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| The first Wednesday of the month is for IWSGers. Go here to learn more. |
I didn't start writing seriously until I was laid off from my job eight years ago and decided to cross book writing off my bucket list. Like many other writers, I discovered that writing a story worth reading is extraordinarily difficult and time consuming. It's a delicate mix of patience, focus, and skill made exponentially better through trial and error. I got my writing groove on.
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| My newest dog, Ghost, requires not only a daily walk, but also lots of "Me" time. |
But my groove required time to exercise AND walk the dog, care for my family, and volunteer for my kids' activities. Plus quiet time to roll plot lines and characters around in my head like worry stones.
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| My new job!!! |
I haven't found time to sit down and write anything new besides a blog post since.
This month I've determined to carve out writing time for myself a few days every week. I've got to. Bits and pieces of my next book are flitting around my head like light-starved moths. Ass in chair, words on paper. My mantra for November.To those of you who work full time and still manage to write, you are my role models.
Now, tell me how you do it.
I am continually impressed by my colleagues in RWA (romance writers) who write under contract while raising families and work. The best is they say they aren't special, they just work hard. It's helped me establish goals and treat writing more like how I treat my job.
ReplyDeleteWriting under contract doesn't leave a lot of wiggle room for sloughing. Summoning imagination and perseverance even on those days when you're not feeling that creative are impressive skills.
DeleteI suppose it has to do with passion and organization, and probably a really helpful spouse doesn't hurt either.
ReplyDeleteHeaping helpings of all three!
DeleteCongrats on the new dog and job. I worked for GSUSA as a long-time volunteer and as paid staff. Loved the organization. Carving out time with all the other obligations is so difficult. I admire those who can balance it all. I'm glad I'm retired and have unlimited time--after Hubs, the grandkiddies, etc.
ReplyDeleteHooray for a fellow Girl Scout! I love hooking new leaders up with troops of girls eager to start the program...
DeleteI am unemployed and looking. I have been trying to use the time to write. I have made some headway, but I do not think I get more accomplished. I think maybe I was more motivated to push myself to write, when I had to make time for it, instead of trying to set a schedule or routine. I am praying that I fall into a job I love, instead of one that stresses me out and makes writing harder, because of that stress of surviving the job and daily life.
ReplyDeleteKudos for finding something you love. I think you will find it easier to find your time to write, because you are happy in both areas of your life. That makes a world of difference in the doing. Good Luck.
Juneta at Writer's Gambit
You do raise an excellent point about unplanned time sometimes getting away from us. Having a schedule is good. I just have to figure out a feasible new schedule for my new situation. Not a bad situation to be in!
DeleteI like Ghost!
ReplyDeleteI guess I get it done by scheduling the writing hours and then not wavering. My wife knows that's my time to write and there are no interruptions. I think that helps to have your family on board with you.
I hope your wife has her own time-intensive hobbies that she loves because I don't know how you find the time you do to blog and write!
DeleteThat's a good mantra, one I need to adopt. Congrats on getting the job you like.
ReplyDeleteIt's a mantra I wish I followed better!
DeleteSounds as though you have made the commitment, and you know how I feel about the importance of AC/WP. No amount of talent or great story ideas will garner results unless one puts in the time. I agree with Stephen that it has to be considered a job. Keep at it.
ReplyDeleteI think you were the first one I ever heard that writing slogan from. It has great mental staying power!
DeleteI feel your pain. Major life events (packing up a house and moving and unpacking!) have eaten up my time for the last few weeks and I can't wait to get back to butt in chair time. It's tough to carve it out--but I gotta do it too. Funny, reading your title I thought this blog was going to be about revisions and cutting out unnecessary words. Hmm…I bet there's a connection somewhere!
ReplyDeleteThe blog title could definitely cover multiple topics! I hope you get back in your writing chair soon.
DeleteWriting with a family, job, and other responsibilities is such a balancing act! I'm still trying to figure out how to manage it all myself. But it is so important to carve out that time for you. Time to write and think only of your characters and their conflicts. Good luck finding that time and balance!
ReplyDeleteSo great to meet you through the IWSG! I'm your newest follower! :)
I've just carved out a little time for myself right now. One hour. Ready, set, go!
DeleteI work from home and still have dry spells so don't look at me. Everyone has their challenges you just need to find that drop of free time in a sea of busy and use it wisely.
ReplyDeletePrioritize, right? And focus, so I don't keep going off on tangents that take me away from writing?
DeleteI've found even when life took me away from writing, I always went back to it. Working in even one page a day can keep you connected through those times!
ReplyDeleteI am finding that spending even an hour working on my ms gets me thinking about it and looking forward to tweaking it again.
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