Marie Higgins is one of the most prolific authors I know. She has published a scadillion books (yes, that is an actual number) through traditional publishers and also as an independent author. She is also a mother and holds down a full-time job. I have no idea how she does it, so I asked her to tell us all her secrets as the topic for her guest blog today. I turn the time over to Marie. And when you're done reading her thoughts, enter to win a $25.00 Amazon gift card. And go buy her newest book, Take My Heart.
My writing life while raising a family…
This subject is really a loaded question since I’m not even sure I know how I was able to write while raising a family and working full time. So, bear with me while I travel back in time a little…
Once upon a time… heeheee No, my life is definitely not a fairytale. When I first started writing, my youngest was six years old and in Kindergarten. I worked only part time during these years, so it was a little easier for me to find time for my writing. When I realized my daughters didn’t need me at their side constantly, I decided I wanted to keep my mind active with writing than to sit on the couch and watch tv and be unproductive. So, after I helped my daughters with their homework—and after I fixed dinner—I grabbed my notebook and pencil (we didn’t have computers back then…they were called Word Processors, but I couldn’t afford to have one anyway) and wrote my stories while curled up on the couch. The tv was downstairs as was the kids’ toy room, so I had the peace and quiet I needed to create. As the girls grew and relied on me to take them to school functions, I was always there for them. If they needed help with their homework, they knew they could find me in my writing room (by this time, I did own a Word Processor), and I put my stories away and helped my daughters.
Soon came the time when I had to start working eight hours a day. I really didn’t know if I could do this and write—and be a mother, too. It took me a few months to adjust, but soon I started writing again. The girls had more school activities, and my husband needed some attention as well. I realized that if I was going to make a career out of my writing, I needed to focus better. I needed to write the story from start to finish instead of working on one chapter for months before moving on. I joined online critique groups who helped a lot, and I finally started to feel like I was learning my craft without making millions of mistakes.
Now it’s a routine. I wake up at 7:00 a.m. to get ready for work, then I come home at 5:00 p.m. I make dinner and eat. Then after dinner I’m in the computer room writing until 9:30 p.m. when I get ready for bed. My girls are grown and have left the house. (YEAH!) My husband now realizes how important it is for me to write and bring in a little extra money each month (since he’s out of a job and has been for two years). My focus is better, and I can write a story from start to finish in about six weeks. I don’t write every night because my daughter and grandkids come over to visit, but once they leave I’m back on the computer. And…believe it or not, hubby and I do have date nights.
About the author
Marie Higgins is a multi-published author of romance; from refined bad-boy heroes who makes your heart melt to the feisty heroines who somehow manage to love them regardless of their faults. Visit her website / blog to discover more about her –http://mariehiggins84302.
Thank you Tristi for having me on your blog today!
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