I started back to work this week after over four months of time off. For those of you who didn’t know, I needed an ACL reconstruction performed on my left knee after a PMIS (Personal Moment of Intense Stupidity). Although, I detested the leg brace, crutches, pain, and physical therapy the surgery went very well and my knee is almost as good as new.
Of course, my first week back I’m thrown into working security on a murder trial. The proceedings are interesting, but as I keep a watchful eye on the accused, I can’t help but wonder: Should I have pushed myself harder during my physical therapy?
Truthfully, I don’t mind my day job. It affords me lots of time to think, and I get to meet many really interesting people. The downside of returning to work is that I have to buckle-down on my time-management skills. I have to make sure to write everyday, continue querying and work to generate interest in my manuscripts. My forced vacation was painful, but it did allow me to move my writing projects forward and build this website.
I hear you on the time management stuff. I started my first novel when I got fired from my last job, and took only about two years to complete the trilogy. I still had my writing muse during the first year of my new job, but after my duties started getting more demanding, and responsibilities of the day job took over my life, I find I haven’t had much time to concentrate on writing in the last two years. I don’t want to give up on it, but I think my muse has gotten disgusted at the lack of concentration, and probably found a more willing writer to inspire.
But you have at least one good thing going for you: from your previous posts, it sounds like your wife is very supportive of your writing aspirations. That is really important in a relationship, because writing, and the subsequent business end of marketing your work, takes up as much time as a full time job. Family time is the first to suffer in the time management quandry. I know mine did. Next was my usual hobbies.
The key is to find a tolerable balance. I’m still struggling with this; especially after I got involved with the blogging community. You seem pretty well grounded.
I’m sure you’ll figure it out.
BTW: your website is awesome. I’ve had a wonderful time hanging out, and I’ll be back to read your interesting posts.
…………..dhole
Oh; I don’t know how often you check comments, but I left one on the Dodging Demons excerpt. I hope the agent who asked for a full takes you on. Throwing yourself into another writing project is the best way to tackle the patience issue, but I doubt you’ll have long to wait. Excellent novel; well polished and engaging. Good luck.
……..dhole