As a full-time writer, I am one of the lucky ones. I am
married with two teenage daughters and also mum to our mad chocolate Lab,
Tyler. If I had to work out of the home, eke out time to write, and manage the
house and kids, I would have most certainly given up my dream of writing books
for a living by now.
Having said that, as I am able to write full-time around my
family, the only way it is possible is to be dedicated and committed to the
opportunity. I don’t take my position lightly and appreciate it every day by
treating my work the same way I would if I had to work outside of the home.
I am at my desk by 8.30am and worked through until 5.30pm
(with two dog walks in between), every Monday to Friday. The housework, family
and social time comes after or on the weekends, never in between. Mind you, housework
is way—WAY—down on my list of priorities. Show me a writer and I’ll show you a
dusty house, lol!
Of course, as my daughters are of
school and uni age, things tend to fall to wayside during the holidays. Then,
much to my shame, I become a bit of a savage animal who hasn’t been fed for
days. I grunt, growl and snap at anyone or anything that interrupts me, sending
glares of the demented kind in every direction.
Now that my kids are 16 and 18,
and I have been writing since the youngest was 4, they don’t bat an eyelid at
the woman who sometimes resembles their lovely mother. Instead, then just roll
their eyes or shout back…and then close my office door. Peace resumed.
It is possible to write around
your family, but it’s often hard and frustrating too. The question is, how much
do you want to write? Be published? Have your dream career? It’s just a case of
letting the small stuff go, making sure your loving family understand how much
your work means to you and praying they support you. If not? DO IT ANYWAY!
Happy writing!
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