If you write, do you ever find yourself turning off your words? I mean, really?
If you’re able to do that, then I salute you! For me, I don’t know that the words ever “turn off.” I’ve gotten better about keeping things in their proper perspective, and I am learning to compartmentalize a wee bit better. That’s not to say that I don’t want to write 24/7 because the actual WRITING I just love. I love being able to craft stories, create characters and dialogue, and wrap things up in a satisfying conclusion by the end of the novel. (The business side of writing is, as one might expect, somewhat more challenging and time-consuming. That part can be exciting and fun, too, just not as liberating as immersing yourself in your WIP.)
When I’m in my office pecking at the computer keyboard and knee-deep in my work-in-progress, time often ticks by so fast, mere minutes melt into hours. Before I know it, it’s time to take care of various household tasks, family duties, and outside obligations. For writers that have yet another job outside of the home, the multiple “musts” and “need tos” are compounded. I’m very blessed; my schedule is a little more flexible than it was several years ago. Because it wasn’t always that way, I developed the habit early on of accomplishing the most I could in what limited time I had available. I still function best with a schedule of sorts, but I’m also a “fly by the seat of my pants” kind of gal.
I try to write my socks off during the week while tending to the business aspects of my craft, as well. By the time the weekend rolls around, I’m zonked. I still fit writing in somewhere on Saturdays and Sundays, because intrinsically I need to, but the weekends are mainly reserved now for my family, some much-needed down time, and Sunday worship.
Come Monday, I’m usually ready to go full steam ahead again in my “Monday madness” mode. I think with a bit more clarity and I’m anxious to accomplish all I can as the new work week begins. It’s off to the races as the frenzy starts and I dare to take a walk on the wild side of this crazy thing called the writing life!
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A question for you to ponder…Do you have anything you’d care to share about YOUR “Monday madness” routine?
Comments 7
Evenings and weekends are my prime writing time. I’ve learned, though, not to try to cram in writing if I don’t have time to really set aside and pay attention to what I’m doing. It’s worse to try to rush write for 15 minutes than to not write at all!
Author
I agree, Sarah!
My Mondays usually are filled with housework and blogging, and I squeeze in writing when I can (usually during my kids’ naptime). It seems like just when I start rolling on my wip, the kids get up and I’m switching modes again. 🙂
Have a great week, Cynthia!
Author
Our children are older now, but I well remember those days, Sarah! I find, as mothers, we get quite adept at the switching mode routine, don’t we? : ) And the housework thing…aarrgghh! Sometimes, I have to just get what I can, and turn a blind eye to the rest.
And you have a super week, too, Sarah!
Mondays are mad, no matter what you do, imo. 🙂 Glad you’re getting a schedule/routine and it all fits well into the hours in your days.
Author
I find a lot of laughter helps, too, Patti!
As a young wife/mother, learning it was ‘ok’ to laugh at the things life throws our way was liberating.