How Do You Balance Your Work?
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I've been struggling a lot lately with balancing the writing work I need to do to earn money, and the writing I want to do (i.e. working on my novel). As moms, we're all so busy with caring for our families. And there are many writing moms who work outside the home as well. I want to pick the brains of other mom writers. How and when do you fit in time for your personal writing projects without neglecting your family? What does your daily schedule look like?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Loretta Lynn on -
Its always a challenge for probably every woman and writer out there. I've heard some women say they write late at night, thats when I do mine, when the kids are in bed and usually my husband.
Its also been suggested for people who want to write to get up a little earlier each day to commit to getting more words on paper. The trick is not to be editing while writing or you may never finish.
Also, depending on when you have the most creativity or alertness, write during that part of the day, early morning, late at night or maybe for some people during lunch if they work a regular 8-5 job.
also, i always carry paper and pen around with me to jot thoughts, ideas, scenes, characters, plots down on paper. I keep a spiral reporter notebook in my purse and camera bag. Just find which works for you, mornings or evenings and start writing 2-3 pages per day minimum to get into a habit and it takes 21 days to make a habit.
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Permalink Reply by Virginia Williams on
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Balance is an elusive thing! Plan, plan, plan (though this is hard with kids). Write whenever you have a chance -waiting at the doctors office, at kids activities, while on hold on the phone. Work like crazy when you have the opportunity. And when you're with your family, BE with them - put the work aside and devote your energy to them. At times you do have to tell them, sorry, mom's got to work for the next hour (or however long), but try to divide up family time and work time very clearly.
It's hard - I certainly don't have it all figured out. I do the best I can.
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Permalink Reply by Veera Hiranandani on -
It's a constant challenge, balancing work, family, other life stuff, and writing. Maybe for some of us, writing that novel is the paid work that we do and easier for it to be a priority, but for many of us it's the thing we fit in after everything else is done. I've found that a little goes a long way. I always think I need more time than I do, but a few pages a week add up. It's hard because I do so many different things to stick to any kind of "3 pages a day" regimen. But I can set aside a more realistic amount, like two hours, twice a week just for the novel. Over months I start to make real progress and I feel it's a goal I can stick to.
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Permalink Reply by Holly Bowne on
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Thanks so much to everyone for all the feedback so far! That's encouraging, Veera. I've been striving for a mere half hour a day on my novel, and feeling like it's not enough. But I guess half hour is better than skipping it completely. Baby steps I guess...
Veera Hiranandani said:It's a constant challenge, balancing work, family, other life stuff, and writing. Maybe for some of us, writing that novel is the paid work that we do and easier for it to be a priority, but for many of us it's the thing we fit in after everything else is done. I've found that a little goes a long way. I always think I need more time than I do, but a few pages a week add up. It's hard because I do so many different things to stick to any kind of "3 pages a day" regimen. But I can set aside a more realistic amount, like two hours, twice a week just for the novel. Over months I start to make real progress and I feel it's a goal I can stick to.
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