As of this writing, I’ve been a South Carolina resident for two years and ten months. In the time since pulling up roots in Ohio, I’ve published four novels (five, if you count my September release), revised 50% of another work, and published a how-to manual for writers, Reviews Sell Books.

You’ve probably guessed that I keep frightfully long hours. Most people dream of self-employment, but here’s a hard truth: it’s difficult to walk away from your professional life when the daily commute take...