Absolutely.

Does it often mean early mornings and late nights?

Sure.

Do you ever second-guess yourself about, well, about everything?

You bet.

The other day at a book signing, a reader asked about the process of an idea to a finished book. I began to explain, and she said that it all seemed like so much work.

She wasn’t wrong.

And then there’s that vulnerability. Art is a tricky beast. With each story, or painting, or podcast you put out there, you’re really putting yourself out there. I think even the thickest skin feels a bit of a pinch with an unpleasant review. We’re only human.

But, at the end of the day, the possibility of those readers who get you, who get the story, who love the characters? That possibility is worth the pinch—or even a punch to the gut.

That day, I also began to explain that when a writer is so passionate about what she’s doing, many times it doesn’t seem like work. It’s that whole “loving what you do” thing, you know?

When I’m laughing with my characters, I can easily forget the time of day. When my heart feels so strong about a story’s message and character’s growth, I can simply turn down the volume on that doubting inner dialogue.

So, yeah, writing is a lot of hard work, with a lot of crazy hours, and you may find yourself in those total second-guess-yourself moments, but when you’re meant to write, like there was ever a choice?

Amberly Kristen Clowe has loved literature since she was a little girl. The elementary school teacher now has four published children’s stories, including her latest, Teeny Sweeney and the Mustache Cash. Amberly is kept wonderfully busy by spending time with family, along with tackling her many writing projects and teaching children at her church.

You can find Amberly online at these websites.

www.amberlykristenclowe.com
www.facebook.com/amberlykclowe
www.twitter.com/AmberlyClowe

About Teeny Sweeney and the Mustache Cash

Third-grader Teeny Sweeney has been one-upped by seemingly perfect Amanda Mayweather too many times. When their teacher assigns a project to create a business plan, Teeny knows she’s destined for success. After all, with two entrepreneurs as parents, business sense is in her blood! The best laid plans, though, often go awry. Teeny will have to learn that God’s plan is one she can always trust, and that with prayer it is possible to love everyone—even Amanda Mayweather. With Teeny, young readers will learn that even when things don’t seem to work out, you can always trust God’s plan.