runt said:
I have been writing since elementary school. I had a few poems published in middle school. But now that I graduated high school it seems like the hope of getting anything published is extremely doubtful. I am taking courses for Children's Literature and I'm going to be going for my Master's degree in English soon. I feel so worn out between finishing this children's book I've been working on and school and work. I'm also doing all the housework, taking care of my daughter (she's a toddler who gets into everything), and looking for freelance writing work. I am completely exhausted. I'm about to give up on writing. Maybe I should just get my Bachelor's degree in English and go for an Editorial position or something.
Oh, yes. Toddlers. Gotta love them -- when they're sleeping.
Seriously. I agree with the whole degree issue. Sometimes you don't need it. I don't have a degree but I still managed to get jobs here and there. All the same, I'm
definitely for continuing your education, so if you're in a position to pursue the degree, I echo the suggestion to "go for it."
I am also reading your post and thinking you really DO need a break. Sheesh, that's a lot on your plate! I don't work or go to school but I can understand the demands of parenting a toddler.
The truth is, when your children are young, they have to come first.
But that doesn't mean you need to give up writing. It just means your schedule changes. Period. It's a matter of improvising. I went without a lot of sleep, a lot of socializing and hardly watched TV/went to the gym/hung out at the mall, etc., because every free moment I had went to writing. I wrote when my daughter played with her toys on my lap or on the floor next to me. I used to have this looong desk and she'd be propped up on one end playing/coloring/eating, etc., while I got some writing done. I wrote when she was in the tub, as I rocked her to sleep and even while eating at the dinner table. But of course there were times I hardly got ANY writing done. I know the exhaustion in parenting a toddler.
But, they DO grow up fast. Sometimes I think TOO fast. My little one will be 5 this October and heading off to kindergarten.
I really think the issue here is burnout. I went through this, too. You have to ride it out. It's just a signal that you need to turn inward and focus on YOUR needs and YOUR priorities right now. I would suggest hiring a sitter or asking a friend or relative to babysit for an hour or two so you can get a break. and, remember, the house doesn't HAVE to be spotless!
Even if you quit writing, it doesn't mean you have to "permanently" quit. Trust me, that muse will be knocking on your door every once in a while.
Keep that door unlocked and just scribble things down in your free time or when your little one takes naps. (Thank goodness for naps!!) But don't pile on the pressure to WRITE EVERY DAY or to get X amount of writing done. Go easy on yourself.
Follow your heart. Follow your dreams. No matter how mired or turbulent that road to publication gets, there's a light at the end of the tunnel with your name on it.