Alright, I've procrastinated this post long enough. I didn't post first thing after work today and the evening seamed to slip by. Of course it doesn't help that I could have dozed on the sofa before 8 tonight. I didn't sleep to well for whatever reason last night.
Thinking about time gave me an idea for today's post. Scheduling writing time. This is something I need to be better with. Right now I'm trying to find a routine that works for me. Once I have that it is so much easier to write regularly.
A few years back I was working part time after college. On the days I was home I would get a fair amount of writing in. I would get up around 9am, check various websites until about 10, then I would write until noon. Sometimes when I would be working on a more exciting part of a draft I wouldn't realize it was lunch time until the younger cat would paw my leg and meow at me. My lunch hour was split with me eating under her watchful eye, then a rousing game of fetch the puffy. Once she would settle down I could get some more writing in over the afternoon. Sure sometimes it would be rough to stay focused but in general that schedule had worked for me. And I enjoyed the writing time.
Now with my full time job I need to figure out a new routine. I've tried getting up early, I've tried writing on campus in my extra hour, I've even tried writing in the evenings. Each has it's positives and negatives. The quiet time first thing in the morning is wonderful, but for me I need to go to sleep earlier so I can make it out of bed in time the next morning. When I've managed it, writing right after work is alright. Though after a tough day fighting with databases or whatever else I need to unwind before trying to focus on something else. Evening writing works out so long as I start right after dinner. Any TV time and I'm ready to veg out.
I think though that I am going to make another effort at morning writing. Maybe I'll ease into it by getting up ten minutes earlier this week, then another ten the next. Short free writing exercises would be good for the stage I'm at with my revision preparation anyways.
So how do you fit time in for writing? Are certain times of day more preferable? Are specific places helpful? Are times grabbed whenever they can be fit in? Do you want more writing time? Happy with the time already?
Lilo is a big kitty
19 hours ago
4 comments:
I can't do it in short bursts. It just doesn't work to get me in the zone, so I'll go long times w/o writing, then stay up nights in a row to catch up. Probably not real healthy but it's working for me so far.
No, writing is certainly not healthy, but we keep at it, don't we, it's so addictive and enjoyable. Sorry I don't have a cat to disturb me.. sigh...
Karen - I'm not one for short bursts either, longer blocks of time for writing are more enjoyable. If I can stick to the morning thing I'd like to work up to at least an hour of writing time.
Carole - When balanced into a schedule writing can be healthy. The enjoyable part is key, I know writing regularly does wonders for my mood.
Funny how people think same things about the same time...
This reminds me of my blog entry for October 2nd - "How to find peace and time to write" :-D
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