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Presence"},{"term":"Getting Feedback"},{"term":"Growing in Writing Skill"},{"term":"Critique Services"},{"term":"Self-Publishing"},{"term":"Writing Contests"},{"term":"Accountability"},{"term":"Conferences"},{"term":"Family Life"},{"term":"Query Letters"},{"term":"Reading"},{"term":"Self-Editing"},{"term":"About Me"},{"term":"Book Release"},{"term":"Critique Partners\/Groups"},{"term":"Encouragement"},{"term":"Mama Writer"},{"term":"Marketing Books"},{"term":"What I Learned Series"},{"term":"Book Reviewers"},{"term":"Twitter"},{"term":"Book Covers"},{"term":"Character Development"},{"term":"Facebook"},{"term":"Perseverance"},{"term":"Book Signings\/Parties"},{"term":"Helpful Writing Books"},{"term":"Websites"},{"term":"E-Publishing"},{"term":"Life With An Agent"},{"term":"Pinterest"},{"term":"Uniquenesses of Writers"},{"term":"Contracts"},{"term":"Perfection"},{"term":"Research"},{"term":"Romance"},{"term":"Supporting Authors"},{"term":"Blogging Blunders"},{"term":"Book Proposals"},{"term":"Branding"},{"term":"Ebooks"},{"term":"Friendships"},{"term":"Giveaway"},{"term":"How I Do It"},{"term":"Interacting With Readers"},{"term":"Interviews"},{"term":"Rejection"},{"term":"Discouragement"},{"term":"Finding Ideas"},{"term":"First Drafts"},{"term":"Free books"},{"term":"Multi-Published"},{"term":"My Writing Journey"},{"term":"Negative Reviews"},{"term":"Publication Process"},{"term":"Traditional Publishing"},{"term":"Trailers"},{"term":"Waiting"},{"term":"Writing Output"},{"term":"Allegiant"},{"term":"Audio Books"},{"term":"Best Seller List"},{"term":"Blog Tours"},{"term":"Book Series"},{"term":"Book Titles"},{"term":"Books Into Movies"},{"term":"Bookstores"},{"term":"Courtship and Dating"},{"term":"Debut Authors"},{"term":"Failure"},{"term":"Genre Differences"},{"term":"Historical Romance"},{"term":"Historicals"},{"term":"Influencers"},{"term":"Insider Insights"},{"term":"JK Rowling"},{"term":"John and Abigail Adams"},{"term":"Launch 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Hedlund"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":""},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/feeds\/posts\/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/-\/Family+Life?alt=json-in-script\u0026max-results=3"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/search\/label\/Family%20Life"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/-\/Family+Life\/-\/Family+Life?alt=json-in-script\u0026start-index=4\u0026max-results=3"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Jody Hedlund"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/12424307540530719614"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"10"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"3"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-4210003833948216784"},"published":{"$t":"2015-09-08T06:00:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-09-08T06:00:02.817-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Family Life"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Inspiration"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mama Writer"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"A Pep Talk For Writers Struggling to Find Writing Time"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-aepxsmX_l28\/VeyDUi4kYkI\/AAAAAAAAE6A\/XQejbxwN_-8\/s1600\/Pep%2BTalk%2Bfor%2BBusy%2BWriters.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-aepxsmX_l28\/VeyDUi4kYkI\/AAAAAAAAE6A\/XQejbxwN_-8\/s400\/Pep%2BTalk%2Bfor%2BBusy%2BWriters.jpg\" width=\"372\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBy Jody Hedlund,\u0026nbsp;@JodyHedlund\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you've been reading my blog long enough, you'll know that I'm a homeschooling mom of five children (although my oldest just graduated and is now in college). Like most teachers, I LOVE my summers off, especially because it allows me to spend extra time on my writing that I don't have during the school year.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMy school years are filled with instructing my children as well as teaching a Grammar and Composition class for high school students. Both require a lot of time and effort (picture me most evenings grading essays that my students write!). In addition to my teaching job, I also have all of the other mom-duties that come with having large family–cooking big meals, trying not to drown in laundry, running kids to all of their many activities, etc.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs a teacher and mom, my schedule is already jam-packed. But add on to that a very full time writing job.  This year I'm attempting to keep up with publishing three books with three different publishers. It's been a blast! But in addition to writing the books, it's also meant more editing, more marketing, and more administrative work.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EJust recently at the start of a new school year,  I sat down with my calendar and scratched my head, wondering how in the world I would be able to fit in time to write.  Between school, piano lessons, art class, ballet, cross country, choir, youth group and host of other activities that are starting, I had a moment of panic.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut then, I took a deep breath and gave myself my annual pep talk, which goes something like this:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E1. If you want this badly enough, you can do it.\u003C\/b\u003E You love writing. It brings you great joy and fulfillment to weave stories. In the craziness of life, your story-world is a peaceful place to escape. So don't give up. You'd miss it too much.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E2. You can find writing time each day if you look closely enough for it.\u003C\/b\u003E You can find a hour or two. Yes, you might have to sacrifice something else to find that hour or two (like sleep or TV or baking homemade cookies). But you can find the time somewhere if you look closely enough.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E3. Block out that writing time and don't waver from it.\u003C\/b\u003E Once you find a window of opportunity to write (even if it's different every day), block it out on the calendar. Literally.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E4. Be consistent even when you're tired, sick, and don't feel like writing\u003C\/b\u003E. Of course you can't prevent emergencies. But barring a tornado or plane crashing into your home, sit your butt in the chair and write.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E5. Look for ways to get extended writing time. \u003C\/b\u003EYou need those longer chunks of time too. Work with your significant other, parents, grandparents, or friend to take the kids or watch the dogs so that you can have a writing day or writing weekend (even if it's just once a month).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E6. Demote social media and other non-essential to the leftover time. \u003C\/b\u003EYes, social media is fun. Yes, it's a great way to mingle with other writers. But it's a non-essential to a successful writing career. Keep it in its proper place and perspective. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E7. Yes, it will be hard.\u003C\/b\u003E But you've written under crazy circumstances in the past and you can do it again.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFor all those writers who have day jobs or who are balancing busy children or who are struggling to stay consistent, my pep talk is for you too. There are seasons in our lives when finding writing time can be a huge challenge. You don't have to give up. If I can make it work, so can you!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EHow about YOU? Do you ever struggle to find writing time? What do you tell yourself to keep going? \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4210003833948216784\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/2015\/09\/a-pep-talk-for-writers-struggling-to.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/4210003833948216784"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/4210003833948216784"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/2015\/09\/a-pep-talk-for-writers-struggling-to.html","title":"A Pep Talk For Writers Struggling to Find Writing Time"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Jody Hedlund"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/12424307540530719614"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-aepxsmX_l28\/VeyDUi4kYkI\/AAAAAAAAE6A\/XQejbxwN_-8\/s72-c\/Pep%2BTalk%2Bfor%2BBusy%2BWriters.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-6968014372940163874"},"published":{"$t":"2015-06-09T06:00:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-06-09T07:29:23.986-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Family Life"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Time Management"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"10 Ways Writer-Moms Can Gain More Writing Time"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-P8eugPHEQr0\/VXYOiL6kqhI\/AAAAAAAAE1M\/SA_utlPcpYs\/s1600\/10%2BWays%2Bto%2BGain%2BMore%2BWriting%2BTime.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-P8eugPHEQr0\/VXYOiL6kqhI\/AAAAAAAAE1M\/SA_utlPcpYs\/s400\/10%2BWays%2Bto%2BGain%2BMore%2BWriting%2BTime.jpg\" width=\"378\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBy Jody Hedlund,\u0026nbsp;@JodyHedlund \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs a homeschooling mom of five children, the most common question I'm asked is: How do you do it all? How do you manage your large family and have the time to write?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENo I'm not super woman (although there are times when my kids expect me to be!). Yes, I do get plenty of sleep (most nights!). And no, I haven't hired the TV to babysit my kids (at least not often!).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOver the years, I tried many different tricks and techniques in order to gain (or maintain) writing time in my schedule. Here are 10:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E1. Take advantage of kids' downtime.\u003C\/b\u003E When my younger children were taking naps, I used every minute they were asleep for writing. As tempting as it was to clean, pickup, or even take a nap myself, I knew I had to make the most of that quiet hour to write uninterrupted. When my kids got a little older and didn't need naps, I still required afternoon rest\/reading time for an hour. It helped give them a needed break, but also gave me a block of uninterrupted writing time.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E2. Pay older kids to \"babysit\" younger children. \u003C\/b\u003EAs my writing career began to swing into full gear and I needed more writing time, I discovered that I could pay my older children (who were in elementary school) to \"babysit\" my little ones. I would assign them each a child to play with, give them a time limit (like an hour), and then pay them a couple of dollars when they were done. It not only gave me more writing time, but it helped teach my older children the value of working hard to earn money.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E3. Involve the whole family in household chores.\u003C\/b\u003E As Moms we often think the entirety of the housework falls on our shoulders. But I'm of the belief that whoever lives in a house needs to help in the upkeep of that house. Therefore, over the years I've gotten my kids involved in doing laundry, cooking meals, handling yard work, etc. When everyone pitches in, we all have more free time for the things we love (including writing).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E4. Bring the laptop along to activities and write while waiting in the van\u003C\/b\u003E. Since my kids have so many activities that I drive them to, I often sit in the van and write while I wait for them. Without the distraction of the internet, the van is actually a great place to get concentrated writing done.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E5. Schedule larger blocks of writing time when husband is home.\u003C\/b\u003E This has probably been one of the biggest ways I've been able to add more writing time into my schedule. Even in the days before publication, my husband realized the benefit of supporting my mental health by giving me extended time away from the kids which I used for writing. Those larger blocks are sacred writing time. No browsing blogs or Facebook. Writing only!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E6. Hire a college-age student to take the kids out a couple of times a week.\u003C\/b\u003E I did this one summer when my kids were younger. I paid an hourly wage to an older girl who could drive and had a car for the purpose of getting my kids out of the house. She took them to parks, the pool, the library, to get ice cream, and basically anywhere to allow them to do things while I worked. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E7. Rise and shine before the rest of the family.\u003C\/b\u003E (Or be the night owl.) When I'm particularly crunched on time during the day, I schedule writing time in the wee hours of the morning before the household awakes. Again, that writing time is sacred. I don't dilly-dally responding to emails or anything else. During the uninterrupted time I simply write.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E8. Set work hours and teach children to respect that time \u003C\/b\u003E(works more for older children). As my children have grown older and can occupy themselves without constant supervision, I've had to teach them to respect my work boundaries. I usually explain my \"writing hours\" and expect them to respect that time. For example, I won't drive them to a friend's house or take them to the store until I'm done with my work time.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E9. Involve grandparents (or other relatives) when possible.\u003C\/b\u003E I'm blessed to have my mom live in town nearby. She often offers to assist when she knows of specific needs. But I've also had to learn to ask for help, and that's not something that comes easily to me. Over the past couple of years, we've worked out a system where she comes to my house once a week (and helps homsechool) which frees me to write.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E10. Outsource work that can be done by others.\u003C\/b\u003E I had a hard time letting go of work I thought I should be doing. But in the end, I've found that it's more profitable for me to pay someone else to do their \"specialty\" so that I can focus on mine–my writing. Obviously, I didn't come to this point in my career until I had a steady income. But moving in this direction has helped free up even more of my time.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhat other advice do YOU have for finding more writing time?\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6968014372940163874\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/2015\/06\/10-ways-writer-moms-can-gain-more.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/6968014372940163874"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/6968014372940163874"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/2015\/06\/10-ways-writer-moms-can-gain-more.html","title":"10 Ways Writer-Moms Can Gain More Writing Time"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Jody Hedlund"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/12424307540530719614"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-P8eugPHEQr0\/VXYOiL6kqhI\/AAAAAAAAE1M\/SA_utlPcpYs\/s72-c\/10%2BWays%2Bto%2BGain%2BMore%2BWriting%2BTime.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-4836967182474391561"},"published":{"$t":"2013-02-05T06:00:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-02-05T06:00:16.911-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Difficulties"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Family Life"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"What to Do When Our Families Don't Support Our Writing"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Bs5qUMPeVr4\/UQ0NtJ139NI\/AAAAAAAAC-Y\/EsKCqTxI_xY\/s1600\/MC900444945.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Bs5qUMPeVr4\/UQ0NtJ139NI\/AAAAAAAAC-Y\/EsKCqTxI_xY\/s320\/MC900444945.JPG\" width=\"239\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBy Jody Hedlund, @JodyHedlund \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOne of the hardest things for aspiring writers is getting our family's support for our writing, especially before we're published. At least that was one of my struggles.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI remember saying to my husband on many occasions, \"No, I'm not making any money on my writing. But yes, I still need time to write.\" Amidst the busyness of life, with five children, homeschooling, and trying to manage a home, \u003Cb\u003Ewriting was (and still is) very important to my sanity.\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFor a long time it was a battle to help my family understand that my writing was more than a hobby, that it was something I needed to spend concentrated time doing—especially if I hoped to get published some day.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOver time, I had many conversations—particularly with my husband. \u003Cb\u003EHere are just a few of the arguments I used over the years to gradually win his support:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E1. We all need time for things we love. \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMy husband LOVES football. He takes time every week to watch games, check stats, read commentaries, etc. It's important to him. He enjoys the break it gives him from the busy chaos of life.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe fact is, we\u003Ci\u003E \u003C\/i\u003Eneed things in our lives that rejuvenate us. Football does that for my husband. My writing does that for me. If we're engaging in a mutually respectful relationship, then he should be willing to let me take time for what I love, just as I am for him.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI'm in no way relegating writing to the same level as watching football, because writing is much more than a hobby for most aspiring writers. But the point is, if our family balks at our writing time, we can encourage them that we ALL need time for the things we love.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E2. The early years of unpaid writing are simply part of the education process.\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf I told my husband I wanted to go to school to become a brain surgeon, he certainly wouldn't begrudge me the years of education and training that are required (even if I could only attend school part time due to other responsibilities).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHe'd wait patiently because he'd realize that one day I'll finally reach the point when I'm finally ready for my first brain surgery. But he'd also understand that I can't get to that point without putting in many, many long hours of unpaid study and practice. In fact, he'd even understand if I had to put out the money for school, workshops, conferences, books, etc.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd the same is true of writing. We can't get to a professional point in our career unless we \u003Ci\u003Eput in\u003C\/i\u003E the time day after day, year after year. And we may even need to \u003Ci\u003Eput out\u003C\/i\u003E a little money for editing, buying writing craft books, or going to conferences.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E3. Once we're agented or published, it still takes time to build our small business.\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf I opened a cupcake shop, my family wouldn't expect me to be raking in a huge profit the first few years. They'd realize it takes time to get the word out about my cupcake business and to build a loyal base of customers who love me and are willing to rave about my cupcakes to their friends. It may even take some extra marketing dollars to get the word out.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd writers start out much the same, whether we go the traditional route or self-publish. We have to invest capitol (time, energy, and books) into our writing business, often for years before we begin to see a profit or make a living from it. There are no guarantees for small businesses. Perhaps we'll never make anything. Which brings me to the last point . . .\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E4. We have to support and believe in each other's dreams, even when  no one else does.\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe bottom line for my husband and I over the years is that we want to support each other's dreams. Whether those dreams ever become a reality or not, we hope to be each other's biggest cheerleaders.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf my husband wanted to pursue something new (i.e. a different career), and if it was really important to him, then whether I understand it or not, I would encourage his efforts. Sure, we would have to dialogue through the difficulties and look for ways to make it workable in our current situation. But I wouldn't want to squash his dreams or desires simply because they're not mine.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd the same is true of my writing. Long before I was published, my husband eventually came to a point of understanding how important my writing was to me. And he wanted to support me and my dreams whether I ever got published or not.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMy summary:\u003C\/b\u003E Although our writing aspirations may not be easy for our families and loved ones to understand, I've learned that it is possible to gently win them over. Don't give up hope!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhat about you? Have you experienced a family member or loved one misunderstanding your writing? What are some ways you've worked at gaining their support?\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4836967182474391561\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/2013\/02\/what-to-do-when-our-families-dont.html#comment-form","title":"37 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/4836967182474391561"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/4836967182474391561"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/2013\/02\/what-to-do-when-our-families-dont.html","title":"What to Do When Our Families Don't Support Our Writing"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Jody Hedlund"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/12424307540530719614"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Bs5qUMPeVr4\/UQ0NtJ139NI\/AAAAAAAAC-Y\/EsKCqTxI_xY\/s72-c\/MC900444945.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"37"}}]}});