When we’re trying to get published, we concentrate on what we perceive as the important things–learning our craft, finishing books, trying to find an agent or publisher, and dealing with rejection.
When we finally get that contract in hand, we have a whole new world of problems to counter–deadlines, edits, line edits, galley checks (all of which come in while we’re trying to finish a book and meet the next deadline), then there’s marketing, the worry of rejection (because rejections don’t stop once you get a contract–despite the rumors, a contract is not the golden key to eternal publishing), trying to keep our websites up to date (because a dead website is a useless website), trying to think of the next book.
And in the rush to keep learning, to keep growing, to keep ourselves published and our name out there, we tend to forget the one most vital thing of all.
Ourselves.
Writing is a lonely job–we’ve all heard that phrase, and we all understand it. Writing means sitting your butt in that chair and putting the words on the page, day in and day out. Every successful writer will tell you that you need to treat writing as a job, and like any regular job, it comes with its own load of stresses. Hell, we’re even stressed when we’re not writing!
But as doctors will tell you, stress can be a killer. It almost killed me. I landed in hospital for nine days with seriously high blood pressure after trying to juggle my two jobs–the so-called day job, which involved splits shifts and long hours, and my real job, writing, which at that time involved trying to complete one book while doing the constant flow of edits coming from my publisher on two others. Something had to give, and in the end, that something was my body.
Even after I’d come out of hospital, I didn’t take in the lesson. I quit my day job, but my writing schedule became even more intense, and all this was happening when my personal life was falling apart. Stress levels rose and once again something gave. This time it wasn’t so much my body, but my brain. Let’s just say I had something of a meltdown, and it was somewhat aimed my lovely editor’s way. NOT a good thing to do. But worst of all, my writing suffered. I had deadlines, but I couldn’t meet them. And the books I did hand in, well, they needed a lot of work because the muse just wasn’t playing the game any more.
This time, I took notice of the warning. I stepped back. I asked my editor for breathing room between books. I asked for an extension on the current deadline. I sorted out the mess in my own life, and made the decision it was time to start looking after me.
These days, I watch what I eat, I walk the dogs every day, I go to the gym five days a week. I look after my body, in other words. But that’s only half–or maybe even a third–of the problem, because as writers, we’re about creativity, and creativity comes from the brain and the soul, and that’s what we need to feed and nurture. And it’s also something we often overlook.
For me, looking after my muse involves simple things, like meeting friends for lunch and getting together regularly with my crit mates. It’s going for a drive on a bright sunny day, or finally tackling the three foot high weeds in my garden. It’s going for a holiday–a real holiday–that involves no writing, no thinking about writing, just enjoying. It’s giving myself breathing space, and not feeling guilty about it.
And even though I’m spending less time at the computer, I’m actually producing more, because a well fed, well nurtured muse is a happy and productive one.
So, what about you? Have you fallen into the trap of looking after the writing and not the writer? Do you take the time to feed and nurture your muse, and if so, what do you do?
Related posts:
This is a wonderful post. Very good reminder to remember what’s important.
Thank you for such a heartfelt blog post Keri.
I’m glad things are going well for you now.
I must admit I haven’t been taking care of “the writer” but after reading your post, I am going to start.
Love and best wishes to you and yours,
@RKCharron
xoxo
Hi Keri,
Great post (& pertinent. I too have burnt out my body & mind. Taken a long time (years) to get any level of stamina back. Learning the hard way to find balance & relieve stress – don’t recommend it to anyone!
But you nailed it – if you take care of body & mind, then the rest will be easier to handle (inc our muse).
Thank you for the reminder.
[...] the importance of taking care of yourself as a writer. Read one writer’s cautionary tale in The care and feeding of the writer from Deadline [...]
Been there. Done that. My brain and body threw in the towel in less dramatic ways than yours, but it still brought me to a halt and made me re-examine things. Now I am living a more balanced life that makes room for writing but is not centered on it. I even spent 10 days traveling without touching a computer at all, something that would’ve been unthinkable a year ago (not to mention impossible with my schedule). I am more productive, healthier and happier. What’s good for the writing is good for the writer and vice versa.
[...] « The care and feeding of the writer… [...]
The hard thing for me is figuring out when I’m really tired and truly need a break, and when I’m just procrastinating. Which is often. lol
I have chronic arm pain caused by radial nerve damage caused by years of writing and not sitting at my desk properly
I finished my second stretch of physiotherapy earlier this year and basically got told that my problem is never going to be solved, that I can only manage it to minimize the pain. I’ve had to completely change my work and home writing environments to adapt, but I’ve definitely had less pain since. And that means I’m writing more, and faster, so it’s been worthwhile 
Sometimes I look up from my computer and realize I have been sitting at it without moving for a couple of hours. This is clearly not good for the body and I’m convinced its not good for the brain, either. I now try to remember to get up every hour and drink some water. I also get a good long walk in every morning and that way if I do forget to move during the day at least I’ve gotten some exercise!
Been there, am there…
Between school, freelancing to cover the bills that my day job doesn’t cover, two businesses, a website, a family, and a book on the way – it’s a wonder I haven’t completely lost it. I’m sure it’s coming, but I am going to try and take a lesson from your post. How do I deal with it? I just do what’s in front of me and hope it all comes out in the wash. Meanwhile, I’m trying to take up yoga and get school off the plate. I’m trying to prioritize and realize that I can’t do it all. (Not easy for a control freak)
Thanks for the post – it’s a timely reminder!
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.
I love your site.
Love design!!! I just came across your blog and wanted to say that I
Sign: umsun Hello!!! rcuwwymhyw and 2623ssgfhphzye and 2369I love your blog.
I just came across your blog.
I’m a young Egyptian nationality write stories and novels reflect the Arab street, but I can not deploy these stories probably do not know the role of international publishing, or perhaps the lack of potential in the funds and other … And I hope some friends help me .. Generation and you thanks and respect ..
email: hefnawe_2010@yahoo.com
Sign: uwfgv Hello!!! khctf and 1445xhbyfwwuus and 635 My Comments: Great Blog!
Sign: kxdrb Hello!!! zsmbs and 2985wbvdddzsws and 671 My Comments: Nice blog!
Sign: gfndc Hello!!! mmcwt and 1385ddehdddbgx and 4833 : Thanks. We look forward to hearing from you again and for your opinions on the world of work.
Sign: dgcph Hello!!! adact and 5822hebetpmnva and 160 : Sorry, what did you mean?? A??
games
top video videos fun games.