Back to work????

I'm not sure where to post this.
I've been trying to decide if I should take a job outside the home again or not. I have been out of work since last November, because of moving out of state and then trying my hand at the writing. I'd like to know how many of you are able to work and continue to write consistantly? And if you have any tips on how to be able to do this? I was writing while still working but not nearly as much as I do now and not getting very far with it.
Any ideas would be helpful.

Thanks,
Robin

I can only give you my opinion as it would apply to me. If I didn't HAVE to work, you can bet your sweet bibpee I wouldn't. But...on the other hand, if you feel that you have a need to work, or want to, then structure you writing time to gain the most from it. Like what is your peak time for writing? Are you fresher in the mornings or evenings? If it's mornings, for instance, then set aside whatever you can spare in the morning time to do nothing but write. Treat it like you would any other job and DO NOT let anything else interrupt that writing time.

If it's evenings, do the same thing. By structuring your time, you are writing consistently, and not taking anything away from your family, or your new job.

Personally, if I were in your shoes and didn't have to work, pigs would fly before I would take a job outside the home. I would be a writing fool if I had the time.

JJ

Thanks Jawjaw,
What I would be looking for from a job would be the benefits. Although they are offered at my husband's job, they are quite expensive for family plan. I'm hoping to find something part time but I've been through this before and it's hard to get good bennies part time.
I just really hate to give up my writing because I feel like I'm finally making a little progress with it. And believe it or not, today was the first time I told someone that I was a writer when asked what I do by a new aquaintance. I'm very torn by this. I do most of my writing in the morning and that would probably also be the best time for me to work. I have a 14 year old son and I prefer to be home when he gets home from school. (or as close to that time as possible) I guess I have some more soul searching to do before I commit to anything. Thanks for your input!

You know the best of both worlds would be to hold some kind of job in the home. Like teaching piano or something. But that wouldn't solve the benefit needs. I would say pray about it. But it's been my experience that most companies who hire part time people do so because they don't have to pay "part-time" employees benefits. Good luck and think positive!

JJ

I met a guy who has published more than thirty books while employed full time. He said he reported to work an hour and a half early every day and wrote for the entire time. He did it no matter whether he was inspired to write or not and he never missed a day except during vacations.
He kept a daily journal in which he recorded his mood, whether he was inspired to write, and what he wrote. He then anlayzed his writing with that information in mind and found absolutely no change in the quality of his writing relative to his mood and inspiration.

As to working from home, I assume you are primarily referring to health insurance benefits. Health insurance is available at reasonable prices through the Writer's Guild and the Dramatist Guild and other professional groups. If you decide to stay home and work for yourself, checking out any professional organizations might be an option.
If you want to do it, and you can do it, DO IT!!
smile

Thanks for the advice and encouragement, JJ and Smilinize!
I heard about a job yesterday that sounds like it might work. Unfortunately at this time they aren't in need of my services but I'm going to persue it. Yes, it is health benefits I'm the most concerned with.
SAS is a huge company in my town something like 4000 employees. I heard that you can work part time as a receptionist and still be able to get bennies.(they cost more but it might be worth it) I'm told that most of the girls who do this, spend a lot of time reading. If they can read while doing it, then I should be able to write, right?
Wish me luck! I'm going to need it. I hear the jobs there are very difficult to get as everyone and their brother wants to work there.
That is very interesting about the journal that guy kept. I wouldn't be able to go to work that early as I have to bring my son to school, (he gets a bus but needs to catch it like an hour before school and I don't think that's fair to him. They start so early as it is.)But I could get up and work at home that early, trouble is, I like my sleep It is something to consider though, if I have to work full time.
Thanks again ladies!

TVC,
I work for a company that has roughly 3000+ employees and they are a good company to work for, despite changes we've endured over the years as the economy dictates. Anywayyy....one way that people have gotten their foot in the door with bigger companies is to sign up at a temp agency AND TELL THEM you are only signing up with them to get an assignment at Company X. Or better yet, DON'T tell them. You could always call the Company and ask their personnel department which TEMP agency they used and then go from there. Just a suggestion. It's been OUR experience here that if we get a temp, and they are good at their job, we hire um...

JJ

Thanks again Jawjaw,
That's pretty sneaky advice....
Sounds like it might just work!
It's worth a shot in any case.

TVC, you are dong the right thing to try to be home for your 14 year old. The teen years are as important as the toddler years. Keep your priorities and something will become available. Meanwhile, keep writing. You're meeting with success! That should keep you going. Don't listen to those lttle demons who make you doubt! You are stronger than them.

Thank you Dotsie,
You are of course right about everything!
And thanks for the encouragement!

Now you ladies can see one of the reasons I do the work I do from home. My phone is next to me and my computer is in front of me and I write, write, and write even if I am interrupted from time to time by the phone. I am exploring outsidce things as well but have been disappointed and disalusioned more often than not. When it would cost nearly as much in expenses as I would earn part time, why bother? Keep your eyes open and check jobs on the internet as well, they often have computer jobs working from home....happy hunting!

TVC15, I agree with Dotsie that being home for teenagers is just as (if not more) important as being home when they're babies and toddlers. I've been home full-time with my girls since my younger daughter was 6-months-old (they're 16 & 14 now). I was scared about the $, and scared that I'd end up depressed on the sofa like my mother was, and scared ... well, I was just scared.

But, everything ... and I mean everything ... has worked out. My girls tell me that they are glad that I'm home when they get home from school. They "unload" on me as soon as they walk in the door. I am glad that I'm here to listen to them. I feel like I really know my girls. They even tell me that they love me ... now if that isn't the coolest thing a teenager can tell a mother, I don't know what is.

Misfire, you are blessed! Keep those communication channels open. It's so important. I'm working at it myself. My teens are 16,17, and 19.

Thanks for the advice ladies! So far, what I've decided is that if it can't be part time, so that I am home for him, then I'm not going to go to work.