I'm considering a return to the 4:30 am writing schedule.
Ugh.
If I do, I'll have to go to bed no later than 9:00pm. But that's how I wrote my dissertation while simultaneously raising a baby to toddlerhood. I had a traveling husband, very little child care, and no extended family around to help. You do what you have to do!
Since I finished my last manuscript, I've struggled to find my writing time. My daughter enrolled in a dance class on Saturday mornings, and Saturdays used to be my writing time. My husband would take her out for the day and I would write like crazy. Her ballet class stopped that for a while. I'm not willing to take her out of her ballet class, however, as it is excellent and there is no alternative class time.
Fortunately, my husband has offered to start taking her to ballet, so that will restore some of my lost time. Still, I need more time. I finished my last novel during the summer, when I didn't have to homeschool. Now that homeschooling is back, I have to switch to a schedule that allows me regular writing time without neglecting my teaching job!
This is, of course, in addition to all the usual tasks stay-at-home moms do: administering the family finances and appointments, attempting to keep our home in some semblance of order and cleanliness, cooking, grocery shopping, offering hospitality to others, etc.
Then there's the volunteering. Between the work I do at church and co-leading the Daisy Scout troop, my volunteering calendar is full.
Finally, and most unpredictably, there are situations that come up with friends or acquaintances when I spend time helping out with a pressing need. Often, that need is simply for my company and a listening and supportive ear. We live in a world in which many people don't get a lot of emotional support, for one reason or another. I do consider it a spiritual responsibility to be a friend and an encourager. We can't spread love without making time for it, and that means treating my time as a sacrificial gift. Of course, I often enjoy these occasions, but if I didn't view my time sacrificially, I could come up with a million other things I needed to be doing. That's why so many people have no encouragers in their lives--everybody's just too busy.
I think Jody Hedlund is going to post this week about how she manages her schedule. I am looking forward to this post! Jody homeschools FIVE kids, not one. My friend Anne also homeschools a passel of 'em. My friend Gwen holds a full-time job outside the home. So does my friend Kat. All of these fellow writers have time challenges at least as serious as mine. Probably more serious, because their commitments are less flexible than mine.
I need to get it through my thick skull that some of my commitments ARE flexible. My writing time is also service. Many Christian writers view their writing as a ministry to other people, and I share that view. It just takes a lot of faith to be able to say that to a scornful world that wonders how your writing can be a ministry if your book isn't contracted yet. :-)
How do you handle your time challenges?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
11 comments:
Ross, this is such a hard one. Time- how I wish I could bottle it. I currently write when my toddler is napping in the day. But I have been known to get up early and squeeze in more hours in front of the computer. Like you say, you have to do whatyou have to do. I must admit I also say no to things/tasks and people who ask more than what I can give. I know my limits and I respect them. I just can't do everything... even if they are all good 'things' If I try I fall BIG time and then I am in no state to be anything to anyone much less myself. I protect my writing time because I need it. Writing is a large part of my 'sanity' protection :) I now put my son in childcare every Friday and write all day Friday as well. I think the investment in my health and stability is worth it. I also think this is something I am supposed to be doing on this earth- writing that is. :)
All the best for figuring the time thing out. Everyone has their own balance and rythum scales to check and weigh. I am sure you will find what works:)
I can't offer much help. I squeeze some in here, some there. Scheduling has been one of my big problems in ministry for 28 years. I'm still looking to learn!
But I'll be looking for Jody's article. She is a good writer with some great ideas.
I write in the gaps. Any and every gap I get. :)
4:30 AM is not one of those gaps for me. :D I pray God would multiply your sleep if you start early mornings again.
~ Wendy
Hey Rosilyn! I didn't know you homeschooled! As I told my husband just the other day, I now feel like I have two full time jobs: teaching and writing. Before, I considered writing just my part time side job. But I'm finding it incredibly difficult to do this part time now!
I think it's even more critical that we have each other for support, especially because so many of us are in this same situation of trying to write by faith!
When I was teaching, mothering, and writing, my wise sister told me to strive for attainable excellence. For me, this ended up meaning I only did revision work during the school year. Not ideal, but it worked at the time.
It's hard to keep all plates spinning, isn't it?
I often write during my son's piano lesson. Could you take your work with you if you continue being the lesson driver?
Many Christian writers view their writing as a ministry to other people.
That describes me, as you well know. Every day is different. Like Wendy, I fit it into every gap. When my husband's laptop is available, I take it to violin and martial arts and dance. When my kids are on, I pause mid-thought. I eat and sleep when lack of either interferes with writing or ministry.
And I work hard to let my family know that yes, they are my first ministry, even on days when I live it with adequacy rather than excellence.
I'm like Wendy. I have to write in the gaps. Also late at night, since that is better for me than early morning. Basically, I've just given myself permission to make writing a priority, since yes it is a form of service. No TV helps, too.
Goodness. On most days, I fly by the seat of my pants.
I do a lot of writing on my lunch break. I squeeze in as much as I can after supper. And I stay up very, very late on the weekends. (That's my favorite time to write.)
I get up early to write, though not as early as last school year. As a result, I'm getting less writing done...but I needed to slow down anyway.
My children are at good ages: 12 and 10. They don't need constant, physical care, not that I neglect them, mind you! But I know that working FT with toddlers and trying to write might have been too much for me. I guess God did too--which is why I didn't get 'bit' by the writing bug until a couple of years ago.
As for writing for ministry--shoot. Lately my words don't seem to line the bottom of a birdcage, let alone edify someone. Hey, that's the writer's life, though, fraught with uncertainty.
Take care, Rosslyn!
Hi Rosslyn,
I homeschool and write also. I don't think things are ever truly balanced. One thing loses out to another and then that thing gives for something else.
I'm on my third laptop in five years. I carry it everywhere with me. Even when I think I won't need it, I might find a few minutes of time here or there, so I guess I write in the gaps, too. :)
Unless it's deadline time and then all bets are off everywhere. LOL!
Post a Comment