May 2010
Writing Fiction in Real Life

Would you like to do freelance writing and maybe even publish a book without giving up your full-time day job? It can be done! At the May 19 CWIP program, Chicago writer Claire Zulkey talked about how she published her first novel, An Off Year, while working full-time as assistant to the editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association and freelancing as a television critic for the Los Angeles Times and the AV Club.

Zulkey challenges herself to write at least five pages a day amid everything else she has to do. On a typical workday, she thinks about her writing while she showers and dresses, and takes time out only to walk her dog and cook dinner with her husband, who is as busy as she is. Zulkey says she couldn’t juggle all of her responsibilities without a to-do list, clients who accept that her day job comes first, and friends who understand her hectic schedule.

Zulkey gave the following pointers on managing a freelance career while holding a full-time day job:

• Realize that your freelance business is full-time work, and schedule your personal life accordingly.
• Don’t say yes to every freelance job that comes your way.
• Keep track of who owes you money and what you plan to submit where.
• Do enjoyable “work,” such as attending readings and listening to music and audiobooks.
• Have someone in your life who understands your work and your goals.
• Don’t worry if you don’t get everything done.

After giving tips for balancing freelance projects with full-time work, Zulkey went on to talk about her book-writing career. It took her ten years to complete and publish her young adult novel, An Off Year. This experience taught her to outline when writing fiction (or nonfiction) to keep the story on track. She also learned not to start writing a book until she knows how it will end. Zulkey also acknowledged that writing a book is hard work and told the audience that every part is the hardest part until she gets down to fixing typos and choosing the cover.

Thinking of trying to balance freelancing and a full-time job? Zulkey emphasized that you have to be realistic about how busy you want to be. If you want the mental enrichment (and the financial perks) of a two- or three-pronged career, her blueprint for organizing your time and work could be a good place to start.

Rochelle Zappia was previously an associate editor at Glencoe/McGraw-Hill. She will soon be graduating from the paralegal degree-certificate program at Northwestern College. She can be reached at rochellezappia@yahoo.com.

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