Rachael Craw is an author, writing mentor, and part-time teacher from New Zealand. When she is not writing, she enjoys reviewing fiction for social media, walking her dogs, and, like any true book lover, getting her hands on as many books as possible and giving them a new home on her ever-growing shelf. She currently lives in the South Island of New Zealand with her three daughters and husband, who see firsthand how her life experiences shape the literary worlds she creates.

I was in the staffroom yesterday at the high school where I teach English, and one of my colleagues asked, “How do you do it? Write and teach at the same time?” I replied, “My house is a mess, and I try to schedule my nervous breakdowns.” Oh, how we laughed – me unhinged, them pityingly. But seriously, with my fifth novel about to come out at the end of the month, it’s been good to reflect on how I have survived, thrived, fallen apart, rallied and marched on.

Find your people

Writing can be a lonely endeavor and finding community can make all the difference. For me, that started on Twitter, joining in on topic threads both industry based and messing around, having a laugh. As I developed a rapport with authors at a similar stage in their career to me, I found friends and allies I could turn to for advice, encouragement and insight into the industry. Authors are an angsty lot with many of the same hopes, dreams and fears and it does wonders for the soul to know we not alone.

Recognize the season you’re in

I have been very fortunate to be able to teach part time over the last couple of years, allowing me the privilege of writing time. This year was different, we had new financial commitments and a part time income wouldn’t cut it. I increased my teaching hours to full time and, unsurprisingly, writing came to a grinding halt. While I am blessed to have two vocations in my life that I love, the ache of not writing was at times … very achy. I deeply admire people who can do both and I wish I had a greater capacity for output and creativity but I don’t. So, this has been a teaching season and while I loved teaching, I felt sad about not writing and I’m knackered.

Adapt

Sadly, I spent most of the year berating myself for not writing. It wasn’t until term three that I finally let go and leaned into the season I was in. It was a relief to stop trying to make it happen. Yes, I battled bouts of guilt and fear: You’re losing momentum! It’s been too long between books! Readers will forget you! Publishers will lose interest! You’ll forget how to write!  Instead, I gave myself permission to just teach and rest and be with my family.

Develop a long-haul mindset

Until I become an overnight sensation or secure a wealthy benefactor, the reality is income is always going to be a problem as an author. For now, I am hoping to proceed by alternating full time teaching years with part time teaching years. My production of work is likely to be less – I’m a very slow writer – but it has to be sustainable for my family and me. I want to still be writing in ten years … twenty years … and being an art monster doesn’t always pay the bills or keep a marriage together or make life pleasant for one’s family.

Listen to your body

Make friends with fruit and vege – go for a bloody walk.

Take courage

Several times this year my writing peers have given me courage to say no to things that previously I would have said yes to out of panic or fear of missing out. This courage was found through honest conversations about commitments, conditions and money. Publishing is a secret squirrel business and publishers don’t like authors to talk about their advances and deals. Silence is a trap designed to keep us powerless. Yes, contract agreements must be honoured but sometimes we need to know – hey, that’s a crap deal. Or, hey, it’s okay to say no to that offer. Or, hey, you can negotiate, withdraw a submission, set terms that work for you, take the time you need.

Give courage

Be approachable to new comers. Be welcoming. Be generous. Boost their profiles. Share their good news, their cover reveals, their book launches. Make room. Remember what it’s like to be the new kid. I remember what it was like being the new, clueless kid at the age of 37. I was terrified but so grateful for the children’s book community who invited me to join Facebook groups, or who responded to my tweets and let me sit at the table.

Lean in to truth

I have learned to trust my own judgment, to trust my own ear and to recognize what is worth fighting for in the editing process. However, I have learned over and over how important it is to receive criticism and lean into that uncomfortable space. I want the work to be good even more than I want the work to be published and trust me, I want the work to be published. Chris Else taught me that while praise is good for the soul it does little for the technical development of your craft – not that he wasn’t a kind and generous mentor! We all need a mirror that tells the truth, identifies the problems, the weaknesses. Inevitably, honest feedback will resonate with our own instinct – if we can park our pride long enough to receive it.

Be kind to yourself

This is a tough gig. You’re not a machine or a robot. If you want to create you have to take care of your heart, mind, body and soul. Nobody else will do this for you.

Join your Author Association

This goes back to my first tip about finding community. In New Zealand, the New Zealand Society of Authors NZSA is our broader community and the closest thing we have to a union. We need each other – especially if we want to survive the long haul. We are always stronger together.

The Lost Saint by Rachael Craw

After her tragic break-up, Ana is in a bit of a daze when she and her high school go on a field trip to explore 14th-century mystical landmarks. Then, while sneaking off to a party in a sacred cave, an earthquake hits, and the students emerge into a world very different from their own. They are transported to a medieval battlefield, and Ana is chased off a cliff by Lieutenant Leon, who feels an immediate spark with this otherworldly girl. Together, they work to find “The Saint”, who is said to have the power to return Ana and her friends home.

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