Treat it like any other job. This means that you should maintain a schedule just like you would any other job. For example, if the only time you can steal away and write is in the evenings when your kids are in bed, then maybe you should make a schedule to work on your large projects three nights of the week, your smaller projects three nights of the week, spend one evening searching for new jobs and reading about writing, and then one night off completely from working. This is far preferable to sitting down at your desk every night without a plan of attack (which will often lead to not too much getting done at all) and without a predetermined schedule of events. As money begins to roll in, you may want to work out some time with your spouse (if you have one) when you are not to be interrupted because you are writing…maybe a couple of hours on Saturday or Sunday can be designated as your serious writing time where you really get to work on your larger projects because you know you will be left alone to work. The more serious you are about your writing time, the more productive you will be. Even if it isn't your main job, you should still meet your deadlines. Many people start out writing while working another job, going to school, or raising children. The fact that you do not rely on writing income in the beginning does not give you carte blanche to disregard deadlines and not do your best on every single project you do. The people you are writing for - editors, webmasters, magazine owners - are probably not part-time people who do this sort of thing for a hobby. They are counting on your to turn in quality work on time. Don't gain the reputation as a writer that can't be counted on to deliver good work in a timely manner. Use this time in the beginning of your writing career as good practice for working in a professional manner, regardless of the pay involved or the other things you are doing in your life.