My writing career is starting to suffer, and it's all my fault. I can't remember for certain the last time I worked on my manuscript, scheduled a signing at a local book store, printed or mailed any promotional materials, or even updated this blog. Okay, I guess that last one was March 1, but only because the dashboard feature on the site told me so....
My excuse? Life. Like everyone else in the world, I have one--or try to, anyway. My life includes work, husband, children, pets, family, friends, and everything in between. Some days I feel as if I go non-stop from sunrise to sundown. I feel like there are so many demands on my time that I don't know where to begin or in which direction to turn. It's nonstop 24/7/365. With all these other things to do, how can I possibly find time to write?
The question really should be, if I truly love my craft as I say I do, how can I not?
When I really sit back and ponder my reasoning, it comes back to nothing more than poor time management. At the end of a long day, instead of losing myself in the world of Mitch and Dana Tarrington, I go into a vegitative state in front of some old Nick-at-Nite show on TV. In between loads of laundry, instead of cranking out a few phone calls to my local Borders or Barnes & Noble, I cruise my Facebook page. When I could be sending out flyers to groups for potential speaking engagements, I'm checking out the latest pictures of Chuck Wicks on y-Frog. So, it comes down to this--it's really not that I don't have the time to take, it's that I don't take the time I have.
Today I vow to work harder,bring my writing back to the forefront, and dedicate time to some aspect of it every day. Now, I will sign off so that I can pull up my manuscript--right after I paint my toenails.
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We all do that from time to time...my excuse is being sick the last 3 days, but now that I'm feeling better I'm making up for lost time! :o)
ReplyDeleteThis is a piece of advice I was given way back when I was so certain that I had to crank out so many pages a day: you can't force it. Yes, you can force yourself, but the story will sound as such. You have to let flow take its course.
ReplyDeleteTrust me, I know that can be a pain in the tookus. Why? Because you look at the file and think, Gee I want to work on that...
Or in my case, it's Gee I want to work on that and not this, but I need to get this done so I can focus on that and oy!
But seriously, life sometimes gets in the way for a reason, it's just not time to write that next big scene.
But then again, I should be doing all those promo things you mentioned above, but I have NO FREAKING CLUE what to do...
::Sneaking off to call Debbie and get tips:::
You're right, Wendi--you can't force it EVER! If it's not there right now, it will be there later, and there are plenty of other things you can work on in the interim. My problem is, as I stated, I find myself saying I don't have the time to write (or promote or whatever) when the reality is, I'm just not using my time wisely. As for the promotional tips, I'll be happy to help you out with that--just let me know!
ReplyDeleteHang in there, Debbie! Try to schedule 1/2 hour block to write to begin with. Do not even open up internet. Just Word. If you schedule it, and put it on the calendar, will that help? Another idea is to not let yourself do the fun things until that 1/2 hour has been accounted for by writing. Make it a reward.
ReplyDeleteOn bad days, you'll stick with 1/2 hour increments, on good days you'll keep going because the writing is flowing.