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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 Team"},{"term":"Lessons Learned"},{"term":"NaNoWriMo"},{"term":"Novellas"},{"term":"Plot"},{"term":"Scavenger Hunt"},{"term":"Self-Discipline"},{"term":"Slush Pile"},{"term":"Social Network Sharing Contests"},{"term":"Thankfulness"},{"term":"The Cuckoo's Calling"},{"term":"Virtual Assistants"},{"term":"Voice"},{"term":"Writer's Block"},{"term":"Writing Blunders"},{"term":"Young Adult"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Author, Jody Hedlund"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$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\/-\/Writer%27s+Life?alt=json-in-script\u0026max-results=3"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/search\/label\/Writer%27s%20Life"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/-\/Writer%27s+Life\/-\/Writer%27s+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":{"$t":"39"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"3"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-3999099297184554172"},"published":{"$t":"2014-11-25T06:00:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-11-25T06:00:09.452-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Thankfulness"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Writer's Life"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"8 Things Writers Can Be Thankful For"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-3Lu_KNuudU4\/VHPUANHMVSI\/AAAAAAAAEdI\/FvzC-rdEMKQ\/s1600\/MP900411771.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-3Lu_KNuudU4\/VHPUANHMVSI\/AAAAAAAAEdI\/FvzC-rdEMKQ\/s1600\/MP900411771.jpg\" height=\"640\" width=\"457\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBy Jody Hedlund,\u0026nbsp;@JodyHedlund \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EUsually I'm the \"glass half-empty\" kind of gal. It's all too easy for me to feed myself negative messages. In fact, during pity-parties, I'm known to feast on those fattening but empty-calories of negativity.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHowever, lately I've been convicted that I need to try to be more positive, especially regarding my self-talk. Instead of gorging on all the complaints and difficulties of life, I want to digest a healthy and regular dose of positive self-talk.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOne way to do that is \u003Cb\u003Ecultivate an attitude of gratitude\u003C\/b\u003E. Instead of focusing on all the things going wrong, I need to make sure to be thankful for all that's going right.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOver the past couple of years, there's been a great deal of upheaval and uncertainty in the writing and publication world. Whether indie, traditional, or hybrid, \u003Ci\u003Eall\u003C\/i\u003E writers have faced challenges. Amidst those difficulties, it's easy to let the negative weigh us down.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo today, in the spirit of Thanksgiving and in light of my resolution to focus on the positive, I'd like to propose eight things we writers have to be grateful for:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E1. New opportunities. \u003C\/b\u003ENo matter which route of publication we take, there are more opportunities than ever before. We aren't locked into one way of publication. We can pursue whatever is most beneficial for our careers, whether that means traditionally published going completely indie or indie published going completely traditionally, or perhaps writers doing a mixture of both. We can explore new genres, new book lengths, and even new styles of writing.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe doors of opportunity have opened wide and the possibilities are limitless.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E2. Revitalized careers. \u003C\/b\u003ENot too long ago, poor sales often meant the end of a writing career (or at the very least starting over under a pen name).  But now, with the long tail of backlists, lower sales are no longer an immediate death knell. Even when publishers have to let an author go due to poor sales, the author doesn't have to lament the end of a career. In fact, the change to indie publishing could be a whole new beginning.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E3.  Supportive readers. \u003C\/b\u003EYes, there are still trolls who delight in damaging authors. And yes, there are still reviewers who take particular enjoyment in being as brash as possible.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut, there are countless readers who are INCREDIBLY supportive of authors, who time and time again do all they can to help promote, cheer on, and share the love of favorite authors and books. They're sensitive to how hard authors have to work nowadays and they show their gratefulness. I know I speak for many authors when I say, \"THANK YOU for all you do!\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E4. Manageable social media. \u003C\/b\u003ENot too many years ago, when social media was fairly new, writers jumping into social media often became swallowed up in the hype, feeling that they had to do it all–blog, facebook, twitter, etc. The frenzy to be everywhere doing everything was time-consuming and draining.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFortunately, that hype has died down. Writers realize that social media is still beneficial for connecting with readers and helping to promote books (to a degree), but it doesn't provide any marketing miracles. Now, writers can focus more on writing good books and keep social media in perspective.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E5. Encouraging writer friends. \u003C\/b\u003EWhile we may not spend hours and hours blogging and tweeting with writer friends anymore, social media still allows us to be connected to other writers. We can find other writers out there who share the same struggles and challenges that we do. We can draw inspiration, advice, and encouragement from being able to easily interact with other writers online.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E6. Helpful writing professionals.\u003C\/b\u003E We are especially blessed that we have help for ANY issue at the touch of our fingertips. Whether we need help on how to plot our novel or shape our characters, or whether we seek the names of agents who are accepting queries or the names of cover designers, we can easily track down the information we need.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWriters are an incredibly generous group. Indies and traditionally published authors alike go out of their way to share resources on their blogs so that others coming behind can navigate the industry with more ease.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E7. Continual need for more books.\u003C\/b\u003E While there are many readers who still prefer paper books (like me!), we have to recognize the many advantages that have come out of the recent ebook revolution. Ebooks are easy to buy, download, and carry. With portable devices, people have books  available to them basically wherever they go. The affordable prices of ebooks often entice readers to try new authors or to read in genres they may not have once considered.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOverall, ebooks have encouraged more people toward reading than ever before. And thus, the demand for books continues to remain high.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E8. The beautiful privilege of writing. \u003C\/b\u003EFor those of us who are attempting to make a career out of writing, we can never forget the beautiful privilege we have of being able to do something we love every single day. Even though some of us have to juggle multiple responsibilities and day jobs, writing is a way to relieve stress, to lose ourselves in another world, and to bring joy to our lives.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EUltimately the creative process of writing in and of itself, even without publication, is a delightful activity, one that we should cherish and not take for granted. There are those in this world who don't have energy, time, or opportunity to do what they love because they're busy just trying to survive.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWriting is a gift. Let's never forget that.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELet's give thanks! What are you most thankful for about writing, reading, or life in general? \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3999099297184554172\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/2014\/11\/8-things-writers-can-be-thankful-for.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/3999099297184554172"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/3999099297184554172"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/2014\/11\/8-things-writers-can-be-thankful-for.html","title":"8 Things Writers Can Be Thankful For"}],"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\/-3Lu_KNuudU4\/VHPUANHMVSI\/AAAAAAAAEdI\/FvzC-rdEMKQ\/s72-c\/MP900411771.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-4977666634580422334"},"published":{"$t":"2012-11-08T06:00:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2012-11-08T06:00:03.749-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Writer's Life"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Hiding in the Writing Closet: Good or Bad?"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/office.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/images\/results.aspx?qu=hiding\u0026amp;ex=1#ai:MP910220889|\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"213\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-XvXB1K-91AA\/UJZKuTaMvWI\/AAAAAAAACyA\/QCJMqOivR7E\/s320\/MP910220889.JPG\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBy Jody Hedlund, @JodyHedlund \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI was a \"closet writer\" for most of my adult life. I spent years crafting books, but I never told anyone about my writing pursuits other than my family. They knew of my secret life and the hours I spent on my lap top making up stories, but that's as far as it went.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI think many writers have an underlying fear that keeps them hiding in the closet, especially before publication. We're afraid to tell people about our writing endeavors because we think then we'll have to prove to them we're good enough. We dread hearing THE question, \"So . . . what have you published?\" And we duck our heads in shame and mumble, \"Uh, nothin' yet.\" \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe scramble to explain why we spend so much time writing when we're not published. After we get embarrassed often enough, we decide we'd rather NOT tell anyone about the passion that pushes us to write. We know we'd keep writing even if we never published, but most people just don't understand what drives us.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo . . .we head to the closet. It's easier there. No pressures, no awkward questions, no raised eyebrows. We plop into our swivel chairs, sigh a solitary but serene breath, and revel in the pleasure of our secret writing life. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOf course, we have to come out of the closet sooner or later . . . at least if we hope to see our work published. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI came out of the writing closet several months before the release of my first book, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Preachers-Bride-Jody-Hedlund\/dp\/B0058M5L0E\/ref=la_B003JLXD6A_1_3?ie=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=1352027050\u0026amp;sr=1-3\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Preacher's Bride\u003C\/a\u003E. I figured I needed to start giving hints to friends that they'd soon pass by my book at Barnes \u0026amp; Noble. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe full length article in the Sunday paper spotlighting my first book and my writing journey \"outed\" me too. And pretty soon, everyone around town knew. Yes, it was incredibly awkward at times. And yes, I fumbled over my explanations of what I was doing and why. I battled the guilt of hiding an important part of myself from those who could have supported me. And I fought the frustration of well-meaning people not understanding how difficult the writing journey really is.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENow after the past several years of being out of the closet, \u003Cb\u003Ethere are times when I'd like to retreat.\u003C\/b\u003E I still get questions that are difficult to answer. Some friendships have grown cold due to the disapproval of my writing career or my books. And still other friends don't know what to say around me, so we don't talk about my writing much.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENo matter where we're at in our publishing journeys, we'll experience times when we want to tuck away in our safe, secure writing closets.\u003C\/b\u003E I've learned that sometimes it's \u003Ci\u003Eokay\u003C\/i\u003E to hide away. And sometimes it's \u003Ci\u003Enot\u003C\/i\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhen it's \u003Ci\u003Enot\u003C\/i\u003E good to hide in the writing closet:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn hindsight, I realize that I needed to be proud of who I was as a writer. It's a huge part of my life. I had nothing to be ashamed of, even when I wasn't published. After all, many of my friends have passions too (for quilting or running or whatever), and no one ever looks down their noses at them. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs writers, we should be able embrace our passion, enjoy it, and spend time on it with a confidence that comes from knowing we're doing what we love and are gifted at. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere will always be awkward questions from friends, perhaps even condemnation, but we can't let our fears and insecurities push us back into the closet. If we hide away, we should do so because WE want or need to . . .\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhen it's good (even healthy) to head into the closet:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere will be times when it's healthy for us to close ourselves away from the outside world and just write.  When I think back to those years I wrote in private, I realize I \u003Ci\u003Eshouldn't have been afraid of what others thought\u003C\/i\u003E. But I also see the good that came from \u003Ci\u003Enot having all the distractions\u003C\/i\u003E that going public can bring. I could write in solitude and really focus on my stories and becoming a better writer.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELet's face it, there are a lot of distractions bombarding the modern writer, especially with the invention of social media. Good critique groups, writing friends, and the abundance of writing advice—while all good—can eventually distract us from what matters most—just putting our butt in the chair and writing.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhether it's online or in real life, sometimes we need to hole away, let the noise fade, and remind ourselves of what's truly important in the writing life . . . just writing.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhat about you? Are you a closet writer? What was the reaction of family and friends when you came out? And are there times when you ever go back in the closet?\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4977666634580422334\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/2012\/11\/hiding-in-writing-closet-good-or-bad.html#comment-form","title":"34 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/4977666634580422334"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/4977666634580422334"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/2012\/11\/hiding-in-writing-closet-good-or-bad.html","title":"Hiding in the Writing Closet: Good or Bad?"}],"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$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-XvXB1K-91AA\/UJZKuTaMvWI\/AAAAAAAACyA\/QCJMqOivR7E\/s72-c\/MP910220889.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"34"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-7181624797911129824"},"published":{"$t":"2012-08-02T06:00:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2012-08-05T21:59:13.186-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Writer's Life"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"What's Life Really Like as a Published Author?"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-nuK3t_M-59s\/UBWEEh8rQtI\/AAAAAAAACpo\/wexYND31kps\/s1600\/MP900285068.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-nuK3t_M-59s\/UBWEEh8rQtI\/AAAAAAAACpo\/wexYND31kps\/s400\/MP900285068.JPG\" width=\"276\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBy Jody Hedlund, @JodyHedlund \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOccasionally when I'm out at appointments or other events, people will stop me and ask something like, \"How's life as a published author these days?\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOf course, I almost always answer with something profound like, \"Good.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EEvery now and then I'll add a nugget of insight like, \"I'm keeping busy\" or \"It's a lot of fun.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs you can tell, I'm bubbling with information about published author life.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe trouble is, \u003Cb\u003Ethere really is no easy answer.\u003C\/b\u003E And since I don't want to go into great detail with most people, I give pat answers.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut today, on my blog, I decided to give the more complicated answer about what life as a published author is like—\u003Ci\u003Eat least what life is like for me\u003C\/i\u003E (because every author will have their own story—pun intended!).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAfter several years of writing under contract, I'm definitely in a different spot than I was when I first got my agent and book deal back in 2009. I've  learned a ton about the industry and grown a lot as a writer.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESo what's life really like? In what ways have I adjusted to life as a published author?\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cu\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOn a personal level?\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/u\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMy writing isn't something that I do in my spare time anymore.\u003C\/b\u003E I've had to come to grips with the realization that I'm a working mom with a home writing business. I try to set regular work hours and stick to them.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EI've also come to realize that I can't be supermom. \u003C\/b\u003EI can't keep up with the housework, cooking, and all the other responsibilities that come with being a mom AND still have time to write. I've had to delegate, accept help, and give up some of my expectations.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EI've also had to let go of many of my previous outside commitments.\u003C\/b\u003E I can't be as involved with friends, groups, or activities. I have to limit where I go and what I do.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOverall, I've set personal boundaries, and in doing so I've been able to reduce the stress in my life. Because of the boundaries, I can enjoy both my family and my writing—which are my two top priorities.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cu\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOn a professional level?\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/u\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EI've realized that being an author isn't a road to instant fame. \u003C\/b\u003EAs I go about town on business, nobody stops me for autographs. In fact, I doubt most of the strangers I pass even know I'm an author. Sometimes acquaintances will ask me questions about being an author or let me know they've read one of my books. Closer friends occasionally ask me how things are going. But overall, life goes on as usual without much hoopla.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EI've also realized that the income is slow and steady. \u003C\/b\u003EMy publisher only sends out royalty checks twice a year. And while my books have earned royalty, it hasn't been nearly enough for a family of seven to live on. I'm hoping that as I continue to build a readership, my income will continue to grow. But I've learned that building a readership takes time too.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFinally, I've come to understand that there is a LOT more to being an author than just writing books.\u003C\/b\u003E There are many other responsibilities that take time. I'm my own secretary, administrative assistant, travel agent, researcher, editor, publicist, marketer, as well as writer. If I want something done, I have to do it. Plain and simple. I'm the manager of my business. I'll only get as much out of it as I put in.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe pay off in my writing career hasn't been in fame and fortune. Rather it's come in the form of \u003Cb\u003Ehearing from readers and knowing they're enjoying my stories\u003C\/b\u003E. Each email, facebook comment, or tweet warms my heart.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe other payoff is in \u003Cb\u003Ethe incredible satisfaction I find in the process of writing.\u003C\/b\u003E I truly love spinning together stories. I can go places, do things, and be a part of adventures and lives in ways that just aren't possible in my real life.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo what's published author life really like?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt's nothing like I imagined. But it's definitely fulfilling!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMaybe the answer is simple after all. \u003Ci\u003EIt's good. Real good\u003C\/i\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhat about you? Writers, what's the writing life been like for you? Is it what you expected? And readers, are you surprised by any of the realities of published author life?\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7181624797911129824\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/2012\/08\/whats-life-really-like-as-published.html#comment-form","title":"34 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/7181624797911129824"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/7181624797911129824"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/2012\/08\/whats-life-really-like-as-published.html","title":"What's Life Really Like as a Published Author?"}],"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\/-nuK3t_M-59s\/UBWEEh8rQtI\/AAAAAAAACpo\/wexYND31kps\/s72-c\/MP900285068.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"34"}}]}});