Writing is My Job, Really by Sherri Shackelford

Sherri Shackleford

Have you experienced situations where people haven’t understood that being a writer doesn’t mean you have a hobby or that you have countless hours of free time?  Take encouragement from the fact that you’re not alone! Author Sherri Shackleford shares a personal experience.  ~ Dawn

Writing is My Job, Really

My husband has always been wonderful about my writing career. He was supportive during the four years when I was writing and earning no money. He was supportive after I finally published and started earning a little bit of money. He respects my writing time, and he encourages me to attend conferences—even though conferences can be expensive.

Recently, though, I had to explain that Writing Is My Job, Really. 

I had a super tight deadline. I was behind on the book when my editor asked me to participate in another project. The timing meant I needed my current book signed, sealed and delivered ASAP. Unfortunately, I was writing one of THOSE books. You know THAT book. The one that just won’t come together no matter how hard you try?

The deadline was looming and I had a long…long…long way to go. Despite everything, the kids were in school and I had my time blocked down to the minute. I could make the deadline if I worked hard. Then my youngest son caught the flu. There was no way I was making my deadline while watching a sick kid.

I told my husband I had to work, and he took the day off. Great, right? Then he said, “Don’t go on Facebook or anything. I told everyone at work you were sick.”

Whaaaaat?

Um. No. I’m not sick. I’m working.

When the kids are sick, or have appointments, or have days off school—I handle things. Sure, my job is more flexible, I work from home, and I make about 1/10th of my husband’s income. No problem. 

But writing is a job. It’s my job. Really.

That’s when my husband and I had a talk. Even though my job is flexible and creative, it IS a job. I have people who count on me: editors, agents, art departments. My job is work. If someone thinks it’s not work, then I dare that person to write a 70,000-word book in two months. Trust me, it’s work.

If I were a doctor who had to stay late, or an engineer with a big project, or an accountant during tax season, he wouldn’t say I was ‘sick’. He’d say, “Sherri can’t take the time off work right now. She’s really swamped. I have to stay home with my sick child.”

But a writer with a deadline? Nope. That doesn’t count. She’s sick.

I have deadlines, on average, two or three times a year. Okay, usually two times a year. Let’s be honest. I’m one of those people who works right up until the deadline. I can always fix or rework something. The manuscript must be pried out of my fingers, or I’ll never let go. Twice a year, I’m swamped with work.

I realize I’m not Dan Brown or JK Rowling or Stephen King, but here’s what I asked my husband. “Do you think Tabitha King has would ever call in and said, “Stephen is sick” instead of “Stephen has a deadline”? If I was an accountant during tax season would you say, “Sherri is sick” or “Sherri can’t take time off work right now”?

As an author and a woman, I fight two battles. I fight the battle of being the primary care giver of the children, and I fight for respect of my job. A job a lot of people don’t always take seriously. After our talk, I think my husband had one of those ‘lightbulb’ moments. I think we’re on the right track again.

Writing is a job. It’s my job. Really.

I’m not sick. I’m working. 

The Engagement Bargain

The Engagement Bargain

Make-believe betrothal

Rock-solid and reliable, confirmed bachelor Caleb McCoy thought nothing could rattle him—until he discovers he needs to pose as Anna Bishop's intended groom. After saving her life, his honorable code bid Caleb watch over the innocent beauty. And a pretend engagement is the only way to protect her from further harm.

Raised by a single mother and suffragist, Anna doesn't think much of marriage—and she certainly doesn't plan to try it herself. But playing Caleb's blushing bride-to-be makes her rethink her independent ways, because their make-believe romance is becoming far too real…

 Prairie Courtships: Romance on the range

Sherri Shackelford is an award-winning author of inspirational, Christian romance novels for her dream publisher, Harlequin.

 A wife and mother of three, Sherri’s hobbies include collecting mismatched socks, discovering new ways to avoid cleaning, and standing in the middle of the room while thinking, “Why did I just come in here?” A reformed pessimist and recent hopeful romantic, Sherri has a passion for writing. Her books are fun and fast-paced, with plenty of heart and soul.

Sherri is putting the final touches on three more books for her Cimarron Springs series, and will release all the details as soon as they are available.

You can learn more and connect with Sherri at these sites:

Website: http://www.sherrishackelford.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SherriShackelfordAuthor       

Twitter: https://twitter.com/smshackelford

 

Can Life Get Any Crazier? by Lacy Williams

Lacy Williams

My family welcomed a new addition this year: our youngest daughter was born in March. My husband and I also have an almost-four-year-old girl and a two-year-old boy.

My mom thinks I am a little nuts to try to balance a writing career with the little ones at home, but I don't see it much differently than having a part-time job outside the home. And there are some days that my characters and writing is the only thing keeping me sane.

I'd love to share some tips on how I get things done. These may not work for everyone, but they do work for me.

1) When I do get writing time, either after bedtime or when I have a babysitter, my focus is all on writing. No email. No social media. No goofing off.

2) I try to keep realistic deadlines. This has been a learning process for me working with my publisher. For some reason, my kids always seem to get sick the week before my deadline is up. So I've learned to plan for a few extra weeks for each deadline within the contract. I've also learned to work ahead, and not procrastinate until the last minute--unless I want to be up all night finishing the book (which I've had to do a couple of times).

3) Count on others. This has been a big one for me. I'm an independent person who doesn't like to lean on others much, but I've had to ask for help from family to watch the kids or let my husband know when it was his time to put the kids in bed.

4) Enjoy the small moments. It's a constant balancing act to remember that my needs and goals aren't the only ones that matter. I want to spend time with my kiddos now while they're small, and not miss those little moments like when my son blew his first bubbles or the littlest one learning to roll over for the first time. The first laugh. First ballet class. I think a lot of parents share this same struggle, because on one hand we have to put food on the table, but we all need to learn to slow down and enjoy the small moments.

For our family this year, that meant taking a family vacation (we invited my parents and sister since we were outnumbered by kids!). What a fun time to slow down, spend time together and do things we haven't done in awhile. We visited a theme park and hubby and I got to sneak away to ride a big roller coaster--something I haven't done since before the kids came, but it was like having a few moments of my own childhood back to go on the exhilerating ride.

I'm certainly not perfect at balancing my priorities, but it is something I've been working on!

Dora here. What about you? 

Do you struggle with balancing writing and family life?

Maybe a full-time job, too?

How do you balance everything?

Roping the Wrangler
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Teacher Seeks a Husband
Schoolmarm Sarah Hansen longs for a family of her own. But horse trainer Oscar White is the last man she'd consider. Still, she can't help noticing the care he shows three motherless girls and the gentle way he helps Sarah overcome her fear of horses.

Too bossy by half—that's the Sarah that Oscar remembers from their teenage years. Yet as a former orphan, he finds the little Caldwell sisters—and their pretty teacher—getting under his skin. Could the tender heart Sarah's always hidden tame a once-reckless wrangler?

Meet Lacy: By day, Lacy Williams is a stay-at-home mom battling dirty diapers and dog-hair dust-bunnies. By night, she is an award-winning novelist. She loves dogs, chocolate ice cream, romantic movies and her number-crunching husband. Her most recent book, ROPING THE WRANGLER, comes out in August from Love Inspired Historical. http://www.lacywilliams.net

Writing for Different Publishers by Shirlee McCoy

Shirlee McCoy

July marks the release of my 27th book for Love Inspired Suspense. In November of this year, my first small town romance will be published by Kensington Publication. It’s the first in a three book series set in Apple Valley, Washington. After nearly ten years writing exclusively for Harlequin, it is strange and exciting to write for another publishing house. I wouldn’t exactly call this new venture a change in direction. I will, after all, continue to write Love Inspired Suspense books. It’s more the next step in a plan I set in motion when I first got published. I’ve always wanted to write longer books, and Kensington has given me the opportunity to do that.

A few of my readers have asked me what the difference is between what I write for Harlequin and what I’m publishing with Kensington. It really boils down to this – My Love Inspired Suspense books are Christian romantic suspense. My Kensington books are sweet small town romances. While each character in my Love Inspired books embarks on a faith journey, my Kensington books are not necessarily about Christians. While the characters are often searching for deeper meaning in life, there isn’t an overt faith message. There’s also a significant difference in word count. My Love Inspired books are between 55 and 60 thousand words. My Kensington books are 80K. For readers, that’s the difference between a book that’s approximately 220 pages and one that is approximately 350.

I could say more about how the books differ, but there are also ways that they are similar. No matter what publishing house I’m writing for, I explore the relationships that define us. In every book, my characters must come to terms with their pasts in order to embrace their futures. This often means forgiving and moving on, learning to trust again, believing that love can exist a second time around. Each of my characters is on a quest to find the things that all humans desire – love and acceptance, meaning and purpose. So, while the genres are different, the themes are very similar.

And, of course, the enjoyment I get from writing them is always the same!

Dora here.  Do you write for different publishers?

Care to share your experiences?

Defender for Hire
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Someone was watching her…

No matter how many times Tessa Camry moves, her mysterious tormentor always finds her… and leaves a grim reminder of all she’s lost. But, this year, no longer content to deliver roses, her stalker wants her dead. When former soldier Seth Sinclair becomes her bodyguard, he encourages her to stand her ground, even if it means letting go of long-held secrets. Seth realizes that Tessa may be his second chance at love, but their future depends on finding the man determined that Tessa never forgets the past. 

Award winning author Shirlee McCoy has published 27 books with Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense. Along with writing inspirational romantic suspense, Shirlee writes small town romance for Kensington. A homeschooling mother to five, she lives in the beautiful inland Northwest with her husband, three teenage sons, two tween daughters, a dog, two cats and a bird. Needless to say, her life is never boring!

The first book in her Apple Valley series, The House on Main Street, will be out in November 2013.  Holiday Hero, her twenty-eighth title with Love Inspired Suspense, releases the same month.