The Truth About What I’ve Been Up To

Hello lovely readers and fellow authors,

It's been a while, hasn't it? I’ve had a lot of things on my plate recently, and whilst I have genuinely enjoyed all aspects, it’s also got me thinking a lot. With this, I wanted to pop in and give you an update on what I've been up to, because I feel like I owe it to you all.

First off, the big news: I've started a new job! I wasn’t really looking for one, but after picking up some casual work over the Easter weekend that offered the chance for regular shifts, I accepted. It’s been a bit of a challenge trying to adjust to this added responsibility, but I'm grateful for the opportunities it's opening up for my future. I should also mention that I do have a second job, but it only takes up 1-2 days a week, so is easier to manage. 

This new job, coupled with my studies as a full-time university student, has really got me thinking about my future, particularly in careers that aren't directly related to writing or editing. Since before I considered publishing my first book, I’ve wanted to become a teacher and whilst I’m still undecided about what of exactly, the more I explore this career path and the closer I get to graduation (I'm now over halfway through my degree), the more promising it seems, especially in terms of making a stable living. It’s a path I’m genuinely excited about, even if I wonder if I can balance pursuing it alongside a career in publishing and editing. Oh, and have I mentioned I decided that wasn’t enough and also started a TAFE course? 

Many of you know I've been running Bee and Quill Edits, my freelance editing service. And I'll be honest, it's been a mixed bag of emotions. On the one hand, I truly enjoy the work itself. There's something incredibly rewarding about helping other authors polish their manuscripts and bring their stories to life. It's also made me incredibly reflective about my own writing, highlighting areas where I can improve and new techniques to consider. However, I won't lie: it's been a struggle to balance the responsibilities of running a business with everything else on my plate. There are days when I find myself slightly disliking it, simply because of how much time it takes away from my own creative pursuits. It’s a constant push and pull between the satisfaction of helping others and the longing to work on my own projects. However, given how much enjoyment it brings me, and the great connections it has allowed me to make, I'm excited to continue pursuing this adventure. I'm constantly making plans for how I can continue to build this business. Hopefully, once I get on top of my other responsibilities, I can spend some time diving deep into where I want to go with it and share some of my ideas. In saying this, if you're looking for an affordable editor, early reader or similar, hit me up! I'd love to see how I can help you. All of my rates are available on my website! 

On a slightly different note, I also wanted to mention something else that brings me a lot of joy: my work at The Odyssey Youth Literary Magazine. Since its launch just over a year ago, I have volunteered as a prose editor with them. It’s been such a rewarding experience to support emerging young voices. Despite how busy life has been, I'm  hoping to continue to support this magazine and pour more attention into it in the coming months. It’s a way for me to give back to the literary community that has given me so much, and it truly feels like a worthwhile endeavour. If you're a teen looking to publish your short prose or poetry, look no further! We also publish a range of blogs on insightful literary topics so make sure to check these out. Additionally, if you're a published children's or YA author, we're continually seeking new voices for our monthly author interviews. Visit the website to get in contact to enquire if you will suit our vision!

This brings me to another big revelation: I've been questioning my future as an author. It feels strange to say, especially as April and May were my best months yet in terms of sales. But even with that success, the practicalities of making a full-time living as an author weigh heavily on my mind. When I look at the potential for a teaching career, which offers a more stable and reliable income, I find myself asking how much effort I want to pour into being an author. I have so many book plans bubbling away in my head, and I'm truly hoping to dedicate more time to writing these in the coming months. Yet, there's a nagging fear that I might be losing my passion for writing. To help combat this, I’m hoping to share more about my future publishing plans (which did consist of eight clear story plans until Jojo Siwa threw a wrench in those plans… but more about this another time). 

Adding to that, I've also been in a bit of a reading slump. I haven't been picking up books with the same enthusiasm I used to, and I'm really lacking that passion to dive into new stories. It's a disheartening feeling for someone who lives and breathes books. I'm actively trying to find a good book that will reignite that spark and hopefully get me back into the groove of both reading and writing.

Oh, and whilst less interesting to you, I feel this is still important to mention as I dive into everything that has been on my plate. My family has been going through a lot recently with my mum being in hospital more times than not this month before finally this week getting surgery intended to tie her over to a bigger surgery at the end of this month. I’ve arranged to move back in with her to help care for my little sisters (which involves spending three hours of my day now driving them to school) and make sure she isn’t straining herself. To add to this, my older sister will be unable to drive her car for a few months, which living in rural Australia pretty much spells doom. I’m hoping to help out where I can, which will mean driving another two hours each day to deliver her to work and pick her up. In more exciting news, my younger sister has just bought her first home with her boyfriend (at 19 in this economy?? Don’t ask me how they did it, but it is literally the most stunning house and exactly what they need). And yes, now she’s immediately starting to make plans to extend her family (with more fur babies!). Anyway, that’s enough to share for now in terms of family life, though I could really go on and on. 

So, that’s where I’m at. Writing, studying, studying more, working, working more, editing, volunteering, family life… the list goes on! It's a messy, wonderful, and sometimes overwhelming journey. I wanted to share this with you all, not just as an update, but also as a way to connect and be honest about the realities of balancing creative passions and family with life's demands.

Have any of you experienced similar feelings? How do you manage to juggle your creative pursuits with other career aspirations or life changes? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

*Photo by Kritika Hasija on Unsplash