The Juggling Act: Working Full-time and Writing by Amy Clipston

Today, is a repeat of one of the most popular Wednesday posts from 2016. It's hard to balance all our responsibilities with a writing career, so I hope you'll find something in Amy Clipston's experience that will help you. Happy New Year! -- Sandy

Amy: People often ask me, “How do you work a full-time job and write books?” I resist the urge to roll my eyes, and instead I sweetly reply, “I just make it work.”

Unlike many authors, I work a full-time for a local government, in addition to writing four books per year for HarperCollins Christian Publishing.

While other authors may write for 14 hours straight on a Monday, I pop out of bed at 5:15 a.m. and rush to a job located 20 miles from my home. Since my husband has battled chronic kidney disease and endured two kidney transplants, my family depends on the health insurance and steady pay my job provides. 

Balancing two jobs has forced me to be disciplined when I am on deadline. Only once in my writing career have I asked for a deadline extension. My remaining books have been submitted to my editor either on time or early.

In order to meet my deadlines, I follow these rules:

1. Keep a calendar

I carry an old-fashioned day planner with a list of my upcoming deadlines taped in the back. Aside from the dates my books are due to my editor, I also set my own deadlines, building in time to polish the book before submitting it.

2. Stay organized

Most authors fall into one of two categories: Pantsers (seat-of-the pants writers) or Plotters. I am most definitely a plotter. When I write a novel, I begin with a synopsis, and after my editor approves it, I turn the synopsis into a detailed outline arranged by chapter and scene. While writing, I use the outline as a road map to prevent the dreaded writer’s block. The outline will change and grow while I am writing, but it keeps me on track.

3. Write whenever possible!

Some nights I write until midnight. I work on weekends, and I’ve been known to bring my laptop to Urgent Care and the Emergency Room when I’ve had to accompany a family member. It may seem trivial if you only have fifteen minutes, but even short amounts of writing time will add to your word count.

4. Ask for help

Contrary to the rumors, I’m not Super-Woman, and I can’t do it all on my own. I couldn’t balance this demanding schedule without my mother, who lives with my family and me. She keeps our household running so I can balance writing and working.

5. Find time to rest

When I need a break, I enjoy watching movies with my family, and I relish listening to audio books in my car while I commute to and from work. The downtime helps me relax and also recharges my inspiration.

6. Celebrate success

When I finish a draft of a book, I reward myself with doing something fun with my family. The journey through the first draft is mentally and physically exhausting, so I give myself time to relax and enjoy what I have accomplished.

Although working two jobs isn’t ideal and sometimes it’s no fun at all, I enjoy my reward when I hold a new book in my hands.

Even if you don't work another full-time job, how do you balance all that life and a writing career throw at you and still get in your word count goal?

~~~~~~

Amy Clipston is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than two dozen novels. She holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan College and works full-time for the City of Charlotte. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and three spoiled rotten cats.

Amy Clipston’s current book, The Courtship Basket, is the second in her new Amish Heirloom series.

The Juggling Act: Working Full-time and Writing by Amy Clipston

I have a tremendous amount of respect for authors who work other full-time jobs and still manage to keep up with writing responsibilities. Today, one of those authors, Amy Clipston, provides tips for those seeking a writing career while they work another job. -- Sandy

Amy: People often ask me, “How do you work a full-time job and write books?” I resist the urge to roll my eyes, and instead I sweetly reply, “I just make it work.”

Unlike many authors, I work a full-time for a local government, in addition to writing four books per year for HarperCollins Christian Publishing.

While other authors may write for 14 hours straight on a Monday, I pop out of bed at 5:15 a.m. and rush to a job located 20 miles from my home. Since my husband has battled chronic kidney disease and endured two kidney transplants, my family depends on the health insurance and steady pay my job provides.

Balancing two jobs has forced me to be disciplined when I am on deadline. Only once in my writing career have I asked for a deadline extension. My remaining books have been submitted to my editor either on time or early.

In order to meet my deadlines, I follow these rules:

1. Keep a calendar

I carry an old-fashioned day planner with a list of my upcoming deadlines taped in the back. Aside from the dates my books are due to my editor, I also set my own deadlines, building in time to polish the book before submitting it.

2. Stay organized

Most authors fall into one of two categories: Pantsers (seat-of-the pants writers) or Plotters. I am most definitely a plotter. When I write a novel, I begin with a synopsis, and after my editor approves it, I turn the synopsis into a detailed outline arranged by chapter and scene. While writing, I use the outline as a road map to prevent the dreaded writer’s block. The outline will change and grow while I am writing, but it keeps me on track.

3. Write whenever possible!

Some nights I write until midnight. I work on weekends, and I’ve been known to bring my laptop to Urgent Care and the Emergency Room when I’ve had to accompany a family member. It may seem trivial if you only have fifteen minutes, but even short amounts of writing time will add to your word count.

4. Ask for help

Contrary to the rumors, I’m not Super-Woman, and I can’t do it all on my own. I couldn’t balance this demanding schedule without my mother, who lives with my family and me. She keeps our household running so I can balance writing and working.

5. Find time to rest

When I need a break, I enjoy watching movies with my family, and I relish listening to audio books in my car while I commute to and from work. The downtime helps me relax and also recharges my inspiration.

6. Celebrate success

When I finish a draft of a book, I reward myself with doing something fun with my family. The journey through the first draft is mentally and physically exhausting, so I give myself time to relax and enjoy what I have accomplished.

Although working two jobs isn’t ideal and sometimes it’s no fun at all, I enjoy my reward when I hold a new book in my hands.

Even if you don't work another full-time job, how do you balance all that life and a writing career throw at you and still get in your word count goal?

~~~~~~

Amy Clipston is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than two dozen novels. She holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan College and works full-time for the City of Charlotte. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and three spoiled rotten cats.

Amy Clipston’s current book, The Courtship Basket, is the second in her new Amish Heirloom series.

How Writing Found Me by Amy Clipston

Welcome to Fortifying Friday! Last week on our Writer’s Journey Wednesday, author Amy Clipston gave us “Eleven Steps to Fighting Writer’s Block.” Today she returns to share her journey to publication. Enjoy!

How Writing Found Me

I often mention that my writing career began when I wrote and shared silly stories with a close friend in elementary school. While writing was second nature to me, I never considered being a writer. Instead, I spent time dreaming of becoming a teacher, veterinarian, or nurse.

In junior high and high school, my books turned into “fan fiction,” which were stories based on my favorite television shows and movies. However, I still didn’t call myself a writer or plan to pen books people would want to buy.

My fan fiction hobby continued as my way to escape stress while I was in college and into my adult life. I shared my stories with a close friend but hid my pastime from my husband. I didn’t dare tell him I was writing because I was afraid he would be disappointed in me, which was ludicrous. My husband has always supported me, but I was uncomfortable with my writing passion.

While searching for a professional technical writer/editor organization to join for work, I happened upon Chesapeake Romance Writers, a local chapter of Romance Writers of America. After attending a meeting, I realized I had a suppressed desire to become a writer. The realization was life changing, and my silly stories soon transformed into novels.

My new friends at Chesapeake Romance Writers taught me how to plot and write marketable books. After I completed my first novel, my friends advised me on the process of finding a literary agent. In 2005, I signed with my agent, Mary Sue Seymour, and she and I began our journey of pedaling my creations. At that time, I was writing romance novels.

When I made the switch to inspirational books, I found my niche. As a lifelong Christian, the transition was comfortable and it felt like my calling. I had always felt a connection to the Amish. My father, who immigrated to the United States with his parents and siblings in 1929, told me the Amish speak my family’s dialect of German. Since I grew up in New Jersey, I had visited Lancaster County as a child and my fascination with the Amish way of life grew.

After researching the culture, I was inspired to create my own book series. I formed a close friendship with an Amish woman during my research, and she critiques my stories. My dream of the Kauffman Amish Bakery Series came true when Zondervan offered me a contract in late 2007.

Holding my first book, A Gift of Grace, in my hands was a dream come true; however, seeing A Gift of Grace and then my second book, A Promise of Hope, hit all three Christian Best Seller lists was surreal. I’m thankful to my agent, Zondervan, and my readers for choosing my books.

The Kauffman Amish Bakery Series will include six full-length novels along with Christmas novellas. A Plain & Simple Christmas will debut in August, followed by A Place of Peace, book three in the series, in December.



Bestselling author Amy Clipston has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her fiction writing "career" began in elementary school in New Jersey when she and a close friend wrote and shared silly stories. Amy’s book, A Gift of Grace, the first in her Kauffman Amish Bakery Series debuted with Zondervan in May 2009. A Promise of Hope, the second book in The Kauffman Amish Bakery Series, hit bookshelves in April 2010 and will be followed by two more Kauffman books in 2010, A Plain & Simple Christmas in July and A Place of Peace in December.

Amy is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She holds a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan College and works for the City of Charlotte. Amy lives with her husband, Joe; two sons, Zac and Matt; mother, Lola; and three spoiled rotten cats, Molly, Rico, and Jet.

To learn more about Amy and her books, please visit these links:
http://www.amyclipston.com/
http://www.amyclipston.blogspot.com/
http://www.amishhearts.com/
www.facebook.com/amy.clipston

Eleven Steps to Fighting Writer’s Block! by Amy Clipston

Welcome back to another Writer’s Journey Wednesday! (Dawn here!) As we move into spring, sunshine, and warmer temperatures, I’m getting more energized and inspired to work on my WIP. How about you? However, no matter what the weather looks like, or what deadline looms over our heads, there are days when a blank screen stares back at us. Author Amy Clipston joins us today to share her tips on how to deal with writer’s block. You might want to keep this list handy!

Eleven Steps to Fighting Writer's Block!

You’re working on your novel, the best book you’ve ever plotted. You’ve crafted a fabulous synopsis, and you fleshed out a detailed outline. The characters come alive, and the description flows from your fingertips. You quickly bang out 100 pages. Suddenly, the words stop.

It’s the dreaded Writer’s Block!

When I was writing A Promise of Hope, I experienced writer’s block. In order to get my writing back on track, I had to give up some old habits hindering my muse. While evaluating where I’d gone wrong, I comprised a list of rules to help fight writer’s block.

1. Turn off the TV.
My addictions include Diet Coke, popcorn, and chick flicks. I needed to force myself to turn off the television. It’s amazing how much more I accomplish when not only writing during commercials.

2. Write while the kids are sleeping.
I’ve tried to write on the deck with the kids in the yard. Usually, I’d find my voice and then a fistfight will break out between my angels. The lesson – don’t try to weave your best fiction in the presence of children.

3. Choose a quiet setting.
My favorite “office” is lounging on my bed with my lap desk.

4. Don’t stop at the end of a chapter or scene.
A bestselling author gave the best advice– never stop at the end of a chapter. Stop writing in the middle of a scene to keep your subconscious working until you return to the computer.

5. When stuck, review your work.
Unfortunately, #4 isn’t always successful. When that happens, reread a chapter or two to submerge yourself in the story to get your creative juices flowing again.

6. Don’t get bogged down in rewrites.
Be careful with #5 or you’ll find yourself trapped in the endless circle of editing. Worry about getting the first draft written and then go back and edit.

7. Start with small goals small and build.
Don’t push yourself to write 100 pages per week if five per day are most comfortable for you. Determine what works best for you and stick to it. However, give yourself a break, too. We all need to recharge our batteries once in a while. Find your balance so you don’t take a long vacation and wind up behind in your schedule.

8. Stick to a schedule.
If you do your best work early in the morning, set your alarm clock and go for it. My writing time starts once the kids are in bed. I’ve been known to stay up until midnight.

9. Stay off the ‘Net!
Two years ago my router died, and I was without wireless for two weeks. I was very productive.

10. Call for help!
If your ideas just aren’t flowing, call your best plotting partner. Your friend may offer ideas and angles to your stories that never occurred to you.

11. Read!
The best way to polish your skills and find inspiration is by reading other authors.

Bestselling author Amy Clipston has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her fiction writing "career" began in elementary school in New Jersey when she and a close friend wrote and shared silly stories. Amy’s book, A Gift of Grace, the first in her Kauffman Amish Bakery Series debuted with Zondervan in May 2009. A Promise of Hope, the second book in The Kauffman Amish Bakery Series, hit bookshelves in April 2010 and will be followed by two more Kauffman books in 2010, A Plain & Simple Christmas in July and A Place of Peace in December.

Amy is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She holds a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan College and works for the City of Charlotte. Amy lives with her husband, Joe; two sons, Zac and Matt; mother, Lola; and three spoiled rotten cats, Molly, Rico, and Jet.

To learn more about Amy and her books, please visit these links:
http://www.amyclipston.com/
http://www.amyclipston.blogspot.com/
http://www.amishhearts.com/
www.facebook.com/amy.clipston