Deadly Guest: Wynter Daniels Back to Blog
Update: Wynter’s winner is…Nancy G! Congrats, Nancy!
Today’s guest is the talented Wynter Daniels–and she has offered to give one commenter a copy (download) of the Wynter Daniels book of his/her choice! So read on, learn what Wynter hates most about being a writer–and you might be today’s Deadly winner!
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What I hate most about being a writer
I’ve read tons of blog posts where authors enumerate the many perks of the trade. Things like working from home, making your own hours, doing what you love, having an outlet for your creativity. I’m sure you’ve read some of those posts, too.
But what about the other side? It’s not an easy path and it’s definitely not for the hopelessly impatient because a writer can spend months or years waiting to hear about a project being accepted. Or worse, not being accepted.
For me, one of the few negatives about this profession is that the time I used to spend reading for pleasure—one of the pursuits I love most in the world—has been drastically reduced.
Why, you ask? My answer is complex so bear with me. I write until my daughter gets home from school in the afternoon. After I spend time with her, I return to the computer and usually edit because I can’t be particularly creative with the pounding rap music beat that seems to bleed through the walls even when she is several rooms away. (And frankly, it makes my muse run and hide!)
Aside from family and home obligations, there are the writer obligations. When I want to gear a book to a particular publisher or line, I must read what that line is putting out. Not that I don’t enjoy that reading, but it’s have-to reading. Aside from that, I like to pop in to Facebook and Twitter and the numerous blogs I subscribe to so I can keep up with what is going on the publishing world and the lives of my writer and reader buddies. This is a must since writing is such a solitary pursuit and I am a social person by nature. Then there are edits. I don’t mind doing edits. Actually, I sort of enjoy them. Regardless—they are another requirement, a high priority one.
Friends sometimes give me books as gifts or I might purchase something one of my writer buddies penned. Unfortunately it takes me months or longer to get to those for-pleasure books. So you see, I don’t have enough time to indulge in an afternoon on the couch very often, lost in a world of zombies or vampires or secret agents. But every now and them I steal away for a decadent treat—a purely-for-pleasure read. I have to. That’s what it’s all about. The beautiful thing is, reading any book can be construed as research. All in all, I have the best job in the whole world and I love it.
So go ahead. Take a couple hours and do your homework. I promise you’ll feel better if you do.
Thanks to the lovely and talented Cynthia Eden for inviting me over today. Her books are some of my very favorite indulgences!
Wynter’s bio: Wynter Daniels lives in Central Florida with her husband of more than twenty years and their two nearly grown children. They are all the slaves of two very demanding cats.
After careers in marketing and the salon industry, Wynter’s wicked prose begged to be set free. She currently writes spicy contemporary stories for Ellora’s Cave, Red Sage Publishing and Loose Id.
You can find Wynter on the web at www.wynterdaniels.com or at the Naughty Author Chicks.
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I Have Never Heard Of The Down Side Of Writing. I Have Always Loved Writing and Have Always Wanted To Be A Writer But I Never Thought Far Enough Ahead To Realize Just HOW Much Work Goes Into Creating A Book never Mind The Fact That My Love For Reading Would Be Compromised. Even With That Being Said I Think I Would Still Love To Write. Thank You So Much Wynter For Letting Me Truly See The Other Side Of Writing.
Thanks, Raquel. It’s probably a matter of better time management;-) I love that the school year is over now. When my daughter is away at camp, I camp out on the couch a couple hours a day and get to read. Two books inhaled already this week. Yeah!!
Hi Wynter,
I can understand where you are coming from completely. When I quit my job many moons ago to be a stay at home mom I found it actually took me longer to get things done than when I was working outside the house. Time management maybe – but lots of other things creep up too when people know you’re home. I appreciate that you authors find the time to write. My youngest just graduated HS so I now have more time to read and am really enjoying it. Thank you.
That’s so true, Viki. When people know you are home they assume you are free. I often turn off the ringer on the phone so I can write or read, my two favorite things to do!
Hi, Wynter! Thanks for guest posting with me! And, oh, I feel your pain. I miss that reading time, too!! Now I do reward reading time. If I meet page goals, I get to read. 🙂
I don’t have the fortitude to write an entire book. I start, get a few chapters into it, and put it away, never to return to it. I start books but can’t seem to finish them.
Saving time for myself to enjoy stuff… lately I seem to have to pick and choose what I have time for… stay up later to enjoy a book, or spend my time with tv or a movie… pick and choose…
Cynthia – reward reading time is a great idea. I think I will do that.
Marlene – I think that’s how a lot of writers begin! My first “book” was a short story. The shorter length means you can finish it and soak up all that satisfaction;-) Good luck.
Hi Wynter,
Great post! I’m an avid reader and it is interesting for me to hear what a writer goes through to get a book out. As a reader I am amazed at what you can write, it seems so effortless. Thanks for sharing some insight into your world, shows that no matter what job you have there are ups and downs to everything 🙂
It’s good to know both sides of the industry, the good and the bad.
Thanks, Michele. There’s definitely more to writing a book than meets the eye, but it is incredibly rewarding to hold that book in your hand or get a fan letter – nothing like it!
Hi Jane – I guess every job has up and downs.
I find this to be a similar problem for me….the more time I spend reviewing, the less time spent reading my fun books. I’m a great manager of time and still have trouble getting time to read my books. The problem I think is more learning to say no.
Hi! How do you manage to work by yourself? Right now, I’m working from home and I’m so desperate for conversation that I’d ask the sales clerks at the supermarket for items just to have someone to talk to.
I enjoyed the post. I learn something new every day.
That cover is soo hot!!!
Cories – I think the alone time and the lack of conversation can be a problem for some people. Maybe that’s why social networks are so huge;-) Like many writers I know, I have conversations in my head with my characters. Anyone but a writer would find that a little crazy, but it’s perfectly normal in the world of writers!
Oh, I miss my reading time, too! When I used to commute on the subway, I got a lot of reading done, but now I no longer have that, and I somehow can’t seem to shoe horn that time back into my day.
I can fully understand the sentiment. I am an avid reader, and do reviews for one of the online sites. I love doing it, but sometimes want to just read a book without thinking about why I like it. Plus, I am finally writing the story that has been floating around in my head for months, and every time it gets going, I have to go to the edj.
Which is exactly why my cell phone is currently off. It isn’t easy to find time for oneself.
I really enjoyed the post!! HOT cover!!! This looks like a great read!!!
Great post, Wynter! I would be afraid of anything cutting into my reading-for-pleasure time, so much that I’ve avoided even reviewing. However, we readers do appreciate the sacrifices you writers make, that’s for certain!
I’m the same way. Today I read about twenty minutes total. Before I started writing, I used to read a book a day. I miss that.
I think that is the reason I haven’t started writing myself. My reading time would be drastically cut and I LOVE reading!!! Anyways, there are far too many talented writers out there already who can give me my fix!!! Hehe!
Valerie
in Germany
valb0302@yahoo.com
Hey Wynter, I’m a day late but I totally agree! I really miss my reading time. I still read, just not as much as I wish. My tbr pile seems to keep growing and I’m barely putting a dent in it 🙂
Thanks for all the great comments. Seems I am not alone in my dilemma;-)