Remember when I said I had some ideas for a new project? And I was waiting to finish my revisions before I started it? I’ve been good. I finished (yeah!) and now I’ve given myself permission to write something new. Party time!
So with two kids, a job, my gourmet meals (note sarcastic tone here), attempts at (semi) clean clothing and house, I have to find time to write.
And for me it’s usually early in the morning. Like really early. It has to be totally dark. I sit with my laptop on the couch and plug in my headphones. That’s when I can enter my world. You know, that place in your head where your characters live and try to survive.
Now for brainstorming and second drafts, I don’t have to have the dark and the no interruptions. But that first draft is special.
How about you? Can you write first drafts amidst flying Barbie dolls, fifty questions, laundry piles and phone calls?
I’m curious.
Photo by Denys Kurbato
10 comments:
I don't have kids...but we have my boyfriend's daughter every weekend and I get NO writing done those weekends. Sometimes I'll sit on the sofa with my notepad while she and my boyfriend watch some kids' movie and write...but it's hard to focus for long because I end up having to get up to go get something for her.
I am lucky enough to have my own office in the back corner of our walk-out basement. I have a full-sized window next to my desk that looks out onto the back of my neighbor's house and the woods behind it. I do just about all my writing there--either during the day when the kids are gone, or at night, when everyone else is upstairs. I need the solitude.
I can't have the kids around. they can be asleep, but if they are awake and in the house, I can't write.
have fun with your new WIP!
I write best when I'm alone, although once I'm in "the zone" the house could fall down and I wouldn't notice. It's getting into that mode that's hardest for me and for that I need absolute quiet, a clean desk, a strong cup of joe, and early morning.
Congrats on finishing your revision and enjoy your first draft!
Congrats on the first draft!
I used to be able to write almost anywhere under almost any condition; in bars, on the beach, with people, animals and/or loud music happen around me. Somewhere along the way I did an about-face. Now I need to be alone and it needs to be quiet. I give hubby sour looks when he interrupts. :)
WOW. You and I are almost on the exact same writing schedule! I've just this weekend started a new WIP, too!
As for finding time to write...I don't have kids, but I spend a lot of time working for the day job. I snatch writing time whenever I can, usually on weekends. I tend to write in massive, productive bursts. I could NOT keep a schedule. If I schedule writing, I immediately don't want to write.
I guess I'm weird, but I usually need diversions when I write. :-D I tend to have crafts, videos, websites and whatnot around me. Then I write in small bursts, after which I always have to do something tangible (that's where the crafts, websites, etc. come into play). The difference between first and second (and any consequential) drafts is that the writing bursts are longer when I'm writing first drafts.
My kids are out of the house now, so I write whenever I want. But I used to do most of my writing when they were at school. Summer was difficult, I'd get nothing done. I still prefer to write when I'm alone in the house. My routine is to get up with my husband at 6:30, make coffee, check email, and start writing. I get most of my writing done by noon, then it's time for errands, laundry, and reading.
Okay so I have to say, these comments are so interesting! It just goes to show how different everyone is does'nt it?
Hello Asian neighbor! (I am in Tokyo.) I am in a very similar situation...work full time, got a one-and-a-half-year old at home and #2 on the way. Sometimes I just have to tell the Mrs. that I've got to work or writing and go hide in the bedroom for an hour or so. Last night I tried writing after everyone was sleeping but I usually find it hard to write anything but garbage if it gets too late and I can't keep my eyes open!
Post a Comment