Simple question, right? But perhaps not so easy to answer.
For example, creativity is at the center of my writing career.
That means the part of my work that I love the most is the creating part (often this is writing but not always).
Right after creating, I value the teaching part of what I do.
If I were Starbucks, creating would be my perfect shot of espresso.
Following closely by teaching (the perfect espresso shot plus hot milk).
After teaching, I have to pause and rub my chin for a minute. But if I’m being totally honest, platform building (aka marketing–go ahead and think I’m shallow) is another favorite job of mine.
Platform building is like my…cappucino, if we continue with the Starbucks analogy.
And by the Starbucks analogy, I mean I have one key thing at the center of what I do. Just like Starbucks has that killer shot of espresso at the center of what they do.
I don’t care if they started with drip coffee. (I’m not sure what they started with, actually.) It’s all about the espresso now.
And since my creativity is only limited by my imagination, I feel like I have infinite options of how to proceed in my writing career.
I mean how many different drinks can you make with an espresso shot?
Plenty.
Therefore, the onus is on me to make good choices.
Good choices with my topics, my audiences, my time, and my publishing partners. The same applies to making good choices as a teacher and as a platform builder.
Frankly, it’s a lot to juggle. Fortunately, last year, I pared way back to just the things that bring me the most satisfaction.
Like Simon Cowell, it got to the point in several of my endeavors where I was phoning it in. And that didn’t feel good. I felt stuck. Burdened. Over-committed.
So I made better choices and now here I am feeling as optimistic as a shot of espresso in the Pacific Northwest. 🙂
What’s at the center of your writing career? (Feel free to borrow my Starbucks analogy. I’m going to keep using it too.)
Comments on this entry are closed.
Interesting one and loving the coffee metaphor as I'm sat here with my morning latte as I read (and type). At the centre of my career as a writer is my desire to express not only my creativity but the value of that creativity. I don't mean pounds and dollars here. I mean that my creative work is worthwhile. I was never going to be good at secretarial work (which I struggled to do for many years)and accountancy leaves me feeling empty (yup, tried that one too) but as a writer I can bring value and enjoyment to my readers and the audiences who see my plays.
Center of my writing career? hmmmm. Writing. Bringing the ancient world to life. I believe that times change yes but people don't so we can share in ancient struggles and victories that can affect our world today. But then life seems to draw me away from that center to add a different perspective…family. At times I find them colliding like balloons held in one hand. One knocks the other off center and I have to struggle to get both back under control. Some days the balloons are so full of gases, my feet don't touch the ground. Other days, I have to keep them from bursting on the stones at my feet. I guess that's life huh
Good thoughts! And good analogy. I really enjoyed this post. 🙂
Thanks for commenting, Fi. 🙂
Thanks for your comment, Judy. 🙂
Thanks, Lydia. 🙂
The center of my writing career is creativity also. I have a great desire and need to take other's pain and make it better and I try to do this in my writing. I also have many things on my heart that seem to come out in my writing. I love your Starbucks analogy. I am working on a novel that is dear to my heart and I hope someday to see it published. I think my biggest problem with my writing is the fear of not being anygood. Do you think other writers have this fear? I loved your book that I won. Thank you.