Oops! Life's getting in the way!

[Saigonnus]

I know how you all feel. I work long hours + wife + dog... usually have only a couple hours in the evening to write/play video games... sometimes, when I feel up to it, I do the former, and the rest of the time, I do the latter. Makes it tough really.


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[skip.knox]

When I was in grad school, I was foolish enough to complain to my thesis adviser about all the many claims on my time. I was a TA, taught essay writing clinics, had two children, etc. How was I to find time to research and write?

My professor told me about David Herlihy, one of my medievalist heroes. He wrote his greatest books while raising _eight_ kids. Prof. Olsen said he remembered Herlihy at his desk writing while small children literally clambered over him. Needless to say, I did not complain again about distractions.

Netardapope, the distractions get worse, not better. I do vote for cutting down on social media. FB and Twitter are mere distractions for me, but Mythic Scribes is valuable. So I make choices. Music I can listen to in other venues. I can also set aside time just to listen to music, to give it the attention it deserves (I hate background music; if it's worth hearing, it belongs in the foreground).

I also suggest reversing the order of things when you write. I do not allow myself to do anything, not anything at all, until I have written something substantial. I don't have a word count target; it's more just getting some complete chunk of writing (or editing) done. If I can't write, I'm allowed to pace, rock back and forth, bitch and moan, but I do not leave the room and I do not play games or check email or any other fun distraction until I have done a piece of work. Doesn't have to be good, it just has to be done. *Then* I can check Mythic Scribes.

I began doing this when I was still working and the only time I had in which to write were fifteen minute breaks and on my lunch hour. Write first, then eat.

 

[Penpilot]

I had a similar moment to Skip when I was listening to an interview with a published author, who's name escapes me right now. But any way, they were putting out a new book every six months, but the money wasn't enough to pay the bills, so they worked a full time job.

He said he'd work, commute home, eat dinner and spend time with his kids. Then he'd write. But with all that on the table, where did he find the time? Something had to give and something was sleep. He only slept 4 hours a night.

Once I heard that story, I took a look at my life situation, and I never think I don't have time to write anymore. I think this helps me because, it boils it down to attitude, desire, and as I mentioned priorities.

If I don't give my self the excuse that I don't have time, then I have to accept that the reason i'm not writing is me. It's all under my control. I'm prioritising things over writing, which is perfectly fine, but if I want to be a writer, really want it, then I have to make the time to write. If I watch TV, I have time to write. If I play video games, I have time to write.

Now there are people who really don't have the time, but everyone has to look at their own situation and determine if this is really true. I don't usually like to reveal a lot about myself personally, but now days, 30%-50% of my writing I do while sitting next to a hospital bed.

 

[T.Allen.Smith]

If you're having a difficult time with distractions, consider writing in sprints.

Get all your easy distractions out of the way first. Go on FaceBook. Check out Twitter, or whatever. Spend a half hour doing your social media. Then, put it way for 10-15 minutes.

Set a timer for 15 minutes and write, non-stop, for that period. When the bell rings, stop, no matter where you are, set the timer again and take a break of equal time...10-15 minutes. When the bell rings again, reset and write for another 10-15 minutes. Do this for an hour. You'll be surprised how fast those words add up if you consistently do this EVERY DAY.

After all, who among us can't write for 10 minutes?

I wrote an entire 70k first draft this way in 2 1/2 months. Perhaps you can too.

_________________________________________________________________________________

As far as this idea of "life getting in the way", recognize that concept for what it is. It's self-delusion.

Don't take that the wrong way. There are more important things that may happen in our daily lives that take priority over writing. However, we all must prioritize the hours of the day. If writing isn't a priority for you, then you are choosing something else over writing. Period. There's nothing wrong with that. No one is forcing you to be a writer. It's a choice.

 

[Chessie]

If you're having a difficult time with distractions, consider writing in sprints.

Get all your easy distractions out of the way first. Go on FaceBook. Check out Twitter, or whatever. Spend a half hour doing your social media. Then, put it way for 10-15 minutes.

Set a timer for 15 minutes and write, non-stop, for that period. When the bell rings, stop, no matter where you are, set the timer again and take a break of equal time...10-15 minutes. When the bell rings again, reset and write for another 10-15 minutes. Do this for an hour. You'll be surprised how fast those words add up if you consistently do this EVERY DAY.

After all, who among us can't write for 10 minutes?

I wrote an entire 70k first draft this way in 2 1/2 months. Perhaps you can too.

_________________________________________________________________________________

As far as this idea of "life getting in the way", recognize that concept for what it is. It's self-delusion.

Don't take that the wrong way. There are more important things that may happen in our daily lives that take priority over writing. However, we all must prioritize the hours of the day. If writing isn't a priority for you, then you are choosing something else over writing. Period. There's nothing wrong with that. No one is forcing you to be a writer. It's a choice.

I will second this wonderful advice. Writing in sprints is the only way I'm able to work now, 10-15 mins at a time in small chunks throughout the day. You're right, the words do add up, and after some time you start getting faster and then maybe the 100 words you wrote in 10 mins are now 300 per sprint. If you set yourself a daily word count of let's say, 500 words, that's still a draft in 4 months, which is respectable.

 

[Demesnedenoir]

Eight months for me, nothing I write wants to come in under 120k, LOL. Heck, I cut back to 124k and the editor already has me back above 130k before getting past the first few chapters, heh heh. Although that expansion will slow. I hope.

But the point is valid, the turtle can get to the same place as the hare (even without the hare being an idiot to lose the race) and it's the destination that matters.

I will second this wonderful advice. Writing in sprints is the only way I'm able to work now, 10-15 mins at a time in small chunks throughout the day. You're right, the words do add up, and after some time you start getting faster and then maybe the 100 words you wrote in 10 mins are now 300 per sprint. If you set yourself a daily word count of let's say, 500 words, that's still a draft in 4 months, which is respectable.

 

[Chessie]

Eight months for me, nothing I write wants to come in under 120k, LOL. Heck, I cut back to 124k and the editor already has me back above 130k before getting past the first few chapters, heh heh. Although that expansion will slow. I hope.

But the point is valid, the turtle can get to the same place as the hare (even without the hare being an idiot to lose the race) and it's the destination that matters.

Duuuude. Teach me your ways. I'm struggling to adapt to writing longer than 50k and it's killing me lol.

 

[Demesnedenoir]

Complex stories that take several POV's to make sense, LOL. Sad part is I was keeping it fairly tight for the epic genre... and then the editor said it needed more backstory and information and setting. I fear the 150k mark for book 1, heh heh. Gimme that puppy and I'll tack on words, muwhahahahahaha!

What are the expectations for the romance-fantasy? If my memory serves for what you write. My guess is 50-60k.

Duuuude. Teach me your ways. I'm struggling to adapt to writing longer than 50k and it's killing me lol.

 

[SaltyDog]

Toodles, everyone, allow me to cut to the chase. As of late, I've found myself shirking off my daily writing duties to do a large number of real world activities that are consuming huge blocks of my time. I've been growing immensely irritated as of late, as there always seem to be some stupid activity that wants to get in the way of me having a free day to write.

I'm in at least a few leadership positions, one in my school and the other in the boy scouts, and this really drains me. I miss the days were I just went home and only had to worry about writing, but these other responsibilities are constantly on my mind. Not a second passes in which I don't think about them. But this has taken a toll on my writing.

I can't immerse myself in the world, because all this stuff keeps getting in the way. It's been a long time since the last day I'd been able to solely focus on my writing.

I don't mean to ramble, but I'm really torn on how I should approach this. I know for a fact that stress is an unavoidable part of life, but I'm not sure if I should ignore it while I'm writing, or finish the issues before I even start typing.

I just wish I could be able to focus on a few things, rather than being torn over all of these. What should I do? And have any of you felt the same?

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Too true. I'm struggling myself to find time to even think about my writing, let alone even doing something about it. And going on here to the forum? Forget. I'm too busy.

 

[DragonOfTheAerie]

Too true. I'm struggling myself to find time to even think about my writing, let alone even doing something about it. And going on here to the forum? Forget. I'm too busy.

Is it me, or are homeschooled people generally busier than those who attend school? My friends barely have time to text me.

 

[SaltyDog]

Is it me, or are homeschooled people generally busier than those who attend school? My friends barely have time to text me.

Seems like that. Baseball hasn't even hit yet and I'm already pressed for time to do homework, lol.

 

[Chessie]

Complex stories that take several POV's to make sense, LOL. Sad part is I was keeping it fairly tight for the epic genre... and then the editor said it needed more backstory and information and setting. I fear the 150k mark for book 1, heh heh. Gimme that puppy and I'll tack on words, muwhahahahahaha!

What are the expectations for the romance-fantasy? If my memory serves for what you write. My guess is 50-60k.

60-70k yes. My NaNo story will hit the 60k mark with 2 povs. It's going to be tough because I'm so used to writing short.

 

[Demesnedenoir]

I've got one story idea, more humor than anything else, and single POV, so I should be able to bring that in in 60k... if I ever get to it. Everything else is epic multi-POV. I love the concept of hitting 60k words saying Done! instead of hitting 120k and saying Holy Krikee, is this thing gonna end? LOL.

60-70k yes. My NaNo story will hit the 60k mark with 2 povs. It's going to be tough because I'm so used to writing short.

 

[spectre]

I have no issues writing with distractions going on so long as I don't have to be involved,e.g. music, T.V. people conversing. My voice is way louder in my head than anything I can hear. As far as increasing writing time while busy, get a small writing pad and keep a pen this way you don't lose out on ideas!

 

[DragonOfTheAerie]

I did about half of today's writing session while listening to instrumental music. It kinda helps block out the surrounding noise.

 

[Svrtnsse]

Time for a bit of shameless self-promotion. i put together a mix-set a while back in which I tried to create and maintain a "fantasy/fairytale" feel. It's electronic music, fairly melodic, and largely instrumental. There are two or three songs with lyrics in them and a few of them with voice samples.
I'm personally very happy with the result, but then that's me saying so myself: Magical Mixtape by svrtnsse | Mixcloud

 

[DragonOfTheAerie]

Time for a bit of shameless self-promotion. i put together a mix-set a while back in which I tried to create and maintain a "fantasy/fairytale" feel. It's electronic music, fairly melodic, and largely instrumental. There are two or three songs with lyrics in them and a few of them with voice samples.
I'm personally very happy with the result, but then that's me saying so myself: Magical Mixtape by svrtnsse | Mixcloud

Oh, cool! I'll check it out