Queen of My Kingdom: Writing Isn't My Hobby

Writing is not my hobby. I say this at least once-a-week to my children. For whatever reason, it's something my boys just can't grasp. It may be because it's work I do from home. It may be because for as long as they can remember -I stopped working full-time when Peanut was three, Sport was two and Noodle wasn't even born- my life has been focused on them. Or it might just be because they liked it that way so much, they want to keep things the status quo. I might not know the reason but one thing is for certain. Writing is not my hobby. It's my work, and its important we treat it that way in our family.

This mean a few different things. First, I'm not locked in my office all day ignoring my children and doing something fun. I am working. Writing is not always fun, definitely not relaxing and comforting. It's a demanding job, even though it's one I love. My characters are nearly as loud as my children on most days if I don't give them attention. I have to give time to my work, as much as I give time to my children.

That said, I need to put aside my work, leave my office and shut down to be with my family. Sometimes this is difficult (remember those screaming characters!?) but if I set aside time for my children and give them my undivided attention, it makes accepting my time focused on work easier for them to accept. Sharing me with my job may just be easier to accept than sharing me with my hobby.

You know that old saying "if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy"? Well, there's some truth to it. Our attitude and stress level affect our families. Writing -my job- can be stressful. Since my children inherently believe that writing is my hobby, they don't understand it can be stressful. I mean, hobbies aren't stressful, are they? Meeting deadlines, keeping up daily word counts, juggling a draft manuscript at the same time as copy edits for another book all while doing the primary work on the book's marketing. Those are the parts of my job beyond their understanding.

Here's what they can understand... when we make a special purchase paid for through my book sales, I mention this treat is courtesy of mommy's job. Then for a few days, they don't have to be reminded that writing is not my hobby.

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