Friday, June 26, 2009

Writing Time and Other Updates

Unfortunately, I will not be an egg donor. That's part of the reason that I've not been online. First I was having some questions after I realized that it was against the teachings of the Catholic Church, but that became a moot point once I went on the birth control pills, which I'd never been on before. Let's just remain vague and say that they did not agree with me medically. I am okay now and feeling much better. But, egg donation is off the table.

Also, my paycheck didn't bounce, but one of the guys on my team had his bounce. Today is another payday. I am hoping that everything is okay. Offchance, do any of you know of any companies in the Chicago area looking for a Technical Project Manager?

I don't want this blog to be an update on my 105 goals so I am going to only update on my progress on the first friday of every month and must have at least ten other posts between. This blog is suppose to be about my writing, but I've not been doing much writing recently. I'm just so busy, which makes me mad/sad because I really want to get this book done. It really is a good premise, and I'm not just saying that because I'm writing it, but I know that it's good and has alot of promise.

So, my question for those of you in blogland is, how do you find time to write? When everything is going a thousand miles an hour, how do you make time? Any advice?

14 tidbits:

Charles Gramlich said...

When I have a project going, I tell myself that I have to keep making progress on the thing no matter what. I tell myself something along the lines of, "I'm dead tired but I have to do just "one" good paragraph. Just one. There were plenty of times when I only managed one, but at least then the thing was still creeping forward.

stu said...

At the moment I'm deliberately not making time to write, since it's distrating, but when I do, I try just to remember to treat it as something fun. It becomes, effectively, my default nothing to do activity.

PJ Hoover said...

I try to do just a little bit. After the kids go to bed. When I can get away for an hour. Even a little bit keeps me in the right mindset.

Michelle D. Argyle said...

Sometimes I just can't write because there's too many other things going on. I usually sacrifice sleep to write. My life is just busy right now. I know there will be cycles where it slows down. Good luck! Glad to see you around. :)

Spy Scribbler said...

Well, for me, my whole life revolves around writing. So I always write, and everything else is just an interruption. It's a mindset. :-) So even if I have terribly busy day, there's always a little time.

Also, morning is really good. I'm not a morning person, but if I'm really distracted, I'll get up at 4:30 or 5am, and sit out on the front porch. Everything is so quiet and it feels like nothing is demanding my attention, except writing.

Robyn Campbell said...

I had been thinking about you yesterday. I thought, when is Lauren ever going to blog? And tonight I'm checking my Google Reader. Guess what? There was an update! Missed ya! I'm glad you're feeling better. I know you wanted to be an egg doner. Sorry.:( But I'm glad you're back! :0)

Oh and if I hear of any openings would you relocate to NC? You could join Beth and I in our rousing critique group meetings.

Robyn Campbell said...

Oh, I forgot to answer your question. Hmm, when the muse leaves me, I stimulate it to get it going again. Walk around my farm, head to the coffee shop and listen in on conversations, you know stuff like that. Oh and not to be nosy, just to learn speech patterns and I really love to listen to teens and younger talk. Fodder for my books! :)

Robyn Campbell said...

Oops, forgot to tell you. I finished my book!! Now comes the query process. UGH!

The Clever Pup said...

Thank you for the visit!

Lauren said...

@charles- that's a great idea to try to just do a little bit every day. maybe i will try that.

@stu- yes, if it stops being fun, the creativity just isn't there as strongly. it's a great "nothing to do" activity. much better than watching TV (although, I have no time to do that either)

@PJ- that's alot like what charles said. every little bit does add up. i think that i am going to do that...maybe say 15 minutes minimum or something.

@glamis- i hear you about too many things going on. and yes, there are cycles, but mine won't be over until december and i can't wait that long :)

@spy- i am so envious. i wish i could revolve my life around my writing, but i suppose that it is a choice. one that you have made :) waking up early is a good thought. maybe i will try that tomorrow morning.

@robyn- thanks for thinking of me. i've been so sick from the birth control that i've just not been able to blog, or respond to blogs (although i have been following you and everyone else on my rss feed, but spotily). Actually, NC is on a short list of places we'd like to one day move, namely the Raleigh/Durham area (along with Austin, TX and northern CA), but I'm finishing up my degree in chicago so have to sick around here :).

AND, Robyn, CONGRATS on finishing the book!! that's fabulous.

Anonymous said...

I hope your health continues to remain ok.

As far as writing time goes, you just take what you can get. Lunch hour, right before bed, when your favorite show is in re-run. Even a few minutes of writing time will add up over the long haul.

JR's Thumbprints said...

Try writing with convicted killers, drug dealers, rapists and pedophiles around your desk. Still, I do it whenever I find the time, or whenever the mood strikes.

"Hey," one of my students might ask, "when are you gonna check my paper?"

My reply: "How much time are you doing?"

Student's answer: "Fifteen minimum."

That's when I respond: "What's the hurry?"

Lauren said...

@writer- lunch hour? what's that :) I think that I am going to try right before bed.

@JR- hahaha...nice :) i'm still chuckling :). and i would imagine that would be a bit distracting.

Leigh Russell said...

'A writer never has a vacation. For a writer life consists of either writing or thinking about writing.' Eugene Ionesco

I agree with Charles - I try to set myself targets. I must edit to page 20 or wherever and try to force myself to do it. It doesn't always work. The best deadlines are the ones my publisher sets me...
Me: "When would you like it?"
PPublisher: "Yesterday would be good"
(That's a genuine exchange. I was only a day late that time!)

I also sacrifice sleep like Lady Glamis - frequently. And go for walks, like Robyn. somethiems a change of scene is stimulating.

And when I'm not writing, I'm usually thinking about writing - see quotation I began this comment with.

I only came by to thank you for visiting my blog, Lauren... Thank you.

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