Getting a “real job” vs writing my heart out

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I keep thinking I should go get a “real job”. The extra money would be awesome right now – I could pre-order the next generation nook! But I have to ask myself whether that is what I REALLY want to do. With FRG duties warming up and opening up a whole new world of possibilities for activity, will getting a day-job leave me with time to write?

On the heels of that, I ask myself if writing isn’t what I really want to do. I have no concrete idea of where my writing is going to eventually take me, right now I am just content to write, and write and write … I know I need a plan, goals, dreams … and I am not averse to a novel or other similar publication sometime in the near or distant future. That would actually be awesome. I realize, however, that I have a lot of work to do with my writing before I get there.

Maybe part of that realization is based in fear – can I write something that people will enjoy, want to read, make them come back for more? How do I deal with the possibility of getting a “real job” which takes time away from writing? Suppose I am offered a job … what then? Should I say “no thanks. I am working on my writing career” or do I take the job and use the money to invest in my writing career?

Of course, having worked a full time job in Kentucky before moving here with hubby, I know full well that an 40-hour-job is going to render me incapable of doing anything but just existing. And frankly, I don’t want that. I know this. Yet I still struggle with the decision – even though it is essentially already made. What does this decision say about me? Does it say I am determined to make something of myself? Or does it say I am making excuses to stay home and be lazy?

lazy |ˈlāzē| adjective ( lazier , laziest ) 1 unwilling to work or use energy : I’m very lazy by nature | he was too lazy to cook. • characterized by lack of effort or activity : lazy summer days. • showing a lack of effort or care : lazy writing. • (of a river) slow-moving.

I want to write but I fear what people – my husband first and foremost – will think of me if I insist I want to stay home and work on a writing career. I don’t want to be seen as lazy, or reluctant to work, or a deadbeat. I do tend to be somewhat of a procrastinator but I get things done. And one thing I have been noticing about myself for a week or so now is that I like to write! Lazy doesn’t fit someone like me who cooks, cleans, washes, writes – oh yes I write a lot – read, care for my husband and cats …

So, maybe my goal for now needs to be convincing myself and those who I consider closest to me that writing is a perfectly reasonable career to work towards. That it has merit, that MY writing has merit. Maybe that will be my newest short term goal: the point at which the decision to work on my writing career no longer has a cringe attached to it when said out loud.

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Comments 4

  1. yolospatNo Gravatar wrote:

    You are an amazing writer and I an easily see you being published. I think your husband would want you to be yourself and not deny yourself of who you are and who you want to be. He loves you no matter what.

    Posted 15 Dec 2009 at 21:30:56
  2. CamilleNo Gravatar wrote:

    =) Thanks.

    Posted 16 Dec 2009 at 06:01:24
  3. EmpressDomsNo Gravatar wrote:

    I say go for what you love to do because nothing else will feel right and you’ll only look back with regret.

    I’m sure people look at me crazy because I blog all day with hopes of making a living from it, but I majored in something that I’m uninterested in and more importantly, I love my blog.

    I don’t care. Jimi Hendrix said, “I’m the one that has to die when its time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to!”

    I’m broke.. lol but I’m happy! :o )

    Posted 18 Dec 2009 at 13:04:08
  4. CamilleNo Gravatar wrote:

    =) I like the way you talk. I especially like your Jimi quote. Nice to meet you. Thanks for the vote of confidence and for stopping by.

    Posted 18 Dec 2009 at 13:18:41