” everywhere. I email them to myself so that I have them at my day job (for those moments I can steal a few minutes at lunch or otherwise). I know bloggers I need to respond to, bookstores I’m reaching out to, and whose book I’m currently reading to write a testimonial. Without that organization, I’d never be able to keep up with it all.
Never stop reading. I read every chance I get. Not only other people’s novels, but the great articles of inspiration and creative tips that are tweeted to me throughout the day.
Keep writing. Even if you have a book out there, write a blog or an article/essay for something on line…but continue that craft. Carve out some time to accomplish this task so that you maintain those skills.
Learn to juggle as well as relax. It is never going to be easy when you are attempting to maintain two careers as well as relationships and LIFE. So don’t get frustrated when something must take precedence over your writing world. It’ll still be there when you get back. Twitter isn’t going away. People can still find your books online. Throw a ball in the air and move on to that pressing matter and then turn to your significant other and take them out to dinner. We must let go and breathe every once in a while.
I'll admit - I'm lucky. My day job is in the creative arts managing an arts center and that environment definitely feeds my creative juices and allows me flexibility that others do not always have. But whatever ‘working writer’ means for you; cut yourself some slack so you don’t get too burnt out on the entire thing.
And as far as saying what it is I do - perhaps someday I'll be able to say "I'm a writer". I'm not sure how many books I have to see published or how many dollars (pennies) I need to receive from book sales to believe I'm deserving of the title...but for now, I'll keep doing what I love to do...
Juggling.
Reader Comments (7)
Thanks, Greg! It's funny how many things you and I seem to have in common. My first book only came out in October, and even though in the years prior I was "working" on it, like you, I felt I couldn't entirely claim the title "writer", and always offered my day job in conversation. But over the past few months, I found it easier and easier to claim the mantle of writer, and it feels really good. If we want others to think of us that way, we must BE that and embrace it. I don't want to be someone who wrote a book once. I want to be an author.
What's the difference? Attitude.
Thanks for the great list of tips--definitely useful!
Take care, and thanks Scott for giving Greg the space. (Loved your cross post as well!)
Thanks, Kergan. What a great comment. I love the phrase "I want to be an author" and the difference being "attitude." Boo-yah!
I am fairly new to writing, other than schoolwork, so I don't feel I can claim the title 'working writer' quite yet. But, I still find, or try to find, time to accomplish what I need to do to work on my craft. And when my book does get published, ten even more crainess will ensue! Thank you, Greg, for your words here, and Kergan, for yours, too. I feel I am not alone in this madness we call a writer's life.
Thank you, Scott, for sharing your space with Greg.
So glad my small list can be helpful to others. We're all attempting to weed our way through this career choice. Naturally, what works for some may not work for others. If you come up with other helpful hints, please share those too!
Such great thoughts, well-presented. I now force myself to say, "I'm a writer" BEFORE I say, "I teach yoga." but it's taken a while! I have Greg's books on my to-read list - we'll be traveling all over in an RV this year, and I hope to have lots of reading time, along with writing time.
Okay, time to respond to yours now. :) Gregory, great post. I wish I could find some kind of fault with what you have to say, but it's all true. I have, for a good few years now, struggled with when I'm able to say "I'm a writer." I mean, I write all the time. People ask, as they often do during those uncomfortable few minutes when you meet new people, "What do you do?" "I'm a sign language interpreter," I answer, then I struggle with the inner voice ...do I tell him I'm an aspiring writer? Will he nod his head sympathetically? Will he care? More often than not I leave it out. I'm in school - again - to get to that "writerly" place in my life that I'm looking for, so we'll see how it goes. As for the other things - heaven help me if I can't spend more time online than I should on my days off! It's horribly addicting. I see all these posts on Twitter just STREAMING in and I think, "Are these people writing?" But I digress. Didn't mean to ramble! Again, great post. Thanks for hosting it, Scott. :)
Thanks Melissa & Sean for your comments. I see we all have problems saying 'those words'. Melissa - I should be like you and force myself to do it. (Thanks for adding me to your TO READ list!) Sean...don't be afraid! Let's say it!!