
This week, I’ve started my new role as part-time caregiver for my granddaughter, Ellie, who’s just turned one. Because the commute’s too long to do daily, I’m staying out at my daughter and son-in-law’s place for half the week. I have to say, I’m getting a good workout by keeping up with Ellie as she crawls and pulls herself up on things constantly.
It also means reduced writing time and fewer blogs, but this is my choice. While it’s been a privilege to spend my first year of retirement writing full time, I’ve also reached a point in my life where doing so isn’t necessary. Honestly, there’s been many periods where it’s not been a priority. I’ve been lucky to enjoy part-time work, for the most part, and always found it easier to focus on writing when time was compressed.
I’ve spent the last four decades carving out bits of writing time on buses, during work lunch breaks, on holidays and long weekends, sitting in cars waiting for the kids to get out of school, at pool sides, skating rinks, Tae Kwon Do studios, and so forth. I’ve been lucky enough to work with agents, editors, publishers, and to self-publish.
I never planned to depend on fiction-writing to earn a living. I’ve never had a goal of reaching anyone’s bestseller list or acquiring a large advance with a major publisher. As a creative person who grew up poor, I’m quite fond of multiple income streams, even if they aren’t large. Besides, many of my story ideas always came from getting out in the world and working, whether paid or unpaid.
Sure, goals and circumstances will likely change again. These days, I’m content to write part-time. I’ll still be producing pages for my critique group every week and taking part in various events, and that’s just fine right now.
Speaking of events, I took part in a fun discussion about amateur sleuth fiction with two other British Columbia mystery writers, Winona Kent and Judee Fong, on Tuesday, which was moderated by cozy mystery author, Erik D’Souza. The recording’s still available, which you can find HERE.
If you’re interested in learning more about Crime Writers of Canada and Canadian writers, please check out the following links.
That’s fantastic. Our grandchildren will grow up so fast. The more time we spend with them and our kids the better. They will keep us young. And who knows? You might suddenly become a children’s author;)
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Thanks, Wendy. I never thought of that, but I’m sure reading a lot of children’s books to Ellie, lately!
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Have lots of fun with Ellie. They grow up fast!
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They sure do 🙂
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I find my childcare years led to a unique creative burst where fictionalizing children became a pursuit of accuracy… It seems many writers “forget” what a “typical” aged child does normally and what is atypical…something that seriously distracts a reader from a story… Soak it up! 🙂
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Thanks, KC. I will, and you’re right. Paying close attention to her could wind up being invaluable writing research.
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That is a big change in your life, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy it
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You are going to have a ball. You might end up a children’s book author after a few months with that darling girl.
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Now, from mystery author to children’s author would certainly be a change! 🙂
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Enjoy every minute with that little sweetheart. They grow up so fast!!
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Thanks, Darlene! I plan to 🙂
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She is so cute! Enjoy the changed priority and devotion! I loved Jacqui’s comment about you possibly writing children’s books next. You are very versatile, so who knows? 🙂
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Thanks, Liesbet! We’ll see what the future brings!
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Little ones become teenagers in a blink of an eye. Enjoy the joy beautiful Ellie brings to you life.
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Thank you, Bernadette. I will. She’s already so curious and exploring everything. It’s keeping me on my toes!
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