By now I think most of you know I dropped off the crazy train and enjoy a calmer more pleasant pace, most of the time. Even so, finding time to write is a challenge. Intrusions come at me from every side and some days I wonder how I ever mangaged to finish three mss.
Life tends to interfere with my writing in a myriad of ways. I still have to take care of myself and family. And they won't go away.. stuck with them. smile
When I first started writing Mystic's Warrior nothing could pull me away. I wrote into the dead of the night when I knew DH could take care of the kids in the morning. I'd do a chore and rush back to the computer.
There was no balance to speak of and the family started to protest. Imagine. So I was forced to strike a balance between life and the book. At some point the pendulum swung over to the family and never quite reached the writing in an adequate way.
At present I actually have designated writing time. A rare treat to be sure. Responsibilities are still intruding to some extent, but I'm getting my space back. I'm learning to stand up and say, "Hey I really need to write. Could it wait?" "Sorry, I'm writing today."
How do you find/make time to write?
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I am virtually a wreckloose save for school, beach or work.
Work right now is writing. However, nine-to-five is lurking.
Ok . . . this is surreal.
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=Conjuror
It's also on Amazon.
Big Time, my friend.
Time to write? Like, who is kidding whom? I write during the 25th to 28th hour of each day. Also the 8th day of each week is devoted to writing. Otherwise there just aint no time. Or not enough.
This is what I managed to write today. grin
My Aunties
Viv the way you presented having no balance in your life struck me as hilarious.. still does.
HooRah Paul.. it just keeps getting better!
(is that enough in keeping with the theme?) Got through edits and a synopsis today. I'm bushed. DH is making dinner - and so what if it's Hamburger Helper? I don't have to make it or clean it up. yay!
When I write, I also cut out internet time and reading time. And when I finish writing something, I buy lots and lots of books to get back into the reading groove.
I'd guess I have more free time for writing than some of you because I have no kids and no husband. A lot of my time is actually my time.
And yes, while that has its good points, there are drawbacks as well.
Yippeeeeeeeeee!!!
Simon, I thnk you'd look good in a well cut suit. I also agree with Beth, they wouldn't have invited you for an interview if you didn't have qualifications worth looking at.
Viv, hang in there kiddo, not much left. And did I hear you say orchids? oooo, I gotta see...
Vivian, way to go on the finals! Whoo hoo! Are you going to do something to celebrate them being over tomorrow? This is wonderful, and you are to be congratulated!
As for men in suits. Um, no. Neck ties are only good for one thing, and it has nothing to do with being around a man's neck. My third most favorite thing on a man is a tux (black or gray, white shirt, and either no tie, or a bow tie for formal occassions. NO ruffles!) Second most favorite thing on a man is shorts and an aloha shirt. First most favorite thing on a man? Nothing, comes to mind.
I'm with Ken. Except during Nano, when I clearly was insane, I write on weekends. Just can't seem to get my brain wrapped around it the rest of the time. You know the kind of schedule I keep. And the way I fling myself heart and soul into my writing, there's nothing relaxing about it.
And like Jamie and Sia and Beth, the things that get tossed are housework, television, sleeping and reading. For the first time in my entire life, we no longer get a daily paper. I was so absorbed in my writing I didn't even notice hubs had cancelled it. I've read the daily paper since I was old enough to read. No more. As for writing on vacation? I'd have to take one to find out!
As a protest against higher utility costs, I'm thinking of rising and retiring with the sun, in which case there would be no time for writing, so my new plan is to write first thing in the morning, get back to it right before the sun goes down, and let my subconscious mind figure out the next step in the story while I sleep. That way I can write and sleep at the same time.
Always a pleasure to see your icon Ian. Find your passion and run with it.. is what I've been telling my kids.
How could you miss winter? It just left.. no wishing winter back..no, no, no..the rest of us need sun, glorious sun!
James I feel guilty writing when the family is around. Yes with exception of PP they are all big now.. but it's hard to let go in that arena.
If you look at my desk I think it's clear to see what gets neglected when I write. I sneek in clothes, dishes and some other odds and ends.. but the clutter gets ignored while I'm writing until it can no longer be ignored. Pitiful, I know.
No Idol spoilers, please. Yes I know David will win.. just don't specify m'kay?
They won't be able to do my roof for about 6 weeks, thank god its not caved in or a huge hole in it. No wait, they said they would have bumped me up to the head of the line for that.
Ok, I admit it, I'm a bit cranky and tired and I'm over men. Mini rant over.
I know who won American Idol. Neiner neiner neiner!
Wendy, yes, family time is important, so it's a priority for me, particularly when I've travelled as much as I have this year. Still, I try to get my writing in when I'm not doing things with them.
Sia, sounds like a tough day with the contractors. Rant was justified.
Ssssshhhh. No one tell Wendy that George won :-)
Remember full throttle or dead stop. Back to studying Roman art, yes I demand an "A" from myself. Just finished my Byzantine essay. * whistling
There is light at the end of the tunnel!
More importantly, am I a sock puppet now?
I so need to pack! I did get some other stuff done though.
Paul, too cool!
Vivian congrats on the finals. Hooray for you!
Junie B., wombats always accept writing / editing as a good excuse for being scarce; so long as you stop in sometimes. :-)
Vivian, you're never a sock puppet; least not at this moment.
Sleepy time -- very early start tomorrow. Nite, 'bats.
Kidding! Well, not really. It won't be the same without you. But enjoy your trip and spending time with your family. When are you going?
I started a group called The Romantics for the romantic wombats. No this is not an adult playground, but a grotto for bliss. Okay, those might sound like the same thing- they're not.
Even if you don't want to join check out the banner and let me know what you think.
When are you leaving??? Thursday, Friday, blah...?
So, Jill, were you surprised by the winner of American Idol?
I thought you were studying, Ms Vivian. The banner looks lovely.
Have a great trip Jamie
I made it from a photo of another orchid- white phalenopsis or moth orchid.
June, so nice to see you, and as James said, writing (and family) are good excuses. Im doing neither at the moment!
Vivian, so nice to know you have at least one A in the bag! You've been working hard and deserve every one of them!
Sia, what a day you've had! But nice to get it all out of the way at once. Rest and recuperate, you've earned it!
OK, off to see Vivian's new group.
You deserve a break today, Vivian.
I can pack while the kid is at school tomorrow. He gets out at 10:30.
I don't think there's any chance of getting stuck in a blizzard tomorrow at least. A tornado maybe, but no blizzards.
James, add to it the fact that I'm a woman and therefore being helpless and dumb as board over big man construction stuff, it's perceived that I don't know anything. One darling roofer learned his mistake. Told he'd save me money by just applying the new stuff and then YOU don't have to worry about carting away all the nasty roofing stuff. Uh huh. I asked him how exactly can you tell that the decking isn't in need of repair, especially around the chimney where the flanges were improperly set without tearing off the old? And applying new roofing over the old negates the manufacturers warranties, not to mention the insurance coverage, and reduces the life of the roof by oh, 30-40%. I swear he just blink two or three times and went , "huh." I let him know that the cost redoing the new roof would be a complete tear down to the decking so we can see if there was any loose or rotting areas on the decking and clean up was on him as contractor, not on me. He had that look in his eye like I was spouting Greek to him or something. and he called me 'little lady" as in "Wall now little lady...." I was waiting for him to say not to worry my pretty little head over it. I swear. *massaging my forehead with my hand. It's sort of funny now but at the time, I wanted , well it was a painful thing. Lol!
Jaime doing the happy dance for you! It will be really good to get pampered by your parents and relax for a couple of days. The drive is about what, 13, 14 hours or so?
You deserve a nice long bubble bath Sia. And something cool to drink.
By the way Jamie, love the new icon! That's a really great shot.
OK, tomorrow's going to be a long day, and then work begins again tomorrow night at 9 and runs until who knows when. But this is the last big push for this piece of the project. There'll be cleanup stuff, and I'm already moving into the next big piece, but tomorrow night is the last piece of the project we started last September (merging data from two systems into one). Do you think there will be a celebration? Um, guess again. The boss's boss has already said he wants to wait until the next piece is further along and celebrate both at the same time. Idiot. Two completely different teams and objectives. Talk about wanting to kick someone!
OK, need to get some sleep and gear up for tomorrow. Jamie, if I miss you in the morning, safe travels, and we'll be thinking about you. Vivian, good luck on the tests! And Sia, reward yourself!
'night my dears and darlings!
True story. Happened to my ex. She was not amused.
Have a good trip, and let yourself get taken care of. And find an internet. Wombats cannot survive without our Jamie fix for 5 days. Not possible.
Jamie - safe trip!
Night all. And the David? Interesting night. Wendy, do you know yet????
Night all!
Okay, I've got to try to get some sleep. Last night I was up until 3. Why? Who the hell knows...
Had a similar experience in NOLA. Needed to replace the rear calipers on my car. Repair shop tried to convince me that I needed to redo the entire brake system. Then did the whole "sweetheart, we know what you need" crap. Yeah, that went over real well...
Unless you call packing up the all terrain wagon to haul down the requisite gazebo and cooler for Beachapooloosa this Memorial Day weekend travelling. Filled with volleyball, paddleball, and frisbee. Also we call orders in for pizza and send the kids up the boardwalk to fetch it ;)
Kris is in the wedding, so I'll be abandoned for half the time...which I plan to put to good use shredding manuscripts...
Sy, were you having a blond moment or what? No antifreeze? In the winter? *tisk, tisk