Writing When You Can't Focus
By Laurie Childree, 11th Jul 2011 | Follow this author
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Writing for a living can be stressful but when you add exhaustion to the mix it is time for a new plan of action. Recently becoming physically ill from exhaustion has led me to rethink the way that I earn my living. It also led me to some realizations about how to best use the time I have in order to be the most productive and restful.
Writing for a Living
I write for a living or at least I claim to. Lately writing has been the source of stress for me. I have been starting articles that I have ended up deleting half way through because I lost the original thought associated with the article. Recently I have limited myself to writing diary pages, editorials and blog posts so that the focus could wander just a little bit and not harm my earnings.
Plans do not always turn out the way that we thought they would so while having them in a good idea there has to be an alternative. I took a test for one of the sites that I write for last night and to say it did not go well is an understatement. I was rather shocked and disappointed at the low score but I decided to look at it as a lesson. I've been dreading taking that test but I have only took one assignment from that sight the whole time I've been a writer there. That makes it a bit better to know that the test was for a sight that I have not found subject matter that I find interesting.
My income is decreasing which led me to spend some time reading about making a living online. I know hundreds of online writers so I took some time to read a few of their articles on how they make a living online. I used to write those when I was making steady income so I figured a refresher and someone else's techniques might give me a renewed perspective.
Changing Strategies
I have bills to pay, luckily they are either the same or roughly the same amounts each and every month. That at least gives me the luxury of knowing exactly how much I have to pay out each month and how much is left to live off of until the next month. My youngest daughter Theresa is Autistic which qualifies her for SSI to cover her special needs for the most part. The difference in her care and the bills are what I have to make each month. I have been reading a lot of articles lately like I said and came to a new conclusion about the way that I work.
New Plan I have gained a new prospective from reading the work of others lately. One article told me that the writer was not focusing on the money that she would earn and by not focusing on the money alone she came out better. I've decided to give this a try once again. I know what subjects interest me, some will qualify for upfront payments and some will not. The ones that will qualify for a payment I will submit and wait for a reply. The ones that I know will not I will simply write and post for the page views because it means that I needed to get it out. The idea is to increase my writing portfolio and find a few minutes a day to work on my book.
Books While I would love to finish reading the books that I began months ago I would also love to write the one that is in my head. I know what I want to write but breaking it up into books is the difficult part. That and the notes I had have been destroyed over the years so I am left to rely on my fragmented memory to get it all together and as close to accurate as possible. So I am going to continue keeping my diary of book material until I can get it all together into one and focus my online writing to subjects that I really care about to see just how well that works out for me.
Relieving Stress
I am hopeful that these changes will help to relieve some of my stress. I have set a goal for myself to write at least one thing each day no matter what it is for. I'm not sure what or where I will write but I will be writing something. I have ordered a new battery so I can write in my word processor when I am out and a memory card so that I can remove my pictures from my computer. Freeing up some space in the memory will give me the ability to see if I have room to upgrade my computer to get a few features that I am missing from this version and put off the purchase of another one. I am hoping that cleaning the system out will improve the way this system runs.
In the meantime I plan to get a lot more rest since I spent a few days in bed because I was tired. I am not looking forward to get sick on a regular basis which I do now but I am determined to prevent myself from getting that sick again. I can not afford trips to the doctor so I have no choice but to remain well. So in the meantime I am changing strategies and will be writing updates on a regular basis if for no other reason than to keep my mind focused on the task at hand.
Comments
11th Jul 2011 (#)
All the best with your new strategy Laurie. Sometimes a change of direction really helps. I'm one of those who have stopped focussing on money because I'm lucky enough to be able to do so. I now write for sheer pleasure.
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11th Jul 2011 (#)
That is where I would love to be Val.
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11th Jul 2011 (#)
Your plan sounds good. Sometimes no matter what it is we do we have to reevaluate. Good luck and happy earnings to you.
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11th Jul 2011 (#)
Thank you Elaine.
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12th Jul 2011 (#)
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12th Jul 2011 (#)
Laurie, sometimes we have to do just what you did, regroup. You have a lot on your plate so, keep that in mind. I hope all goes well for you. As always, thank you for sharing.:)
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12th Jul 2011 (#)
Laurie, hey! Thank you for following me. I don't write as much as most. Especially since I will have been here for a year, this month and I have only 62 pages out. I came here to get a education on writing. I have drafts up the buttola hon. I will get to them in time.LOL
I have learned from some of the best. I hate starting to name names, I might forget someone but, we have some top notch writers on this site. My first page was a utter disaster, my next 8 where not much better. Then I went to look at those that knew how to write and I studied them and by the way, I have never stopped. I think I have now passed (again) and am now I am in my junior year. I also would like to say, what little bit that is given to those of us that need help, is a shame. I know with my brothers check, if not for the prescription drug plan, the check would just barely cover his meds. If he had not come to make my family's home (back in 95), his home he would not be able to survive on his own. Yet, he is not able to hold down a job. Billy also goes to a day school 4 days a week. That helps and it only cost 5 bucks a day. Our biggest difference is, my brother and I have my husband, whom is able to work. We have someone that helps lesson our load. Well, I have taken up more of your space than I should. I am from Alabama, the south, we sure know how to keep it going.LOL
Once again, I hope all goes well for you and yours.:)
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12th Jul 2011 (#)
Hi Denise, I'm from Bama too. My husband has health issues of his own. I wouldn't mind the baby's check being so little if it weren't for the fact that one day she may have to live off of it and people seem to think they get a lot of money. It's barely enough to pay bills but you know that already. It was nice to meet you and thank you for your well wishes.
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12th Jul 2011 (#)
Laurie, that is so true. There is no way Billy could live on his own, ever. If something should happen to my husband and I, we have already made plans for him to stay with our son or, our daughter. They both have agreed to take him in, they love their Uncle Billy. Now if we all go, I just do not know what Billy would be able to do.
I hope you are getting help when it comes to medical. I have to admit I don't know a lot about Autism but, I am sure you need some form of extra health care. I am sorry to hear about your husband, that has to heavy the load you're carrying. Just like with my husband. A lot falls on him since I am not able to work anymore. I am physically disabled to the point, I am not able to hold down a job. It is just so frustrating.
So you are from Bama. I live in Phenix city but, I have lived most my life in Columbus Ga., right across the chattahoochee from P.C.
I have to say though, my brother has been given more help since we made the move to Alabama, they have better programs for him. Well hon, you have a great night, I have one of my guilty pleasures on tonight, so you think you can dance and I have to feed the dogs before it comes on. You take care hon.:)
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22nd Jul 2011 (#)
Hi, I'm actually new here and I sort of stumbled into your page. I guess, I can relate as of now. You know, besides being a full time mom to 3 kids, I have two jobs too. I work as a pharmacist during Saturdays and when I'm called upon and for 6 days I work at my internet cafe. Its a tough job coz I don't have enough customers yet and I can't add additional services coz I am always with my 3 year old kid who always cry a lot, so you see... Anyway, online writing is another part time job. Back then, I write just to express myself nowadays, I try to make a living out of it which stresses me. I write for Factoidz and Triond too but it seems that my earnings do not improve but the reverse. Maybe like you, I did undergo some stressful times that I was not able to write good ones. Finally, I decided to stop, breathe and focus on other things. I haven't write anything new now but at least I've overcome stress and hey... just today my prayers for my financial problems have been answered. Well, this is nice share and hope goes well for you too.
PS:
Sorry for the long letter, thanks.
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