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The Glam-rock Life of a Writer by Jess Lourey

Today, I’m deciding whether I should read, write, or parent. Don’t call social services on me–the kids have the TV on and some Cheetos and water. Ha! You think I’m kidding. I am. They don’t have Cheetos. The thing about being a single parent who works full time AND is trying to jumpstart a writing career, or at least very much enjoys writing and wants to make it a part of her life, is that you have to be able to multi-task like a monkey, as well as cut corners. Here are the corners I’m cutting:

1. Weekend showers (40 more minutes of writing time!)
2. Intimate relationships (saves whole balls of time, not including making #1 above easier to pull off)
3. Recreational television (except for The Office on Thursday nights)
4. Talking on the phone (never liked it anyways)
5. Going out with friends (I hope they don’t read this)

There’s probably more, but it would take too long to think of them. But I remember reading a quote by Anne McAffery or Marion Zimmer Bradley or some other wildly successful sci fi/fantasy writer and mother, and she said, “‘A good time to write’ will never present itself. You have to carve it out of the day, because there will always be other responsibilities–a house to clean, kids to play with, bills to pay. You have to make time to write today, or you’ll never be a writer.”

So here’s my plan: I’m going to write every night starting at 8, when I put the kids to bed, until I get stupid. I considered getting up early in the morning to write, but I vaguely remember what it was like to have my alarm go off at 5 am, when I’m all warm and rubbery under my goosedown duvet and it’s dark, cold, and lonely outside. I may be dumb, but I’m not stupid. There’s a better chance of me getting up at 5 am to exercise than there is of me getting up at 5 am to write. In other words, none.
I otherwise save the weekday post-school to bedtime time for my kids, of course, and most of the weekends, except when they nap and the one hour of computer check-in I try to do every Saturday and Sunday to make sure my online classes are going OK. Today, I think the kids and I will do a little sledding and piano practice, and maybe clean the house. It’s not much, but it’s my life, and I like it.

Ah. the glamorous life of a writer. It’s surprising more people don’t sign up for this.

6 Responses to “The Glam-rock Life of a Writer by Jess Lourey”

Hi Jess!
Thanks for stopping in and giving us the low down on the life of a writer. For some reason, I still have it in my head that you all have secretaries (and nannies) and are jetting around selling your books.

I am struggling with writing consistantly and staying with a project until it’s end. I wrote a short story last weekend which is about the length of my attention span I think. But I’ve committed to a critique group and have sent the first two chapters of my mystery/suspense to them. I only have two more chapters done, so I better get cracking or I’ll run out of material soon.

by Lynn on March 22nd, 2008 at 9:44 am
Very nice.
Although, I’m going into the field of journalism, and not writing novels, I absolutely love to write. I’d have to agree, writing at night is always easier. I find it relaxing and I tend to write more, not to mention my better writing comes out at night.
Have a Blessed Easter.

by Tina Marie on March 22nd, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Hi Jess,
Thanks for visiting us and giving us a glimpse into your writing life. I currently get up at 5:00am because I start work at 6:00am. I push it to get ready as fast as I can. There is just no way that I would be able to get up any earlier than that to try and write. I am not a morning person. Well, I love the mornings….but after 8:30 or so. Anyway, I write in the evenings too. It’s nice to think that I am not alone out there…my fellow writers are typing away too.

by Linda on March 23rd, 2008 at 12:23 am
Welcome to the Cozy Chicks, Jess!

I’m in awe of your multitasking. It’s fabulous. Congrats on the new book and, well, finding the time to do it all (weekend showers, phone calls, friends, TV, intimacy, and Cheetos notwithstanding).

by Heather on March 23rd, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Jess–thanks for sharing. I am right there with you. I’m not single any longer, but I was with two boys for three years and workign a day job praying to get published with stars of bestsellerdom in my eyes. That has not happened and thus–no nanny, no secretary, no freaking yacht or a chef or being able to shop at anywhere else but Target (which I do really love. Youcan get jeans there for $20.00!) Now I have three kids and my husband has a new business, so I might as well be single at times.

I took a decent pay cut when I strated publishing and writing full time, and we won’t even go into the guilt thing about being at home writing and the kids are eating Cheetos and the dogs need food, and the dishes are stacking up in the kitchen and at 11:30 you are still in pj’s with no plans of changing until like 4:00. My kids at least have some candy this week during break, which is the hardest time on mommy writers. Summer is nearly impossible. Camps aren’t cheap, and there is that gult thing. I have a job. I really do. I just happen to be at home doing it, which does not seem to count to many out there–like my family.

Anyway, I feel your pain. Good luck with the book. Don’t worry about the showers on weekends. Think of it as being a conservationist. It’s all in the spin you put on it.

Cheers,
Michele

by Michele on March 24th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Do you see how disciplined and organized I am? It’s taken me this long to respond to all your great comments. I am not on the ball. The ball is on me.

Lynn–personally, I think writing short stories is more difficult than writing a novel (and will be posting on that subject here in May), so kudos to you! My new new plan is to write three pages a day, and I’ve stuck with it for 15 days. That’s 45 pages! Of crap, sure, but it’s a new new plan. I’m still working out the kinks.

Tina Marie–going into journalism in this current political climate and the shifting landscape of print journalism is brave indeed. It’s vital that that field calls in more honest and dedicated people. You’re honest and dedicated, right?

Linda–you’re a machine. How do you get up that early? You’re right that there is comfort in knowing there’s a bunch of out here slogging over our keyboards, dreaming and writing, writing and dreaming. We’re both writing right now, right? Or we should be…

Heather, will you be my friend?

Michelle–we are kindred souls! I love a woman who helps me to rationalize my lack of personal hygiene.

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

by Jess Lourey on April 20th, 2008 at 9:30 pm

The Glam-rock Life of a Writer by Jess Lourey

6 Responses to “The Glam-rock Life of a Writer by Jess Lourey”

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