A Reality Check for those Beginning the Professional Writing Journey

by Lynn Blackburn 
@LynnHBlackburn

Maybe I’m the only one who’s ever done this, but sometimes I read writing advice . . . and I roll my eyes.

I’m way too polite to do anything like that to someone’s face, of course.  But the truth is that I have at times been rather, well, how can I put this?

Clueless.

I was so sure my writing journey wouldn’t look quite like anyone else’s.

You know what I’m talking about, right?

It’s the literary equivalent of the things we say—or at least think—BEFORE we have children . . . and then get to eat when our three-year-old is flat on their back on the floor of the laundry detergent aisle in the middle Target.

Here are a few examples from my own experience. (Your mileage may vary)

What People Say: “You’ll lose some sleep.”

What I’ve Thought: “I won’t make a habit out of staying up late to meet my deadlines.” Sleep is important. Running around on four hours of sleep is not sustainable for most of us.

What Actually Happened: When the only time things get quiet enough for you to form a coherent thought is when the tiny tyrants are all snug in their beds, you know what? You do what you gotta do. Sometimes that means writing until the wee hours of the morning even though you know there will be serious repercussions.

What People Say: “You’ll need to miss a few workouts.”

What I’ve Thought: “Nope.”  I’m not a six-times-a-week kind of exercise girl, but I love my CrossFit box. I workout early in the morning so very few things can get in the way. And exercise is important for health and wellbeing.

What Actually Happened: With a deadline approaching, I missed most of my workouts because I just could not get my act together during the day, (see point #1). It’s hard to get up at five when you don’t go to bed until two.

What People Say: “Who needs a shower?” I’ve noticed that from time to time some of my favorite authors will allude to the fact that because they’re on a deadline, they haven’t washed their hair or changed clothes for a few days.

What I’ve Thought: “Writing will never lead me to neglect personal hygiene.”

What Actually Happened: A few weeks ago I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. It was terrifying. My hair that hadn’t been washed in three days and had been hastily twisted up and put in a clip. But it was now falling down—and not in the way hair falls around faces in romance novels. No. This looked like something out of a horror movie. No makeup. Glasses instead of contacts. I was wearing a t-shirt I’d worn the day before and gym pants (even though I hadn’t been to the gym).

What People Say: “You’ll have to say ‘no’ to time with family and friends.”

What I’ve Thought: This one has always bothered me. A lot. Because really? If your writing means you can’t have friends or see your family then something is seriously out of whack. Right?

What Actually Happened: I’ve come to see that handling this is very personal and subjective, but the bottom line is you’re probably going to have to skip some family gatherings, some coffee dates with your girlfriends, some book club meetings, and even, dare I say it? Deep breath  . . . some church activities.

GASP!

I know. I know. Sacrilege. Except . . . in my daily life, I have a small number of things I know for certain are what God has for me to do. I’m a wife and a mom. I homeschool. I write.

Everything—everything—else in my life has to be held up to some tough scrutiny before I can say yes. I have to check the areas I know are God’s will for me and see if they are doing okay. Have I spent any time with my husband? Do we have clean clothes? How many nights this week have we had takeout? Have my kids seen me for any length of time without a laptop in front of me? I might need to grab lunch with a friend because she’s a wealth of wisdom and I’ll walk away refreshed and encouraged as a mom. Or I might need to pass on an evening out for coffee because as wonderful as the fellowship would be, it would put me out late—for the fourth night in a row.  The questions are tough and not everyone understands the rationale behind the answers.

Much like parenting, I’m discovering the writing life requires intentionality and flexibility. Lots of prayer. And lots of grace.

So how about you? What have you done that you thought you’d never do as a writer?

Let’s talk about it (maybe laugh together?) in the comments.

Don’t forget to join the conversation!

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Lynn Huggins Blackburn believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. She’s passionate about CrossFit, coffee, and chocolate (don’t make her choose) and experimenting with recipes that feed both body and soul. She lives in South Carolina with her true love, Brian, and their three children. Her first book, Covert Justice, won the 2016 Selah Award for Mystery and Suspense and the 2016 Carol Award for Short Novel. Her second book, Hidden Legacy, releases June 2017. You can follow her real life happily ever after on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and at lynnhugginsblackburn.com.