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Blog to support the book "Creatively Self-Employed: How Writers and Artists Deal with Career Ups and Downs" by Kristen Fischer

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Location: Point Pleasant, New Jersey, United States

30-something Jersey gal working as a freelance writer. Starbucks addict, beach-lover, kitty mother.

Creatively Self-Employed Website

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

I loved the tips for getting out of a rut. I agree with Swirly--once you are living a creative dream you can get so wrapped up in your work that you need to create for the sole fact of creating.

I was thinking about my post the other night when I was watching Arena Bowl 2008. I'm not an arena fan, but I am more stoked about football season than most. So it really got me in the mood." Anyway, I wanted to do something creative...so I beaded a necklace.

I'm glad I did. I loved working with the beads. I know I should sell the stuff I make or I'll have ton of necklaces. But again, I'm trying to create for the sole fact of creating. Beading was good because it has nothing to do with writing. I wonder what I will try next (aside from Starbucks' Vivanno with chocolate and banana--that's a new discovery!)

Maybe I will paint like Elise...


link | posted by Kristen at 5:23 PM | 0 comments


Tuesday, July 22, 2008


Courtesy of Mati Rose


I was thinking about what happens when you fall into a rut. Sometimes especially if you do non-creative things (for example, I write about very boring stuff sometimes) it can cause you to get a little non-motivated or unhappy with your career. Even the "dream career" you thought you had. Even the one you left that cushy desk job for. The one that you could never tell anyone else isn't all it's cracked up to be.

But hey, that's why this blog exists. All those feelings are okay and it's great to explore them.

And it's possible that you don't have to give up on your creative career just because you fall into a rut. Be aware of falling into a rut or experiencing burnout. I've had both happen and there is a huge difference. A rut is where you aren't really motivated to do anything because everything feels monotonous. Burnout is when you're fried even from doing what you love becuase it's all you've been doing.

Having been through burnout, I'd definitely say the "rut" thing is more of where i am now. Copywriting. Day in, day out. While I like it, the work can get a little bland. Being at home can feel monotonous. It's sooo comfortable sometimes that it's boring, even though I like being at home.

My rut comes from not doing what I really enjoy--which is the book and magazine writing. That stuff was always there when I felt stuck in boring copywriting work. I've got to revive that goodness.

So I want to get out of my rut, and I think the best way to do that is to shift.

Simply change the pace a little.

So I'm going to try to do some other creative things. Beading. Painting. Taking photos. Those are all different things I don't do everyday. Hopefully those things will get me going into working on a concept for Book #3 or finally getting a real magazine article proposal together.

I'll be keeping you posted on my progress.



How do you get out of a rut or break free from burnout?



link | posted by Kristen at 1:54 PM | 3 comments


Thursday, July 10, 2008


Courtesy


I found the link to this picture over at Sparkletopia, one of my favorite online destinations for a quick dose of beauty and inspiration. Christine really does have some lovely inspirational stuff there. I wish I made more time for stuff like that. Lately I don't browse blogs a lot or look for new artists. Lately, I work and read.

I have to say that even though I'm still working lots, life has calmed in the past few months. I stopped taking on a part-time job, which has been challenging. I have more gaps of time to entertain myself, which often winds up in me being anxious at the spare time. Not having a commute, I have more time at home to get my work done and get on to other things. And when work isn't super busy, that gives me time, time, time.

A lot of people imply that I've got nothing but free time, but really, my time to me is valuable. Even when I'm not on the clock, I can be working on marketing efforts. And when I'm not working...well, let's just say I have a large stack of summer reading already accomplished. (Check me out on GoodReads.com and feel free to add me!) And my backyard is looking fabulous from all the maintenance. So are my biceps.

Having "spare time" may sound like a horrible thing. I know because I used to be a self-proclaimed workaholic. I'd have to say that I've changed my mind on that. I've slowed down a bit. I still work hard and sometimes work a lot, but I'm making time for other things and I'm loving it.

How do you make time for yourself?
What do you do with it??


link | posted by Kristen at 8:43 PM | 2 comments