Published Authors Forum

Subject: Writing Day Sat May 17, 2008 5:48 pm

In order to answer Sue's questions from a different thread, I thought this would help. Sue asked what I meant about the fact that I write all day, and what that entailed.

I do write full time, which these days is 40-50 hours per week, mainly as a technical writer. I write courses for trainers to go and teach, I write company manuals, procedures and policy. I ghostwrite speeches and presentations. I edit those same kinds of materials for other writers (it's tough to edit your own stuff, so I try not to). I also blog and am working on several fairly hefty personal projects right now.

In between, I am a professional speaker (conferences etc), and so I also hang around people who speak and write a lot. When they ask for help, I offer them my fee guide. Smile

I speak about and help people find their way in the world and create the life that desire, and am in the midst of re-branding my company so that I can do more of that.

I have sequestered myself away for a few weeks at a time to work on really big stuff-like the PhD, and the first crack at my novel-but that is not a lifestyle that I particularly like--it's way too lonely for me.

My husband used to be a big distraction, but I no longer have that issue to deal with. No, I didn't kill 'im, I divorced him. Well, two of them actually, the poor sods. My daughter and my sister are both quite good about giving me the time to work, although we did have to discuss what that meant for all of us.

I generally start working between 0800 and 0900 (depending on when I get up), and go until about 1500. Then I stop, do some farting around about the house and make supper. Two-three evenings a week I am generally working (research mainly) or coaching clients, and the others I like to hang out with my family, read, play music or veg in front of the TV. Tonight my sister and I are driving an hour and a half to the Annapolis Valley for a concert, which will be an absolute blast. It's folk music, which out here often includes a fiddle, irish whistle and in this case, ukulele and cello. flower

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Pam Robertson

I've done some updating
www.mvpi.org and www.maggiebendar.com

Subject: Re: Writing Day Sat May 17, 2008 7:21 pm

Thank you so much, Pam, for this insight into your life! It appears so structured. So guess I am going to have to back to the drawing board for that. Lack of consistency is another fault of mine.

I do intuitive consulting from my home via phone and internet, as well as face-to-face. Recently a new element has been thrown into the mix and is definitely distracting. I am working on 2 missing persons/murder cases for our local authorities.

I would love to get into doing presentations but have no idea the people to contact in my areas of expertise. I know that would help to get my book in the hands of others as well. I did submit a media kit to an organization but they won't be looking at it or making any decisions until this summer and it will be for presentations in 2009. I would love to get started on some presentations for the coming year as well as for 2008.

Time management is my problem. I just realized that as I was typing the last paragraph. I have different sleep hours than others and that too interferes with writing and being interrupted. I go to bed about 3am and get up about 9 or 10 am... sometimes noon. By then hubby has put in about a 1/2 day and wants attention. Ok, not going into all the other stuff. *grin*

Anyway, to cut this short. Yes, I know I am long-winded. Thank you again, Pam! I do appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to help me.
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Subject: Re: Writing Day Sat May 17, 2008 8:52 pm

Your work sounds so familiar, Pam. I worked as a technical writer between 1980 and 2001, and it was a 40+ hours per week kind of job. One had little time to wait around for his or her muse to speak.

Malcolm

Visit my Writer's Notebook at: http://jockstewart.typepad.com/writers_notebook/
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Malcolm R. Campbell
I invite you to stop by my Writer's Notebook blog at http://jockstewart.typepad.com/writers_notebook/ and say cool stuff about writing and visit me on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/mythrider

Subject: Re: Writing Day Sun May 18, 2008 3:41 am

You are so right Malcolm; things have to be written and it's going to get done by me...or someone else! Sue, that's the reason for the structure, otherwise I won't get it done and so I approach it like a conventional job, even though I do not have one.

PS I am grateful not to have a conventional job, just as my former bosses are grateful not to have me. It took my a while to work out, but I am really okay with all of it!

PPS If you'd like to learn about presenting, contact a local chapter for Toastmasters; they are an very effective way to get started. In addition, the NSA (National Speakers' Association) is the place to go learn to build a speaking business. You'll also find lots of people who write at NSA and have learned all ways to market themselves and their material. They have tons of information on their website. Good luck!
_________________
Pam Robertson

I've done some updating
www.mvpi.org and www.maggiebendar.com

Subject: Re: Writing Day Sun May 18, 2008 5:52 am

:: The Elf skips into this thread and then shudders at the scary words: structured, professional, 50 hour work work.

She decides to dash away in case it is contagious. ::
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~ JoElle

Live like you mean it!
"Go not to the elves for counsel, for they will say both yes and no" - Tolkein
www.joellemartin.com
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Subject: Re: Writing Day Sun May 18, 2008 6:08 am

Sooo, after my son was born I was a stay at home mom until he started school. Then I became a professional job hopper.

I worked in child care, taught airline reservations, was an endoscopy technician, dialysis technician, a unit clerk for an ER, was an airline ramp supervisor, an aircraft fueler, worked in catering, worked for a rental car agency (two different ones actually), supervised an E-commerce department, cleaned houses, worked at a print shop, and did some other stuff in between.

What I discovered was that once I learned a new skill and could do a new job it soon became routine. Routine drives me nuts. The only past job I had that wasn't routine was in the Emergency Department. I did like that job and only left because we moved from California to Nevada.

Sooo, why am I writing all this?

Oh, yeah!

I love my current job (been at it almost six years, that is a record for me) because each day is an unknown and I love that. So, my writing day is just as unpredicatable. I pretty much write whenever I am not driving or sleeping. It just wouldn't be a good idea to combine it with either of those activities, you know? Shocked

_________________
~ JoElle

Live like you mean it!
"Go not to the elves for counsel, for they will say both yes and no" - Tolkein
www.joellemartin.com
www.earthhoroscopes.com

Subject: Re: Writing Day Sun May 18, 2008 8:43 am

Pam wrote:
"My husband used to be a big distraction, but I
no longer have that issue to deal with. No, I didn't kill 'im, I
divorced him. Well, two of them actually, the poor sods."

I see that you wrote them right out of your life. I don't suppose "The pen being mightier than the sword" applies here though. lol!

Busy people get things done, and PAM, you are proving that. Shelagh is another person that appears to be extremely active. And with all the activity, workaholics take time for the important things in their lives. That time becomes "quality" time. When others don't share the same ambitions or are at least supportive of those ambitions, they become less important in one's life.

Having goals to strive for, something you really want to accomplish, is the driving force to achievement. Without a goal one is like a ship without a rudder, aimlessly drifting. These are people who place their hope on winning the lottery.
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Subject: Re: Writing Day Sun May 18, 2008 1:47 pm

So true Abe--I have long said that the great Canadian retirement plan (to win the lottery) just wasn't for me...as other things also weren't for me Very Happy

Last night was a night out for my sister and I; we went to see a concert in a little place over an hours drive from here. James Hill on ukulele-- such a gas!

One note Samba

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO7spLjad3k&feature=related

Ode to a Frozen Boot (I'll explain the title later if anyone wants)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsOhmN2mpHI&feature=related
_________________
Pam Robertson

I've done some updating
www.mvpi.org and www.maggiebendar.com

Subject: Re: Writing Day Sun May 18, 2008 2:56 pm

Subject: Re: Writing Day Sun May 18, 2008 3:07 pm

Subject: Re: Writing Day Sun May 18, 2008 9:12 pm

In the past it was easier for me to just give into hubby, because I didn't want to deal with his attitude. The past year or so I have been able to stand up and say NO, I have to get this done NOW. I have put him on hold quite a bit lately. I think he is getting use to it. I told him if he wanted me to make money doing this then he had to let me do it and quit stealing my time. (The money angle always works with him. Even though I know better, he doesn't.)

Also, I get things done. Just not maybe when I want it done. I am learning to let go of that control too. Things seem to work out in the time it is suppose to work out.

I appreciate everyone sharing here on this thread. It is a thinking thread for me.
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http://suesunshine.blogspot.com/
http://suesunshine.wordpress.com/