Anyone who earns money from writing will tell you that writing is work like any other occupation. I don't feel guilty when I'm working at the day job, so why do I feel self-indulgent and lazy when I write?
Could it be because something that's this much fun shouldn't be classed as work?
I once sold cars for a living. And when I say once, I mean I lasted one week - and that included the residential training course. But one point made by our very entertaining trainer has stuck with me over the past twenty years: To be truly successful and wealthy, you must find a job you love above any other. That way leisure and work become one and the same thing - so, effectively, you spend your life at work, but it feels like you're at play.
So, I'm going to let go of writer's guilt and write when I can. And wait for success to follow.
Oh I absolutely agree. And I tell myself that every day when I sit down to write instead of cleaning the loo/oven/doing the ironing :-)
ReplyDeleteI love your name, Suzanna, and the advice really is priceless, isn't it? I'll live with the guilt, so long as I can write, write, write!
ReplyDeleteI love this quote from Harding Lawrence: "Don't set compensation as a goal. Find work you like, and the compensation will follow. "
ReplyDeleteYou definitely shouldn't feel guilty about putting writing before housework, Jo.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Maya. Me too.
That's a great quote, Romy - and very true.
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