Pay no attention to the picture! I love my day job! Not everyone can say that, but I’ve worked as a bookkeeper for a property development firm for 23½ years. The last few years, I’ve tried to balance my day job with my passion—writing romantic suspense novels.
By the time I put in my eight hours, commute an hour, and take an hour lunch break, there’s not a lot of time left when I get home. That’s where the balancing part comes in and it’s really pretty simple. Turn off the television and write—every day. It’s an early night if I hit the pillow before midnight.
Is it all worth it? Well, my day job gives me a purpose, a place to belong, and a pay check. It puts a roof over my head, food on the table, and provides a generous 401K plan for my retirement. And don’t forget health insurance. In today’s current state of insurance unrest, that’s an invaluable perk.
On the other hand, I don’t have to be in front of a computer or have a pad of paper and a pen in my hand to write. I can plan and plot and think through a scene in the shower, in the car, or in bed before I fall asleep.
I know my characters better than I know any real person and yes, as strange as this may sound, they are real to me. By that I mean they have pasts with problems that affect their present, they have insecurities, imperfections, hopes and dreams. Most even have a sense of humor.
I have no choice but to write. I think the words would come even if I didn’t write them down. The only difference would be that I wouldn’t have to worry about those dreaded commas!
All writers, including me, hope to someday write that bestseller that will enable them to quit their day jobs and write full time. Until then, I’ll happily continue to switch between working eight to five and grinding out a thousand words or better a night, because writing is my passion!
What’s your passion, and how far will you go to achieve success at it?