(My front porch at sunrise Dec '09)
In a previous post I mentioned I would not be making New Year resolutions. I would not be putting myself under writing pressure, and I removed a self imposed deadline for my novel.
This was the biggest mistake I have made in my writing venture. What went wrong?
Well this is the layout of my daily routine.
I write articles on Triond and sometimes on Helium. I write my poetry and add it to my blog. I write and play on my blog, New Scribbles and I write my novel. I am adding notes about another one or two books playing in my mind and I run house. I have four dogs to care for and a great DH who does all of the cooking. I help a neighbour or six, I also maintain a house & large garden for friends. I do an early morning market with my friend on Wednesdays and Sundays, every now and then.I have started making card toppers for a friend who has a craft shop, I love making cards.
I am fortunate enough not to have to work in a nine to five job.
So by removing the pressure of a novel finishing deadline, I felt free. I had gained time as far as I was concerned, and could take things a little easier.
That was my mistake. I twittered for hours, so had to unplug from that for a little while. I read books, not a bad thing to do and a positive thing.
I helped build two websites for my friend, to help get her business off the ground. Another good thing to do as I learned so many new techniques that will help when I have my book website. Then it happened, I was invited to write at RedGage, to upload my photographs and articles. I joined and admit to having fun there, writing daily is a positive thing, so I was happy, I was earning and it felt good.
Then it happened again, I was invited to write at Factoidz, and I joined. OK I have only added four articles, but they took time to write. I then started researching for more material, looked at the clock, looked at DH preparing the evening meal and realised something...
I was neglecting areas of my life that were important to me. DH and the dogs are never neglected by me, so don't go gooey on me. No, it was you my friends here, my poetry blog and most important of all, it was Ripper My Love...I neglected Kitty. I had put her on the pile of...lots of time yet.
Yesterday I made a decision to restore a deadline, to regain order in my writing life and to learn to switch away from online writing temptations. My posts will not be daily, my articles will be as and when I am inspired, but Kitty will be allowed to breath again, this is my U turn and it feels good.
8 Comments:
I so relate to this post, Glynis, and it's a reminder to focus on the priorities. Oh, if only we had more time. I'm sure we wouldn't have any problem filling those hours! Bright wishes. x
Odd, Glynis, I just posted about falling into too much of a break after finishing a w.i.p. It's easy to do.
I too relate to this, Glynis. I often feel as if I need 48 hours in a day to do all that I want to do. A children's novel has gone on hold. It is so easy to commit to too many things.But, isn't life great!
I think what you did was reset your priorities. That's a good thing. I really understand the need to figure out what is really important to me and work on those things.
Helen
Straight From Hel
I do not know what's going on but everyone seems to be having time and writing issues. I am aiming at writing one article per week. I know it's not much but that's all the time I can afford. I am loving Red Gage and am not sorry I joined. The c ommunity seems quite supportive. I am resisting Twitter for the time being. Thing is, all these sites are fun but there are only 24 hours in a day.
I think its good to be focusees but sometimes you need to unplug lig you did.
Here's to a productive 2010!!!!
Thanks folks, it is good to know we all need more hours in a day!
Prioritize. It's important. I totally relate!
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