I've noticed lately I have more unproductive days than productive ones. Or maybe what I mean is more days I feel unproductive. The fact is, no matter how you look at it, I get ALOT done in a week. I just haven't felt that way lately. When I don't have time to write, I get a bit cranky. (quitting smoking last week might have something to do with it, too)
I work a full time job as the lead IT Support Specialist (resident geek) for an office of about 250 people. With two daughters still at home (my son lives on his own) and in school (for at least another week), there are always events, games, practices, concerts and any number of other activities to cart the girls to, watch or plan in some fashion. In the summer, I also try to play for a women's softball team (emphasis on try as I tend to miss more games than make it to). Busy, right? The ever present balancing act between the writing and the rest of my life can be tenuous at best, especially in the summer months.
So what is my point here? Simply this. You have to forgive yourself for being busy. Don't let the worry that you haven't written a word in a week get to you. Know that if you are anything at all like me, the urge to write is inherent, and no matter how busy you are or how many entries are on your calendar, eventually the urge and need to write will return and you will get back to it. Eventually the muse comes back and settles himself on a nearby beanbag chair to torment you with delicious stories.
Until then, sit back, relax and enjoy the softball game :)
Great post, Rebecca! :) Very true. You really do have to just accept it and when you do, you'll probably start to feel productive again. :)
ReplyDeleteThat week I took off in May did my muse the world of good as far as recharging his batteries goes. I didn't worry once about not writing. It was actually quite liberating. So, yeah, quit beating yourself up and go with what your mind is telling you. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks guys :) I am still mucking through, just at a much slower pace these past weeks. But as long as I am making some forward progress, that works for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing the same Rebecca - pace has dropped off a lot in the last few weeks. But I'm busy and I can't help it, so I've lowered my target to 500 words a day (I loves me a target :P)
ReplyDeleteI'm struggling with that very thing, so I really relate to this post. For a year, my life was filled with slow-paced days filled with writing and time with my daughter, but now that I don't get home until 6 every day and I'm trying to get the house ready to sell, my like-to-dos have taken a back seat. I feel out of sorts that I can't write as much as I want, but I'm accepting it. Once we move, I know my life will get a bit easier and taking 2 hours of commute time out of every day will free up more time. For now, I'll deal. :)
ReplyDeleteI comiserate with teh commute. I do an hour each way to the office during the week, but what I have done to try to make use of that bit of alone time I get is to putthe i-pod in my ears and let the songs wash over my imagination. I have been able to flesh out scenes and whole new story ideas during that drive time. It has become, for me (with no chance of moving my awesome house closer to work), the most productive part of my writing day on the days I can't find the time to ge tthe laptop out to actually write something.
ReplyDeleteIt's so difficult to balance work, home and writing. But I try to stay positive. Hopefully, I've got years and years to write, so I'm not going to get upset over a few lost days here and there.
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