Scheduling Writing Time #IWSG #writerslife

The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day.

The Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

IWSG Asks: What steps have you taken to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing? 

Scheduling my writing has always been challenging. I've written blog posts about this subject many times in an effort try to sort it out. I run a busy household with 4 young children and a husband who has a growing list of hobbies. My writing isn't consider 'important' to my family, so I need to work in my writing time whenever I get a spare moment. Somehow, I manage. I wrote an entire novel in 15 minute increments one summer because I have no one to watch my children while I write.

Now, that my children are getting older, they're getting more supportive. Over the holiday vacation, I managed to get an hour of writing in the morning while my kids watched TV and played. They did their best to keep each other occupied so they little ones wouldn't interrupt me. I sat at the kitchen table while they stayed in the living and dining room, fetching drinks whenever they ventured into the kitchen. I managed to complete a 6500 short story. It's not an ideal situation, but I do what I have to do.

That seems to be the motto of my life...I do what I have to do to get things done.

This year, I'm going to push myself more. My life is in turmoil right now with certain family matters that are out of my control. And I foresee many changes in the future. Writing keeps me sane, so I'm planning to focus as much as my free time on writing as I'm able. That free time might become even more scarce as I'm going to have more responsibilities, but I love writing too much to give it up. And, since I was a teenager, I've wanted to write and publish books. I'm living my dream. Now, its time to make that dream live for me. 

Since we've just welcomed a New Year, I'm re-evaluating my writing life. I'm working on a list of goals. I'll post those next week. I'm also scheduling a calendar of promotion for my books and my blog. I want to help other authors promote their books, too. And, I'm working on a 5-year business plan. I haven't done one of those for a while, so I figure I'm due.

My advice to other writers...

Even if you can only write for 15 minutes a day, do it! Those 15 minutes add up. Whether its in the morning, afternoon, night, during your lunch break at work or maybe while the baby is napping. It doesn't matter. Keep your writing close by at all times so its easy to open a notebook or screen and get right to it. If you have no one to help you find the time, then you have to find the time yourself.

I hope everyone has a Healthy and Prosperous New Year filled with writing and reading!

 

Keep a weather eye open for Pirates: A Boys Behaving Badly anthology.
Coming in February 2018!

Be sure to visit the other writers in the 

Insecure Writer's Support Group!

I write sensual paranormal and historical romances. Interested in learning more about my stories? Become a VIP Reader by signing-up for my newsletter where you'll learn about my new book releases, updates on my works-in-progress, writing tips, book reviews, contests, and other fun book-related info!

Happy Writing!

Tricia

Looking Back at 2017 #IWSG #writerslife

The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day.

The Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

IWSG Asks: As you look back on 2017, with all its successes and failures, if you could backtrack, what would you do differently? 

If I could turn back time and start 2017 over again, I'd like do a lot of things differently. Regarding my writing career, I'd write more. A lot more. In fact, each year that is my New Year's Resolution. 

Write more. 

In reality, my family life tends to get chaotic and my writing often gets pushed aside to deal with all the situations created by my husband and my four children. My kids are involved with Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, bowling, baseball, chorus, band, and craft workshops just to name a few. My calendar is packed with committee meetings, lessons and activities nearly every day of the week. My husband's hobby is collecting hobbies which keeps him busy on his own when he's not working, so I'm left with taking care of everyone, making sure everyone has what they need and gets to where they need to go mostly on my own. Keeping the household running smoothly has become a full-time job, one with no income, benefits or appreciation.

If it sounds like I'm making excuses not to write, I'm definitely not. Somehow, I always manage to squeeze writing time in between all of this. A few minutes here or there, maybe an hour if I'm lucky. I've written 3 stories this year of varying lengths. I've submitted all 3 for publication. I've got one rejection, one acceptance, and one request for a full manuscript this year. Not too bad in my opinion, considering what little time I have. It just gets frustrating knowing that I could do so much more if I had a little help and support. I've tried negotiating with my family for more writing time. That hasn't worked out well. My four kids are still little (between the ages of 2 - 11), so they don't understand how important it is to me, yet. My husband has work and his band and other commitments which doesn't allow time to watch the children or take them to any of their activities so I can write in peace and quiet. I have no other family. Everyone else in my family and my husband's family has either died, moved out of state or has too many health issues to lend a helpful hand with my chaotic life.   

Although, I don't have the kind of family support that other writers might enjoy, I'm stubborn at not giving up and still manage to write...just not as quickly as I'd prefer. I have an immense file and notebooks filled with ideas for stories and book series that I'd just love to get working on. I know the time will come eventually. My children will grow and become more self-sufficient each year. In sixteen years, I might even be able to write for more than an hour a day. I just hope that my readers are patient.         

Keep a weather eye open for Pirates: A Boys Behaving Badly anthology.
Coming in January 2018!

Be sure to visit the other writers in the 

Insecure Writer's Support Group!

I write sensual paranormal and historical romances. Interested in learning more about my stories? Become a VIP Reader by signing-up for my newsletter where you'll learn about my new book releases, updates on my works-in-progress, writing tips, book reviews, contests, and other fun book-related info!

Happy Writing!

Tricia

Summer Writing Blues #AuthorUpdate #amwriting

Summer is in full swing! Many of you are currently on vacation or have plans for a nice summer escape whether its traveling somewhere or staying at home to simply turn the pages of a good book. Or maybe both!

My favorite part of summer is lounging outside on a comfy porch swing and reading the day away. Honestly, though, I haven't had much opportunity for such luxuries. My kids are keeping me rather busy this summer. Busier than most other summers.

And, oh, how my writing has suffered as a result! I barely wrote a word for the entire month of June! It's been constant chaos and noise (varying from laughter to crying, depending on which of my  children are getting along and which are fighting). I have 4 children (ages 2, 6, 9, & 11). Then there's swimming lessons, kid's craft workshops, Scouting activities, trips to the library and local museums and summer camps. I'm also working with my oldest this summer to prepare him for the upcoming school year. Last year, he struggled with his grades and I don't want him to suffer the summer slide that the teachers tell me often happens to students during vacation.

Needless to say, my typical writing during the baby's nap time schedule has gone with the summer wind. I resorted to writing at night again, after the kids go to bed, but I continue to struggle with this time frame since I tend to fall asleep early. Really, I love them dearly, but my kids exhaust me! Since writing at night isn't working to my liking, my next option is negotiating with them.




Maybe this will work...

"If Mommy doesn't get any writing time, 

then kids don't get any PlayStation time."

I haven't dared implement this...yet. It's my secret weapon. I'm still trying to figure out which part of the day I'm going to squeeze in a writing hour or two before I make my demands.

Also, to encourage me to buckle down and make this work, I've joined Camp NaNo. With the summer Nano, I can choose my own word count goal to suit my needs and change it as I see fit. I can also choose my own type of writing project. I've started a new novel. Realistically, I know that I won't be able to churn out 50k so I've shaved that in half for a goal of 25k this month. I'm hoping that will give me a nice chunk to begin and I can continue on in August.

I did well enough last week. This week, I've faltered. The Summer Writing Blues hit.

No time. No quiet. No escape. 

However, I know I won't give up. I've tried to in the past, it just doesn't stick. So, I'll figure it out. It might take me all summer, but I'll find my precious writing time. Even if I have to resort taking 5 to 15 minute sprints I used to write when my two oldest boys were toddlers.

I'll make it work. 

That's what writers do. 

Happy Reading!

Tricia

Finding Time to Write #IWSG #writers #writinglife

IWSG Asks: How do you find the time to write in your busy day?

This month's question from the Insecure Writer's Support Group neatly coincides with the topic I planned to write this week since my children have gone back to school.

Finding time to write.

Most writers don't write full-time. Rather, they have full-time jobs and writing is a passion the creative person cannot deny, so they eek out bits of writing time wherever and whenever they're able.

My own situation is both easy and difficult to find writing time.

I'm a stay-at-home mom.

Yeah, I can already hear the response from those who have day jobs. It usually sounds a lot like my husband...

"Oh, poor darling, having difficulty finding time to write when you're home all day long?" Add in the eye roll and the sarcastic sigh and usually a glib remark about watching soaps and eating bon-bons.

Sound familiar?

Well, yes, it is true I'm home all day. Although, my stay-at-home status is my full-time job. I have 4 children between the ages of 16 months and 10 years, 3 rescued cats and a husband with more hobbies and social commitments than you can shake a stick at. Caring for my family and running the entire household falls directly onto my shoulders. Shoulders which I admit at times don't feel very capable. Did I mention my constant self-doubt with anxiety and depression issues?

Not to mention that writing is one of the least appreciated careers out there. If you have a family who supports your writing hobby or career, then consider yourself blessed. I'm happy for you. You are a lucky duck, indeed. Not all writers have the familial support that they so desperately need. In that case, this particular group is a salvation! The Insecure Writer's Support Group must have been established just for me! Actually, I'm guessing many of you are probably thinking the same thing yourselves.

But, I digress. Finding time to write is difficult…if you let the idea overwhelm you. It's not so much about finding time, but making time.

One of the things I constantly remind myself is that there are 24 hours in a day. All of us have those same 24 hours. What we chose to do with that time is what makes the difference. (Even Stephen King and Nora Roberts have the same 24 hours that you and I do! Yes, it's true! I looked it up.) If I manage to only write for 15 minutes a day, I feel that I've accomplished something. That's 15 minutes of writing that I don't have to do tomorrow! Although, I admit, I do make an effort to grab more time for my writing. But, in my world...with my busy family, each day presents new challenges and new situations.

During summer vacation, I found it quite easy to find time to write. With all of my kids home from school, it was a simple enough task to have them play with toys or games in the living room while I sat on the sofa, my playlist of writing inspirational music blasting into my headphones while I tapped away on my laptop. I wrote 25,000 words one week in July doing just that. Occasionally, I'd be pulled out of my writing zone to handle disputes between my kids. Okay, probably every day I needed to do that, but it was only for a moment. I'd settle whatever conflict had arisen and send them back to play...or to their room depending on if the situation called for it.

I know that scenario doesn't work for many people. And it only worked for a maximum of an hour or two each day for me. Since I've never had a babysitter or even family to watch my children (no, even my husband doesn't volunteer to watch my kids so I can go write), I've had 10 years of training my kids to play nicely while Mommy writes. Lucky for me, it's worked. Not easily. Not ideally either. But, I make it work. I've had to. If I waited for that perfect opportunity to write, I'd still probably be waiting. I know for certain, I wouldn't have any books published if I waited for free time. 

Ha! Free time. What's that?

 

Now, it's September and 3 of my children are back in school, leaving my 16 month-old home with me. And I've discovered how easy I've had it in the recent years with my older kids entertaining themselves while I write. Having them play together kept them occupied, but now my baby boy has no one to play with save me.

So, now I'm back to writing during naptimes for the first time in about 3 years. Those naps can range from 20 minutes to an hour depending on when or if the phone rings to wake him up (I always forget to turn the ringer off!).

At times, I do try to write at night when everyone is asleep, but honestly, since I've become a mother, I'm totally exhausted by the end of the day. My brain can't seem to focus on anything other than Netflix binging on Supernatural (for maybe the 3rd time round…or is it the 4th? Hmm…) and working on my newest craft project. I'm teaching myself to knit! Never thought I could do it and now I'm addicted, but that's another story!

So, how do you find time to write?

To be honest, that is one of most frequent questions that people ask me. Since I've been writing all of my life, the answer changes each year.

My advice to writers? Stay flexible with your writing time. Don't get bent out of shape if you can't write 5 hours a day or even 2 or 1. Whether you get up an hour early in the morning or stay up an hour late at night, or if you write for only 15 minutes on a pad of paper while you're waiting to pick up your kid at whatever extracurricular activity your sweet darling has chosen to inflict on your day…be flexible. What works for you now, might not work next year, or even next month.

A couple of years ago, I wrote during my lunch breaks when I was working full-time as an Assistant Manager.

Now, I write during my baby's naptimes.

In a couple of years, I'll write during preschool hours.

One day (sending out those positive manifestation thoughts now!), I'll write for a full 8-hours a day in my sleek brand new office that I plan to re-model a portion of my garage into. Until then, I've been known to bring my laptop into the kitchen to write a few lines of my story in between preparing and cooking supper. Hey, just finding my 15 minutes of writing time any way I can.

No, this does not explain why I burned the pork chops.

Stop listening to my husband.     

What about you? How do you find time to write? I'd love to know!

Also, be sure to check out the other writers in the Insecure Writer's Support Group!

Interested in learning more about my stories? Sign-up for my newsletter where you'll learn about my new book releases, updates on my works-in-progress, writing tips, book reviews, contests, and other fun book-related info!

Happy Reading!

Tricia