I had an email conversation with a writer friend this morning who has changed direction with her writing career\u2014not an easy thing to do. She has been doing freelance work for years. But decided to leave it behind her and write a novel. She\u2019s courageous, I say. <\/p>\n
Are you a freelance writer who is suffering from burnout? Are you fed up with the stress of book promotion? I have experienced temporary bouts with burn out often over the years. Usually, I can cure it by taking time away from whatever project I\u2019m working on at the time\u2014spending more time gardening, doing needlework projects, walking on the beach or writing in a different vein. Soon I am eager to resume my work. <\/p>\n
Additionally, every year or so for many years, I have reevaluated my career path and that\u2019s when I decide to make slight adjustments (or not). It doesn\u2019t matter what I decide\u2014but the evaluation process is important because it forces\/allows me to make a decision. Once the decision is made, whether it is to continue along the same path or make a detour, I can easily commit to it. <\/p>\n
Finally, however, after many years of freelancing, like my friend, I suffered burnout one last time and, when I did my annual evaluation, I made new decisions and made new commitments. I\u2019m not courageous enough to turn to novel-writing\u2014not yet, anyway. I stayed more within my comfort zone. I turned my attention to the needs of other writers and authors by taking on more editing and consulting work, by offering online courses as a sort of mentorship program, by spending more time and energy writing books, by speaking personally to writers through conferences, etc. and, of course, running SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network).<\/p>\n
It is difficult to decide to change your lifestyle in order to accommodate a writing career. And the shifts and transitions that occur amidst a writing career\u2014sometimes naturally and sometimes through choices\u2014can be tough. But, if you\u2019ve been in this field for any length of time, you\u2019ve probably learned that change is inevitable and usually, if we don\u2019t fight it, a good thing.<\/p>\n
I\u2019d like to hear about your writing\/publishing career shifts\u2014were they by choice or circumstance? Did you allow them and navigate them gracefully or did you go kicking and screaming all the way? What were the results of your actions\/decisions?<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t forget, I\u2019m offering all of my online, on-demand courses\u2014even my two new ones\u2014at a discount during the month of June\u2014my birthday month. Check them out at: http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/courses.htm<\/a> Contact Patricia Fry with your questions. PLFry620@yahoo.com <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I had an email conversation with a writer friend this morning who has changed direction with her writing career\u2014not an easy thing to do. She has been doing freelance work for years. But decided to leave it behind her and write a novel. She\u2019s courageous, I say. Are you a freelance writer who is suffering […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t