Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Like Sand in the Hourglass

Well, I can already tell that today is going to be awesome. My workday hasn't even started yet, and there's a plumber in my home who's promised to tear a hole in my bathroom wall. He's also drilling up through the concrete in the garage, which makes a lovely soundtrack to my day. All for the sake of crappy 1981-era pipes. Did I mention we're selling this place? Get me out of here!

There's very little time left before Liz and I leave for the workshop. Looks like there are lots of PB writers going. Perhaps we will be the only YA sci-fi writers, and we'll get placed in a critique group by ourselves. Then it will be just like every Tuesday night at Panera, so no pressure! But seriously, how did all my time fly by this fast, and why didn't I accomplish more? My pre-workshop smackdown got gobbled up by social and professional obligations, and now I'm scrambling.

Writers: When do you find the time to write? How do you manage it, when life keeps hogging all your free time?

That's all for today. I need to go start my workday, scored by a jackhammer.

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16 comments:

  1. UnknownMarch 2, 2011 at 10:18 AM

    Oh, boy, good luck with that ... do you have any of those earplugs (you know, the ones that look like headphones circa 1981 ;))?

    I do not have time to write. Ever. And that's probably been my greatest challenge. I'm a mother, a teacher, a daughter (and I love my mother dearly but that's perhaps the most time-consuming of all), and a friend. There is not enough time in the day ...

    So what do I do? I write when I can ... and enjoy being on vacation from school a different week than my kids ;-)

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  2. alexiaMarch 2, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    Good luck at the workshop!

    I squeeze in time in the evening and weekends, even if it's just 15 minutes at a time.

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  3. Logan E. TurnerMarch 2, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    First of all: sorry I haven't been commenting lately! Second: I never have time to write. I'm the worst when it comes to making time for it. It's always the last thing I get around to doing, even though it's what I want to do the most. Explain that one!

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  4. Rachel SearlesMarch 2, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    KLo: Honestly, I feel guilty complaining when I don't even have kids yet. I don't know how you parents do it!

    Alexia: Thanks! I need to get better at working in short bursts.

    Logan: No worries! I hear you...actually I was thinking exactly that as I was writing this post this morning ;)

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  5. UnknownMarch 2, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    I've been trying to wake up and do it earlier... but it's mixed success... I'm more nocturnal by nature.

    That pipe work doesn't sound too fun... Good luck with your workshop though ;)

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  6. KindrosMarch 2, 2011 at 12:06 PM

    It's tough even without having kids. Between full time work, chores at home, and those "did that just happen" moments, just feel like winding down with free time.

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  7. Tracey NeithercottMarch 2, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    I totally agree with Logan. I'd rather write (or, in my current situation, revise) more than anything but somehow it's always put off for things like work and packing for a move.

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  8. Lisa AldinMarch 2, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    ICK! Hope things get better! It's hard to find time. I think that's why I write so slow. Maybe I wouldn't if I had TIME to actually do it! And I don't have kids either! What is a PB writer? Am I totally dumb for asking that? LOL.

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  9. Rachel SearlesMarch 2, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    Peanut butter writer? Ha, just kidding. Picture book. I think they're great but I don't think I'm qualified to offer an informed critique of a picture book manuscript.

    Thanks everyone for your great comments! Glad to know I'm not alone in my war against time :)

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  10. BK MattinglyMarch 2, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    I try to squeeze time whenever I can. I take huge advantage of weekends and other days off.

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  11. Jessica LoveMarch 2, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    Have so much fun at the workshop! I'm so jealous! :-)

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  12. Cat LavoieMarch 2, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    Finding time to write is such a challenge! I try to get to the office an hour early but, most times, I just end up catching up on evil paperwork!

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  13. Wannabe WriterMarch 2, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    I'm not the best at writing every day, but I make up for it on the days when I do write. We all have competing priorities, and sometimes other things win out, but sometimes writing does!

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  14. Alexis BassMarch 2, 2011 at 10:49 PM

    Evenings or late at night, weekends ALWAYS, and sometimes during my lunch break. :) It is hard though.

    Can't wait to hear about this workshop!

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  15. Talli RolandMarch 3, 2011 at 7:30 AM

    Have fun at the workshop! I write full time, but even so it can still be difficult when you have promo stuff to do, edits on other projects, etc!

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  16. Alleged AuthorMarch 3, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    I haven't found time to write lately and am waiting until spring break. When that lovely first day of vacation happens, you will find me writing almost nonstop!

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