I actually paid attention to the question posed for this month’s IWSG post:
How do you find the time to write in your busy day?
Well I don’t have kids so I know that’s probably a huge help. I do, on the other hand, have a full time job, daily chores to keep the house at a livable level, a wonderful boyfriend who doesn’t like to spend too much time alone, and a very energetic German Short-Hair who thinks that a closed office door is an invitation to barge in. So with all that occupying the majority of my day (and night) it leaves me with only an hour or two in the evening, most of which I have to scream, beg and bitch to get.
I was wondering how other authors with similarly busy lives manage to make time to write. And advertise. And join discussion groups and participate in online events and create marketing aides and somehow not shoot their brains out because oh my God there’s a lot that goes into being an Indie Author. (For real. Like, whoa.)
Me? I do my absolute best. I make sure I sit down at my computer at least once a day and produce something. Even if it’s only a paragraph. Even if it’s just a good sentence or two. Even if I know it’ll be edited out later—I have to write something. I have to create something. Because if I don’t, I turn into that really terrible person that cuts you off in traffic. Nobody likes that person. I don’t like that person.
So long answer short: I demand the time to write. The dog may be crated and the boyfriend, temporarily ignored, but it’s the price to pay to keep my sanity. And to keep you safe on the roads.
You’re welcome.
Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) is a monthly blog hop for writers at all levels to share their fears and insecurities in a safe and encouraging place. Please drop by and say hi to Alex Cavanaugh who started this nifty concept in bringing us all together.
Get a bigger crate and stick the boyfriend in there. He may be into that.
IWSG September
BWHAHAHA!
Yes.
*rubs hands together* we may have to see about that…
As someone who occasionally drives places, thank you.
I always forget to check what this month’s question is. For me, I have to insist that writing is more important than other things. That sometimes means saying no to friends, relations, etc. But I’ve learned (and I think most people who know me have learned) that if I don’t get my writing done, I’m not much fun to hang out with anyway.
Showing up for our writing is a huge part of the battle, and you’re already doing that. Keep at it!
Thanks! I will 🙂 And you too!
Yeah, if I don’t write I’m the worst person. My family has come to the point of saying, “Go write something!” when they can’t stand me any more.
I think that’s great. I think you should get to the point of not being you (the better part) if you go along time without writing.
And hey, at least your family gets you!
It goes hand-in-glove with practicing the viola. I MUST practice every day, due to my essential tremor and I need to stay on my game. I MUST write for the same reason. The viola is a mandatory 2 hours; writing my get anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour and end up on the trash heap, but it’s DONE, dammit! I don’t drive, so we’re good there! 😀
Love the discipline!
And don’t worry, my car is currently un-drivable (like always) so you have nothing to fear there.
Usually I only do one or the other: promotion *or* writing. In fact when I finally sit down and start writing I tend to not do anything else except the bare minimum needed to function. But I work better that way; by devoting completely to a project. I know most writers prefer to write daily, but I rarely do :p
That’s so cool. It’s awesome learning the different processes for each person. You’d expect people to do the same thing as you, and it’s interesting to find other ways that work.
I don’t have the complications you do, but I guess I demand it too. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
I’d only hate you if you’d cut me off and then drive REALLY slowly. I’ll be back there yelling…what was your hurry?
I like your attitude on this. ^_^ After reading quite a few entries this month about finding time to write, I find myself very grateful that I have minimal demands on my time and can always make time for writing. Though too often that means I have to make myself use the time for that. Bah.
I sometimes have to take a vacation day just to get a bit more writing in, otherwise I turn into that cranky, unlikable person as well. Good job for demanding the time. It’s a good habit to have. 😀