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Aaarghh! Where does the time go? It's been a week since my last post, and I really didn't intend that to happen.
'Tis the season, and all that, but really, does time seem to go faster during the Christmas holidays, or does it stand still? As kids, I guess we all thought that time was standing still, and Santa's "day" would never get here. As adults, we never have enough time to do everything we want and need to do before the Big Day.
Where does that leave us with our writing? I marvel at some of my younger writing friends, those with outside jobs and/or young children: they not only find the time to write, but to post regularly on their blogs. Then, of course, I look at myself and say, "Self, you are retired. You have time. Much time. What is your problem?" Unfortunately, Self never has a good answer.
I've tried the schedule bit, tried writing down everything I have to do in one day, then making myself a schedule ...7am to 8am, get up, shower, get dressed, get dog up and outside; 8am to 8:20am, brush dog; 8:20am to 8:30 am, feed dog, cat, and parrots; 8:30 to 9am, feed husband and self. Good grief, by the time I've written all this down, I'm exhausted just thinking about it, and I haven't even gotten past 9 o'clock in the morning. Obviously, scheduling doesn't work for me.
All joking aside, in the busiest season of the year, how does one find the time to write, post a blog, and carry on with all the seasonal 'asides' that you have to do? You know, those 'little' things like Christmas shopping, baking cookies, sending out cards...the list goes on.
For me, the earlier in the morning I work on Christmas 'stuff,' the better. Getting the house decorated, shopping for gifts or cooking, actually doing the baking, and so on. I try to get it all done by 1pm. If Possible. From 1 to 3pm I write, and nothing better get in my way. Except, of course, the kids stop by; neighbors drop in; the phone rings and hubby is conveniently out with the dog or puttering in the garage and the person on the phone is a telemarketer who won't take 'no' for an answer; or it's a long-lost 'friend' ( who hasn't stayed lost long enough) who just decides to take that time to catch me up on everything that has gone on in her life for the last 3 years that I have not heard from her. Thankfully have not heard from her. And so the day goes. Writing? You've got to be kidding!
How is your writing day going? Smoothly or with more bumps, twists, and turns than usual? Do you blame it on the season, or do you accept it more gracefully than I do? ( Well, age does have its privileges, ya' know!)
Until next time,
That's a wrap.
Today was a good writing day for me. I actually had a nice chunk of time to work on revisions. That never happens. I usually steal away minutes here and there. So I totally get where you're coming from. What I do (and I'm not necessarily recommending it)is give the housework low priority. I seriously need to dust. And vacuum. And fold laundry. I keep up on the washing. It's the folding and putting away that I procrastinate. Anyway, my husband might not think this is the best plan, but he's learned to live with it ;)
ReplyDeleteI've been busy with revising two novels. One is finished. One went through a major revision and now I'm going through it one last time to polish it up before I hand it over to my agent. I could use some more time in my day. Especially with client edits coming in.
ReplyDeleteI generally write solidly in the evening. At work I try to jot down at least odd sentences and phrases and imagery on post-its when I can. On Saturdays I write as much as I can. With the Christmas season coming up, I haven't been writing as much, but I've been feeling an ache in my heart that means one of my characters needs me to start working on his story again.
ReplyDeleteI am having a bit of trouble finding time to read & write these days. It gets better in the evenings though ...
ReplyDeleteRuth, that used to be my day...housework first, find writing time later. The day I got my first publishing contract, my husband said, From now on, you write, I'll do the housework! And he does most of it, plus a lot of the cooking. But then, he's retired and has the time, most writer husbands are working, so they can be excused...until they retire, that is!
ReplyDeleteKelly, you're one of my role models, seriously. I don't know how you do all you do, and I greatly admire you. Unfortunately, I'm not young enough to emulate you,but there are many who do, and should!
ReplyDeleteCat and Claudine, this time of year is tough for all of us to find the time we want or need to write, or even to sit back with a good book and let the world go by. From Thanksgiving to New Year's, it seems the world wants us to work for it, and I guess we usually do. I love the holidays, but with not quite as much vigor as I used to..and it seems I look forward to Jan.2nd a little more eagerly than I used to, also!
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