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| Insecure Writers Support Group |
Our Co-Sponsor's this month are: C. Lee McKenzie
Rachel Pattison
Elizabeth Seckman
Stephanie Faris
Lori L MacLaughlin
Elsie Amata!
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This month's is "How do you find the time to write in your busy day?"
The short answer is: I retired from teaching ;-)
The long answer is much more complex, as it so often is. I have a fatigue syndrome and that makes my writing time limited on many days. I've found through much trial and error since I retired twelve years ago that my best time is mid morning to early afternoon. From 9 AM till 3 PM, you'll find me writing, editing, polishing, or researching. That sounds wonderful. And it is, until you factor in fixing lunch, walking dogs, and general aches and pains from various joints and the sundry migraine. That said, I've polished a MS for submission and partials are out with the two agents I pitched in February. There are four more WIPs in the works. They're at various conditions of completion. I'm still working on the sequel to the book that's out in the cold, cruel world, but know I might need to shift to one of the standalones if I can't find traction with the first.
I've yet to research a list of target agents. I'm still quaking at the thought of doing that.
How on earth do you write if you have little children and/or a full-time job? I don't know the answer. But I know a ton of productive writers who do.
Next Week: The Book Pusher's September post!
Great for you, Lady. Identifying those times when you are at your best is one of the keys to sticking to a set writing time. Happy to hear that you are feeling better and I hope your Mom is better also.
ReplyDeleteShalom aleichem,
Patricia
Glad things are looking up and hope September is a fruitful month for you. Good luck with those agents :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you've managed to keep writing with all that's been going on.
ReplyDeleteHow do I find time to write? Well, I don't always, and it's frustrating. Then, some days I can write but I let fear or intimidation keep me from me my WIP.
Great post, ZM. Writing's a job like any other. As you've demonstrated in your post, you have a working window, you report to your desk and get busy. As with other jobs, the people in our lives become sick, or we do, so we work with those developments. When I was a programmer, I set my personal deadlines on projects ahead of the real deadlines. This gave me breathing room for life's surprises. So far, my writing deadlines are self-imposed but I take them just as seriously.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good wishes, Pat! I think I'm finally able to breath again.
ReplyDeleteAngela, I'll take all the good wishes on the pitches I can gather. I posted the WFWA pitch contest this morning. Cross your fingers.
ReplyDeleteSara, you've got so much on your plate! I'm amazed that you get so much done!
ReplyDeleteCathy, I think you've identified the mindset--it's job, treat it like one. Though, I'll admit it's the best job I've ever had. ;-) And there's nothing wrong with that, is there?
ReplyDeleteDetermination. That's the answer.
ReplyDeleteI laughed out loud at your short answer. Life gets complicated so quickly if we let it, eh? (And for the record, I think a dog is almost as busy a job as a kid.)
Glad to lighten your day, Crystal. I do try to add a bit of levity here. Dogs *are* a lot of work. I'm really a cat person, myself. But hubby really wanted puppies this time.
ReplyDeleteHere's to productivity, no matter how we achieve it.
Sounds like you're pretty well organised despite everything that's been going on recently. About the dogs, it's nice to have them around and I find that the walks give me a chance to think through plot points. Good luck with the submissions and everything else!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nick! Walking is good for that, if it isn't 95 with 100% humidity. Can you tell I live in Georgia?
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to be productive when you are in pain, but you seem to be getting over that hurdle. That's quite list of accomplishments.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Elizabeth! I've had a lot of practice. My father's example of becoming a master carpenter even though his dominant hand as damaged during childbirth gives me the example to follow. Persistence is the key.
DeleteHey Zan! Welcome back. I knew you'd come back strong. Just keep fighting through the pain and believe.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alex! You're encouragement earlier in the summer was a big help!
DeleteZan Marie,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to read you have had so much on your plate lately. Glad you are able to keep moving forward despite all the health issues. Fingers crossed on your partials!
Thanks, Rose! Keep 'em crossed!
DeleteI always think of DG -- full-time job, three kids, writing for journals, and still writing Outlander. I need to channel some of that energy!
ReplyDeleteYou and me too!
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