Hi Everyone,
*knock knock*
At least I think you're out there. *hello?*
I've had to step away from the blog for a bit. I know, not a good idea right after a new release but kinda necessary.
I know all of you are busy... who isn't any more? But recently, I just haven't been able to juggle like I used to. There have been some wonderful additions in my life that I wouldn't give up for the world, namely my awesome boyfriend and his equally awesome son, but they take time.
When you're juggling at your limit, not even coffee will keep you from dropping a few balls. Mine have been raining like Niagra.
So this is it. A confession. I'm a writer, that's what I do. But in the past 2 months, (not counting my nonfiction day job) you know how many words I've written? (Oh I hope my editor doesn't read this) A big fat zero.
I've been attempting to promote CREATIVE LICENSE and HOOKING UP (which comes out in 11 days!)<--see, promo.: ) I've been writing blog posts (but that's doesn't count toward wordcount... right?)Trying to keep up with emails... (I took an internet vacation this weekend to clean house and I still haven't built up the courage to check my email... On Friday, I left it with over 200, I expect over 800) And I still don't feel like I'm promoting enough!
For instance, I have an awesome contest lined up... only I haven't written the blog post to announce it... I have chocolate body paint as a prize... if you've read CREATIVE LICENSE, you'll know why that's cool. ; ) <-- more shameless promo.
Realistically, I have an hour, maybe two to work on my fiction each day. Lately, that time has been spent on emails and blogs. Any time added is taken away from kids, house, boyfriend or yardwork. (Oh, you should see the weeds--maybe not)
Did I mention Lynne is my pen name? I'm having the same problem with my 'real' name too. 4 emails, 2 blogs, 2 twitter, 2 facebook... etc.
So, I know I'm not alone out here. I know other writers have kids, husbands or significant others, houses, jobs, family obligations, church, etc. HOW DO YOU MANAGE???
This is not one of those questions posed to get you to comment. This is a plea for advice.
Sooo, anyone have any?
Thanks,
Lynne
Showing posts with label Time. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Time. Show all posts
Time: The hard and fast truth from one perspective.
Time is a fickle thing. I know it’s over said and cliché, but that’s because it’s true.
This morning, I opened my email box to find 2875 unread emails. To be fair, I have two email accounts for Lynne. One is linked to my website and I use it mainly for submissions and communication with my editor and I check it at least twice a day, the other is linked to the forums and loops I follow. The second is the one with 2875emails.
My Google reader is at an even 250 unread blogs. Thank you all for linking your blogs to twitter, I do check twitter several times a day, although not always in my Lynne persona, but if I see your blog, I will click on it.
My point isn’t to complain, or whine, although I admit it may sound like it. I'm simply frustrated. With myself, mostly.
My goal had been to check the Google reader once a day and then when I realized this was usually late at night when I was too tired to see straight and should not be commenting on blogs, I adjusted my expectations to once a week. I still haven’t done that. The 2875 emails are mostly from loops containing links that interest me, people that interest me. Things it would be smart to pay attention to if I’m going to be successful in this crazy business called writing.
However, when I was up on my Google reader, on top of the loops and promo activities, there was no time to write.
I realize there is a balance somewhere, but quite frankly, I haven’t found it. And this is why I'm frustrated. There is only so much time during the day.
Last week I took the week ‘off’ of work, I mean the kind that pays the bills. I usually work on my NF about 6 hours a day. I reduced that to 1 hour a day and spent those 5 hours writing, researching my writing, etc. The etc being the constant interruptions by children for things like lunch, breakfast, fights, stories, and I’m homeschooling my son this year throughout the summer. I didn’t blog or check blogs or worry about either, I just wrote.
Throughout the day, I got a solid 4 hours a day in. And you know what? Despite my fears, I haven’t forgotten to write, I just haven’t been giving myself the necessary time in which to do so. I wrote over 10 K in one week, vs the 600 words per week I was eking in. But unless I want to move the kids into a cardboard box, I need to work.
Recently I read a blog in which the author was musing about her reduced writing schedule due to summer vacation. She’d said she’d only have 4 or so hours to write a day. I turned every shade of green imaginable. What I wouldn’t give for even 2 solid hours to write every day and that was her reduced time? She wasn’t exactly complaining, but stating a fact and she’s a successful and prolific writer whom I admire.
It’s hard not compare my output with hers. Hell, it’s hard not to compare my output to many other writers. Although I celebrate their new releases, I’m beginning to worry about mine, or the lack thereof--not just about production, but promotion. Sales are down. I need a new book to interest people in my back log. It’s hard not to panic that besides the stories I have with editors now; I have nothing close to submission ready. And no guarantee those submissions will be contracted which will be 3 more months on another editors desk.
*I will not panic. I will not panic.*
I have heard often that a writer will write no matter what and I know it’s true. I find myself writing short stories using my 4 yo’s sight words so she can read a book all by herself, making up little stories for my 9 yo. But there is more to writing than writing. It’s a business. A business that takes time.
This morning, I opened my email box to find 2875 unread emails. To be fair, I have two email accounts for Lynne. One is linked to my website and I use it mainly for submissions and communication with my editor and I check it at least twice a day, the other is linked to the forums and loops I follow. The second is the one with 2875emails.
My Google reader is at an even 250 unread blogs. Thank you all for linking your blogs to twitter, I do check twitter several times a day, although not always in my Lynne persona, but if I see your blog, I will click on it.
My point isn’t to complain, or whine, although I admit it may sound like it. I'm simply frustrated. With myself, mostly.
My goal had been to check the Google reader once a day and then when I realized this was usually late at night when I was too tired to see straight and should not be commenting on blogs, I adjusted my expectations to once a week. I still haven’t done that. The 2875 emails are mostly from loops containing links that interest me, people that interest me. Things it would be smart to pay attention to if I’m going to be successful in this crazy business called writing.
However, when I was up on my Google reader, on top of the loops and promo activities, there was no time to write.
I realize there is a balance somewhere, but quite frankly, I haven’t found it. And this is why I'm frustrated. There is only so much time during the day.
Last week I took the week ‘off’ of work, I mean the kind that pays the bills. I usually work on my NF about 6 hours a day. I reduced that to 1 hour a day and spent those 5 hours writing, researching my writing, etc. The etc being the constant interruptions by children for things like lunch, breakfast, fights, stories, and I’m homeschooling my son this year throughout the summer. I didn’t blog or check blogs or worry about either, I just wrote.
Throughout the day, I got a solid 4 hours a day in. And you know what? Despite my fears, I haven’t forgotten to write, I just haven’t been giving myself the necessary time in which to do so. I wrote over 10 K in one week, vs the 600 words per week I was eking in. But unless I want to move the kids into a cardboard box, I need to work.
Recently I read a blog in which the author was musing about her reduced writing schedule due to summer vacation. She’d said she’d only have 4 or so hours to write a day. I turned every shade of green imaginable. What I wouldn’t give for even 2 solid hours to write every day and that was her reduced time? She wasn’t exactly complaining, but stating a fact and she’s a successful and prolific writer whom I admire.
It’s hard not compare my output with hers. Hell, it’s hard not to compare my output to many other writers. Although I celebrate their new releases, I’m beginning to worry about mine, or the lack thereof--not just about production, but promotion. Sales are down. I need a new book to interest people in my back log. It’s hard not to panic that besides the stories I have with editors now; I have nothing close to submission ready. And no guarantee those submissions will be contracted which will be 3 more months on another editors desk.
*I will not panic. I will not panic.*
I have heard often that a writer will write no matter what and I know it’s true. I find myself writing short stories using my 4 yo’s sight words so she can read a book all by herself, making up little stories for my 9 yo. But there is more to writing than writing. It’s a business. A business that takes time.
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