By Amanda Mawhinney (Pen name: Miranda Herald) on September 25th, 2023
We know that being a wordsmith is a thrilling yet demanding journey. With the constant demand for content, it’s easy to get lost in the sea of words and forget to take care of ourselves.
As subscription authors, we are focusing on building relationships with our readers.
That means in addition to writing and marketing our work, we are responding to reader comments, sending out swag, sparking community conversations, and trying to personalize our messages to our fans.
It can be a huge time commitment and overwhelming if you let your subscription take control of your life instead of being in the driver’s seat yourself.
Whether you struggle with finding enough time to write, spend time with family, or take care of your own personal health, fear not, for here are some practical tips to help you master the art of work-life balance.
Time Management and Scheduling:
Ah, the magical world of time management!
I feel that subscription authors struggle with this more than any other kind of writer because, in an author’s attempt to be present and available to their fans, they can sometimes be ‘on the clock’ all day long.
I feel like there is a spectrum between those who thrive on detailed schedules and those who like to wing it. You might go about time management in different ways, but figuring out where you spend your time now and how you want to spend your time in the future is important for everyone to find a good mix of what they want their life to look like going forward.
Time management is a subject that I feel needs a lot more depth than this article can provide, but to get started you can take one week and keep track of everything you do, when you do it, and how long it takes you.
Then take some time to analyze your week and look at what you want to prioritize and what you need to cut. That can sound a bit exhausting especially when juggling many hats, but I have found that sometimes trying to juggle all of the hats at the same time can be a problem all in itself.
Prioritizing self-care and well-being:
Let’s face it—writing can be an all-consuming passion, but neglecting self-care will eventually dim your creative flame. Carve out time for activities that rejuvenate your body and mind.
Whether it’s a soothing bubble bath, a walk in nature, playing with the kids, or indulging in your favorite hobby, make self-care a priority. Remember, a well-rested and fulfilled author is a productive one!
Ways that you can focus on taking care of yourself are regular exercise, a balanced diet, and ample sleep into their routines.
Activities such as meditation, yoga, or other mindfulness practices can also assist in managing stress and boosting mental health.
Taking regular breaks during work hours is also crucial to prevent burnout.
Variations of Pomodoro writing sprints can be especially helpful in helping you focus on writing during your writing time and taking a break during your break time.
As a subscription author, you can take that idea a step further and set a timer when responding to comments in your community too! A key idea here is to treat self-care as a non-negotiable part of the schedule, just like any professional commitment.
Setting boundaries:
As subscription authors, we are often eager to please our readers and hold high expectations of ourselves. However, setting boundaries is crucial to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Define your working hours and communicate them clearly with your readers.
Maybe you respond to comments in batches after a full-time job or late at night after the kids are asleep. Find whatever works for you, but set the expectation early that you are not always at your reader’s beck and call.
As subscription authors, we want to make sure that we are always providing consistent content and engaging subscribers. That’s good. That’s how we are successful.
The part authors don’t realize is that you are allowed to take a vacation. You can take a sick day, but you can’t just disappear. Let your readers know when they can expect new content, and be transparent about your availability.
Remember, you’re human too, and everyone needs time to recharge.
Delegating – Using PA, technology, or fans to work for you:
Superhero authors, it’s time to assemble your support team! There is only so much time in the day and always more that needs to be completed. Depending on where you are in your author career, you may want to consider hiring the help of a personal assistant (PA), enlisting the help of your subscribers, or utilizing technology to automate tasks that eat up your time.
A few of the many things PAs can do for you is take over your social media accounts, submit to newsletters, and seek out author swaps.
If you make it fun and special, your fans will be thrilled if you seek them out to be part of a welcoming committee for new subscribers, street team for sharing your social media posts, or leaving reviews on your books that they are already reading.
There is so much technology out there that can be used to help you streamline your processes. Depending on your personal limitations and priorities, you might want to start with programs for scheduling social media posts, plotting, editing, or project management.
Continuing to grow/pursuing passion projects outside of writing:
Subscription authors should dedicate time to learning new skills, staying updated with industry trends, and enhancing their craft.
This can help improve their efficiency and productivity, reduce the time spent on tasks they find challenging, and ultimately contribute to a better work-life balance.
This could involve taking writing courses, learning new software, or participating in webinars and industry conferences. These things are important and help you grow, especially if you are at the beginning of your author subscription career.
Conversely, subscription authors should not let your subscriptions become the sole focus of your creative universe.
Whether you are writing full-time or as a hobby, there is so much to learn. Almost every day I hear of a new technology to try, a new book to read, or a new course to take.
Writing and your subscription can be your passion, but if you let it overtake your life, it can lead to stagnation and burnout. To keep the fire burning, explore other avenues that ignite your passion.
Pursue side projects or hobbies that inspire you, like creating book covers, painting, or gardening. Some of these activities help free the mind of writing and sometimes provide a muse for future stories. Cultivating diverse interests will not only nurture your creativity but also provide a well-rounded life outside the realm of writing.
Finding work-life balance is an ongoing process—one that requires dedication, adaptability, and sometimes a touch of humor. Prioritize self-care, set boundaries, delegate when needed, manage your time wisely, and keep pursuing those passion projects that set your soul ablaze.
By balancing your writing and subscription with the rest of your life, your subscription will enrich your own life as you deepen relationships with your readers.
About the Author
Amanda Mawhinney writes adventure romance stories under the pen name Miranda Herald. During the days Amanda is a homeschooling mom of 4 young kids and enjoys their little hobby farm.