Working and Writing Full-time If I Can, You Can

I began writing my first novel in 1997. Six years,computer every night at 9 PM, Sunday through
five drafts (give or take), two sons, and oneThursday, and worked until midnight or 1 AM. I did
major surgery later it was finally complete. Thenthis religiously for six years, sometimes working
it took another two years to get Cryptidseven days straight.
published and on bookstore shelves. And don'tI took a two-year commercial fiction course at
even ask how much Cryptid has earned me. Thethe University of Washington. I was part of a
gravy train is certainly gaining speed, but don'tweekly critique group for three years. I immersed
ever fool yourself that writing novels is amyself in the craft. I did everything I could to
get-rich-quick scheme. Even the big boys likemake myself the best craftsman possible. Does
Crichton, Koontz, and Cussler will tell you that. Thethat help?
best-case scenario is a get-rich-slow—eternallyNo, I'm sure it doesn't, because you're not me.
slow—scheme. Which is to say, don't quit yourYou will not be able to work at the craft in the
day job.same way I do. You may work a double shift for
Ah, but then where does one find the time,the Man and the Woman and not be able to write
resources, energy, and muse to write afterfrom 9 PM to 1 AM every night. So here's the
coming home from slaving for the Man (oranswer you're really after, though you're not
Woman) all day?going to like it because it means there's no short
Well, that's the million-dollar question. Actually, it'scut, no magic recipe that you can simply follow
only half the question. The whole question isand be assured success.
where does one find the time, resources, energy,You see, the million-dollar answer is that I quit.
and muse to write after working all day... and thenOr at least I tried to; many, many times I tried
cooking dinner, doing the dishes, helping the kidsto. But I couldn't. You know why? Because writing
with their homework, paying bills, cutting theis not something I do, it is something I am. I'm a
grass, washing the cars, checking your email,writer. So there is no quitting. I cannot quit being
doing your nails, going for a run, seeing a movie,who I am. I can only accept who I am. And once
getting the flu, finishing your degree... need I goI did, I never failed to find time to write. My cars
on?may not sparkle, I hired someone to cut the
We all have twenty-four hours in the day, evengrass, and I often sleep less than eight hours a
the big boys like Crichton, Koontz, and Cussler.night, but I write.
Life happens to us all. Just ask Stephen King whatSo my advise to you is to quit. And if you can,
a crimp his car accident put on his writing.then you're not a writer. It's OK. Not everyone is.
We all have a list of reasons to not write. They'reThen find out what you are and do that, but don't
not excuses, really. Life doesn't leave much roomgo back to writing. The craft is too hard and the
for excuses. So don't add guilt to that list. Butrewards too slow in coming to labor at it unless
that doesn't change the fact that you've onlyyou have to. And writers have to.
written a thousand words in the past six weeks,However, if you can't quit then you are a writer.
does it? Then what's the answer? How did I doAnd once you realize that you can only find joy in
it?life if writing is a part of your life, then you will
Well, it took me six years. So one answer isfind the time. I promise you. And it won't be my
simply that I didn't quit. Little-by-little, day-by-day,way; it'll be your way. Just don't quit your day job.
year-by-year I worked at it until it was done. ButIt may not be who you are, but it will pay the bills
be more specific. Exactly how did I find the time?until who you are is a writer whose name is listed
OK, well another answer is that I woke myin the same sentence with the big boys.