All right, dishes are in the dishwasher. Now we can talk. This whole writing thing is going pretty good this month. I might have another few new gigs coming up, and things are turning interesting just before the holidays. That's always good.
Sadly, I live in N.Y.
Lemme 'splain, Lucy.
At times being in N.Y. is wonderful for a career. Publishers are here. Other writers are here. There's a rich and deep culture floating around that you can tap into and use in all sorts of fun and exciting ways. It's a great tool to be used, if you want to.
When I have to do research, I can go to a museum and have a good chance of finding what I need there, to look at and take in. The city itself makes a great setting and has so many different pieces -- each one perfect for something else -- that it can be reused endlessly and never feel the same, if that's the goal.
Sounds great right? It can be.
It can also be this:
You can surround yourself with writers if you want. Every night. You can go out and enjoy their company and feel completely in your element. Every. Single. Night. Or you can out and listen to jazz, get great coffee, whatever you might want to do. Every night of the week and then some.
Which leaves how much time to actually write, I ask you?
Exactly. It's very easy to get so caught up in the process of "being a writer" that you forget to write. The walking death right there.
And then you have the problem of scale. In a smaller town you can send press releases out to the small local papers and announce books and projects, and if it is a slower news day they might carry your notice and give you some free press. At times they can even decide to interview you, spread your name and the name of your book around -- all for free.
In N.Y.? There are so many things competing for every inch of space that a small writer gets lost in a heartbeat. They don't care about you. No one does. Get used to it, it is a good feeling to get used to, in general, sure. It just limits some PR options off the bat.
I still wouldn't change living here for anything, but there are times when I realize that it could hinder my career in the early stages, as much as it can help it later on. Maybe even more. You just have to be aware of things and keep your eyes on the goal.
In other news this column comes out after the first holiday moment and before the second. Holidays are important. They're a time for family, for remembering and good food and all that fun shit.
Unless you're freelance. Then it's a time for more work and cramming every spare moment you suddenly find yourself in possession of full of work work work. It's great, and thrilling. I know this year both my holiday blocks are spoken for and filled to the brim with words to be put into place. That excites me!
It also means that my holidays are a blur of long hours and constant work. Wouldn't have it any other way. Just fair warning. Freelancers never have time off. Writers, artists, none of them. Celebrate THAT!
