I am co-writing a book with another woman and we are about 2/3 done. We plan to finish this draft in four weeks but some days (like today) I'm wondering how that is going to be possible. I really just need one quiet hour to add 800-1000 words (first draft quality). It should be easy, right? But today I am trying to get back on track. I've been neglecting laundry and dinner and exercising for about 4 weeks now doing publicity for The Hate and Secrets. Today I did laundry, took some of the kids to a camp, made dinner, cleaned the kitchen, made lunch, and went to the gym. It is now almost 2 pm and I am outside because my other two kids begged me to let them ride their bikes. In less than two hours I have to go get my first two kids from camp. Then all four will be home and there is no way I'll get anything done after that. I should mention my kids are 7, 6, 4, and 3. I can pretty much only work when they are not home or sleeping.
Now I'm not blaming this on the kids. When I think back to my life before kids, I'm trying to remember how much free time I had back then. It didn't feel like much but I'm sure there was plenty.
So, how does everyone do it? How do you manage to find time to write? I'd love to hear your tips.
Well, my child is 19 now, so I'm not exactly in the same boat, but I remember when I was (though granted, it was only one child). When he was about 2, I'd put him in the bathtub, which he loved, and sit there with my laptop in the bathroom. It was good for about 20 mins. Then maybe a video or an hour of PBS? Yes, I know they say the TV shouldn't be a babysitter, and I agree, but if it's good quality... Nowadays, I'm teaching and involved in various organizations but between that, the housework, and exercise, I continue to say this, something an activist/writer friend of mine quoted me one day. "Your writing comes first or it comes last." You really just have to make it a priority - maybe not over the kids, but maybe the laundry?
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Good Advice Georgina! I wonder how much fear of failure prevents me from making writing my priority.
ReplyDeleteI'm still trying to find that balance. Actually writing down a time on our family calendar that I'm going to work on my manuscript helps alot. Checking it off with all the other stuff is really rewarding at the end of the day. :)
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine how hard it would be to find time to write while watching kids--for one thing, I'm not really old enough to have any. But even I have trouble finding time to write. Even if I'm not busy, even if I'm at my computer with my fingers arched over the keys and ready to go...sometimes it just doesn't feel right. Maybe it's just me, but I can't argue with that. I know from experience that if I write when I don't want to what I do write is generally horrible to behold.
ReplyDeleteSo how do I find time? I carry around a notepad and pen at all times, so when an idea strikes me I'm ready. Granted, it's not the same as plunking down in a chair and really writing, but it's enough. I've written entire chapters that way, much to the chagrin of my teachers when it happened in class.
Georgina that is just what I did today. i neglected everything except my son and when he napped I was actually able to get almost 1000 words, which was my goal!
ReplyDeleteWill, that is just what I was thinking about blogging about tomorrow. I will admit there are times I have had time and just couldn't. Then reason...? I think fear. But more on that tomorrow. I'm going to try to keep pencil and paper with me all the time from now on.
ReplyDeleteMelissa, I have started something like that. I've checked off a goal of words per week and have enjoyed checking that off my calendar.
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