Seen this meme lately? Yeah, me too. Mostly in relation to weight loss or getting fit, but every time I saw it, I thought about my writing. Which, if truth be told, in the past year (or two) has come to a screeching halt. Why, you ask? The usual adult programming - work, kids, husband, family, dirty house, etc. I used to love my lists and casual routines, but when children came almost seven years ago, any order to daily life was thrown out the window. That's the one thing no one can ever truly express to a soon-to-be parent. People will say the words to you, but you just don't get it till that little human arrives. Life as you knew it, will never again be as you knew it.
Every day, I struggle to keep my head above the adulting water, but I still feel and hear the nagging voice that says, "Hello! Screw the mom-guilt over feeding your kids chicken nuggets on a daily basis. What about your writing?!?" It used to be when I was having a writing lull, my characters would still be alive and well in my mind, living their lives, waiting for me to get in front of a keyboard but in the past year of so I feel as if they've been hibernating. This makes me sad. I'm tired of getting nothing writing-related accomplished. I know it's a season of life, one that I'm truly blessed and grateful to be experiencing, but not being able to write when a story is bubbling inside, makes me feel as if I'm hibernating too... with no known end in sight.
There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. ~ Maya Angelou
Back to the meme. Before kids, I could write for hours at a time if I had the time. Now? No way. Not going to happen unless I become an insomniac. To steal a few hours on the weekend means leaving the wee ones to yell at each other and stare at their electronic babysitters, which I can do every once and a while, but may not be realistic every weekend. (FYI - my hubs owns and runs his own business and tends to work many weekends.) So, other options?
Wake up early? - Blarg. I've never been a morning person. I have thought of waking up early and cleaning house - this takes no creativity and might leave other weekend time available for writing.
Write on my lunch break? - Maybe. I tend to eat at my desk and work through lunch, and it's hard to switch mindsets, but it's a possibility.
Stay up late? - This is easier for me than waking up early, but by the end of day, brain and body tend to be fried.
What's a gal to do? I loved writing in long chunky hours. I would get into the story, the characters would start talking, ideas flowing and it felt like magic. I'm not sure how to tap into that same flow and turn it on and off in short bursts. I feel this is my biggest obstacle, but If I'm going to be productive at all, I have to figure it out and it has to become a routine or else it will definitely not be a happy ending.
What's your daily routine? Have you made the shift to daily writing? Have any tips, tricks, or words of commiseration? In the end, I know I have to suck it up and do it. Persistence and perseverance is the key to success, and according to the internet, I have to do it daily! lol Happy writing everyone.
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