Guest Blogger - C.J. West

Today I'd like to welcome suspense novelist C.J. West, who writes about the lighter side of being a writer.  Please visit C.J. at C.J. West on Amazon - but if he seems to be staring off into space, leave him alone -- he's working! ~ Sheila

Writing at Home

by C.J. West

When my last physical was over, my doctor asked, “You still writing suspense novels?”

“Absolutely.” I smiled.

“But what do you do to make a living?” he asked.

If I sold a book for every time I heard that one...

Then yesterday someone asked about my schedule and was surprised that I usually work well past midnight. That’s if you call what I do work. I love writing and if I’m not sleeping, spending time with my kids, or doing chores, I’m working.

My boss is a slave driver!

Work for me can be anything from researching a subject for a new book, writing and editing a novel, to spending time online connecting with friends in the writing community.

Since the writing life is such a mystery to non-writers, I thought I’d shine a light on what my little corner of the universe is like.

The End of Marking Time by C.J. West

 

The top 10 great things about being a writer in the digital world:

10. Writing connects me with thousands of great people all over the globe.

9. My commute consists of pulling back the covers and stretching to power on my laptop.

8. The digital store is open 365 days a year (366 this year) and I can see exactly what I’m earning minute to minute.

7. Tweeting and Facebooking are considered important job skills.

6. Blogging about my addiction to chocolate or my attempts to diet earn me readers.

5. My office fits in a carry-on with room to spare. I can work on a beach or plane.

4. When I’m looking out the window and dreaming, I’m doing my best work.

3. My imaginary coworkers can’t sue for sexual harassment and they don’t complain about working conditions or low pay.

2. People write to tell me my writing has changed their lives.

1. The digital explosion has allowed me to reach tens of thousands and earn a living doing what I love.

Ten worst things about being a writer in the digital world:

10. Mediating squabbles on the digital playground.

9. There is no excuse for being late to work.

8. I can check my earnings minute to minute but sometimes it’s better not knowing.

7. My family and friends think I should have a real job.

6. Everyone thinks I’m available to help them 24/7. See # 7.

5. Marketing. I love writing. I’m not fond of selling. (But I do like giving stuff away.)

4. Thousands of people think I can write a bestselling book about their great idea, give them half the royalties, and we’ll both be rich. It’s funny until they ask the third time.

3. If something good happens in the book business it’s always luck.

2. If something bad happens, it’s my fault.

1. My imaginary coworkers don’t do what they’re told even though I created them.

I hope you enjoyed this peek into my writing life.

C.J. West is the author of suspense novels The End of Marking Time, Sin and Vengeance, A Demon Awaits, Gretchen Greene, Addicted To Love and Taking Stock. Sin and Vengeance, the first book in C.J.’s Randy Black series was optioned into development for film by Beantown Productions, LLC (screenplay by Marla Cukor). C.J. blogs at www.cjwestkills.wordpress.com . You can also find him at www.22wb.com or at www.facebook.com/cjwestfans

 

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Sheila's Weekly Writing Prompt

• Pick a number from 1-10.
• Pick another number from 1-10.

NO PEEKING UNTIL YOU PICK YOUR NUMBERS!

NOW....



• Pull out the "great thing" from C.J.'s first list that matches your first number.
• Pull out the "worst thing" from C.J.'s second list that matches your second number.
• Write a 250 word story that includes those two things. For instance, if your numbers are 7 and 2, someone in your story should be tweeting and/or facebooking, and should be held responsible for something bad.
• Come back and tell us how it went!

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Please come back for Artsy Fartsy Friday - I'll be talking about how different kinds of creative pursuits feed one another.