December 8, 2008

Today is my birthday. Before I open any of my gifts from family and friends, I already know what my favorite gift is going to be. It’s one I decided to give to myself.

Always Running, Faster, FASTER!

I’ve been writing and publishing since my kids were babies. They’re in their twenties and thirties now, having babies of their own. Many of those growing-up years were either single parenting years or times when the family relied heavily on my income. Slowing down to read more or study my craft was not an option. The 50+ hours of work per week needed to generate income: writing books, teaching, speaking, writing test questions, doing private critiques, etc.

Whenever I thought about studying more, reading more, taking more time to grow as a writer (versus making every hour a billable hour), I would promise myself, Later, when things slow down and the cash flow eases up. Even when that day came where I could cut back, I found that the very idea panicked me. I had drummed into my head for so many years that freelancer warning, “If you don’t work, you don’t eat.” You learn to go without paid sick days or paid vacations–much less time to study one’s craft.

If Not NOW, When?

For several years, I’ve been having a discussion with a dear writing friend who would also love to slow down and study and spend time to improve her writing. It’s a dream we’ve both had for a long time. We’ve done motivational workshops, learned how to “work smarter, not harder,” streamlined our work habits, multi-tasked until we met ourselves coming and going. And what did we do with the time freed up by all this smarter working? We worked more, took on more projects, learned how to do website design/blog/Twitter, and lamented ever finding more time.

The Tipping Point

What pushed me over the edge into making the decision to give myself the gift of time? I went to a writer’s workshop Saturday in Austin, a “first pages” workshop hosted by Cynthia Leitich Smith where Cynthia and HarperCollins editor Jill Santopolo critiqued three opening pages from every workshop participant. One of the many things that struck me Saturday was Cynthia’s broad knowledge of what’s being published. I asked her on break about her reading schedule. She reads a juvenile/YA novel or a stack of picture books DAILY. Most times, I’m embarrassed to say, I do well to read a children’s book a month (usually something a friend has had published.) We learn so much about good writing from reading. I’ve always known that. But at some point–while trying to keep food on the table–I had let that part of my writing life lapse.

Cynthia is an instructor for the famous Vermont MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Jill had been one of her students. Several writers in the audience had completed their MFA program as well. While I don’t have the $$$ to do the two-year program, I can make the time (if I really want to) to read widely what is currently being published. I can study the excellent writing books on my shelves that have gathered dust after I only read the first chapter or two. I always intended to finish the books later–but later had not yet come.

Now is later.

Starting today, I am giving myself the gift of time to study and read. I think if I do my writing/teaching/moneymaking activities in the morning that I can read/study my craft in the afternoons. I’ve wanted to do this for years, and given the economic times, it’s a smart career move too, I expect. We will all need to become better writers. And if not now, when?

Maybe you can’t afford to work part-time yet. I know that situation is a reality for many of us. But if you can squeeze out even a daily hour to read current books in your field and study a writing craft book, I encourage you to do it. I can’t wait! It’s going to be a very good year.

9 Comments »

1. 

   Happy Birthday! What a great idea for a birthday present for yourself. I have heard alot of people talk about the need to read widely to know what is being published. Being a new housewife (without the complication of children as of yet) I find that I have had time to read books on craft as well as many YA and Christian Romance novels. It is a blessing to have the extra time to do this now…but I don’t know how I will be able to keep it up once we start our family. I have found reading, and taking courses to really help my writing. I am currently reading “On Writing Well” and taking the apprentice course from Christian Writers Guild. I am also learning from bloggers who have been there. I have been so blessed by your blog. Thank you and Happy Birthday.

   Stina Rose

   Comment by Stina Rose — December 8, 2008 @ 1:39 pm

2. 

   Kristi, Happy Birthday and what a wonderful gift to give yourself.

   I read in snippets and stolen moments, with the occasional, if rare, reading jag, and I read in excess of 100 books a year. Consistently.

   My challenge, as I raise my children and try to invest as much of myself in them as possible while also working full-time, is to gradually decrease my reading to increase my writing. Easier said than done because writing requires more of me than reading does, which I can do anywhere, anytime. But I’m working on it.

   Comment by PatriciaW — December 8, 2008 @ 6:47 pm

3. 

   Stina Rose, thanks for the good wishes! Yes, I think TIME is the best gift I could give anybody I know this year. You’re doing some excellent things right now to build your career. When the kids come, you do have to adjust to doing things in bits and pieces. I started writing with three babies and toddlers, so I learned that way. I had to adjust to learning to write when the house was quiet when they went to school. It was TOO quiet for me! (Not anymore though. 8-))
   Kristi

   Comment by Kristi Holl — December 8, 2008 @ 8:18 pm

4. 

   Patricia, thank you. (I love your smile, by the way. ) I’m in awe that you read more than 100 books/year while working full-time and raising children. It can be done! Yes, writing does require more from us than reading does. That’s why often writers get up early to write first. It seems at the end of the day it’s asking too much of a tired body!
   Kristi

   Comment by Kristi Holl — December 8, 2008 @ 8:21 pm

5. 

   Hi Kristi… and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I’m sure you won’t remember me, but I wrote to you a few times when you were the webmaster of the ICL site. I was delighted to find your blog a few weeks ago via Jan Field (and the current ICL newsletter).

   I’m thinking of doing something similar to what you’re talking about in the new year. I’ve drifted away from writing for children in the years after my own kids left home (although the grandkids have started to come along, so we’re into another cycle). However, a while back I found an online picture book course by Anastasia Suen. I’m seriously considering signing up for it in the new year. It will mean reading a great many children’s books as part of the assignments, as well as preparing several picture book mss. Even though I could do this on my own, I need the accountability a course demands, as well as the inspiration of reading what others have done.

   Good luck in your studies!

   Comment by violet — December 9, 2008 @ 3:23 am

6. 

   Yes, actually, I do remember you! I imagine it’s your lovely name that sticks in my mind. I have heard very, very good things about Anastasia’s PB course, and I think you would learn a lot from it. I think studying and learning is exciting, and I’m looking forward to 2009!
   Kristi

   Comment by Kristi Holl — December 9, 2008 @ 2:20 pm

7. 

   Happy Birthday, Kristi!

   And thanks for the great advice! I have a hard time with that- three little kids keep my busy enough that I don’t feel like I have time to just sit and read, but if I think of it as homework or a career move, maybe I can squeeze it into my schedule a little more!

   Comment by Avily Jerome — December 9, 2008 @ 7:12 pm

8. 

   Avily, I sure understand. When your kids are little, you’re lucky to have time to brush your teeth! Make the goal smaller–not one novel every day–but maybe a juvenile novel every week. You can always adjust “up” later. I wish I had started that years ago!
   Kristi

   Comment by Kristi Holl — December 9, 2008 @ 7:48 pm

9. 

   Wow! As a parent of three and a teacher, O know how difficult it is to make time for yourself, much less for writing and personal development. I love your writing and how you connect your experiences and make them universal (or almost so). It’s something I try to convey to my students.

   Comment by Jose M. Blanco — July 19, 2010 @ 10:13 am

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