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Finding time to write

Hi! I thought I'd throw a question out there because it's something
I'm really struggling with: When do you find time to write? I'm a
stay-at-home mom so you'd think I'd be able to find time but it's very
difficult. I have tried to write during nap times but that has been
harder this summer with everyone home. I've tried at night when the
kids are in bed but that's the only time that I get alone with my
husband. When do you write?

Thanks!
Alysia

Tags: moms, time, writing

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Linda Boulanger on August 3, 2010 at 11:16am

Alysia, I am in the same boat, sort of. I work primarily from home and especially during the summer. Even though my children are 6, 9, 12,15 (and each almost a year older) I have found this summer particularly difficult. I am used to them being gone for at least 5 hours during the day (our schools are not all on the same schedule so older kids go earlier and come home earlier). During the summer, they want to do stuff and friends want to do stuff and no one thinks, because you are at home, that you have stuff to do! I tried really hard to set up a stringent summer schedule. It failed. I do have things that have to get done and I do them first, which leaves little time for writing. Still, I've managed to find the time in little bits and pieces. When my 6 year old is in the bath and I have to hang close or risk a tidal wave...I grab my notebook. ANYTIME I have to wait for anything: Dr. check-ups, bank line, waiting for kids...I always have my notebook. I'm blessed with someone who willingly types up my stuff, but I almost always write in a notebook. As a publisher and editor I spend so much time at the computer that I have to get away. Notebooks have saved my sanity because they're easy and I can pull it out anywhere. When I can't write, I work and rework scenes in my head so when it comes time to actually do the writing, it usually flows rather easily. Then there are the times when I wake up at 3:30am and HAVE to get up because the characters are demanding to be released to paper. Those days work best when the kids are in school and I don't have to deal with anyone except via the computer :)

Permalink Reply by Linda Boulanger on August 3, 2010 at 6:39pm

Alysia, because I am part owner in our traditional publishing house and owner of One Stop Publisher, I also have to find time to create covers as discussed in a new post on my writer's blog: http://writersshelflife.blogspot.com/

Permalink Reply by akbutler on August 3, 2010 at 7:39pm

Thank you Linda for taking the time to respond. I don't know how you do it! I've got three little ones (8, 4 and almost 2) and finding time without someone needing me is almost impossible. I like the notebook idea. I seem to have my best ideas in the shower! maybe it's because it's my only alone time. I need that notebook to write stuff down quickly when I get out before the demands are made on me again. Thanks!
I love your book covers and book cover post, by the way. Thanks for sharing that - I had no idea how it worked!
Alysia

Permalink Reply by Linda Boulanger on August 3, 2010 at 8:53pm

You know, Alysia, I have this theory that your brain cells don't start popping back out until your youngest child is 3 years old so the fact that you are able to do what you do is truly amazing! Those are tough ages to try to do anything beyond mothering. I had to laugh because I always say the shower is my only alone time and wanted to put that I always take my notebook with me, even to the bathroom. :(

Permalink Reply by Cj Poindexter on August 6, 2010 at 11:39pm

Linda, there is truth to what you said. Noelle is three and I finally feel my creative self again.

Linda Boulanger said:

You know, Alysia, I have this theory that your brain cells don't start popping back out until your youngest child is 3 years old so the fact that you are able to do what you do is truly amazing! Those are tough ages to try to do anything beyond mothering. I had to laugh because I always say the shower is my only alone time and wanted to put that I always take my notebook with me, even to the bathroom. :(

Last night I stayed up almost all night writing because I just felt like I had to.

My desire is to have a two hour block of time every night, but I find I am my most productive during the day. My kids are home all day and my middle baby has ADHD (truth be told so do I), so it gets hard. In the morning I do 3 pages in my notebook. When my kids see that red notebook, they know to leave me alone as best they can. That is the only time they are not allowed in, which is usually fine because morning cartoons are on. If I can get it done in one sitting, it takes about 20 minutes.

My bed is my office, so I set my laptop up in the morn. In between mommy work, I write. Sometimes I say to the kids, give me one hour and then we can play a game or go to the pool. I make sure I follow through. I have also developed an ability to work with the kids all piled up in my "office". They watch TV, play legos and tea party. I have written many a blog, with the TV on, feet in my face and a body in my lap. Quentin and Jon actually read along as I type.

Although I am able to hyper focus in spurts, I am not getting as much done as I like. I have a webstore/blog which I constantly neglect and am considering shutting down altogether. I hope I will be able to get a babysitter for Noelle one day out the week during the school year. That would give me a 5 hour block of time. My husband is a writer too, and has an early job where he is home usually by 5. We make it a point to have dates with each other as much as we can. And we talk on the phone like school girls - that is actually when we get down to business!

I don't get as much done as I like, but it is what it is - while it is. If I do something everyday, it usually keeps me from getting discouraged. Keep the faith, I truly believe that when you do what you love, things fall into place.

Permalink Reply by akbutler on August 7, 2010 at 7:28am

Thank you CJ. Your house sounds like mine! I've written most of my posts while Blue's Clues was on or my older son was playing a game on the Wii. I guess the idea is to fit it in where you can as much as you can. Thanks for all the advice!

Permalink Reply by Stefanie on August 16, 2010 at 1:02pm

I just blogged on this, hope the article can be of value to you and others. TheWriteOneBlog.com: How do I make time for writing?

Permalink Reply by Torie Combest on September 1, 2010 at 8:16pm

Alysia,

I am with you. I have three children, 4,6 and 9, that have no idea what mommy time even means. My youngest recently started preschool which means I have at least half the day of silence. My blog is inspired by the fact that I had no time for me so I lost who I was. Now I am reclaiming my identity by writing the blog during their school time but I still have my struggles with that.

It is important to make time for what you love. Even if it means writing until the morning hours.

Torie
www.tlcombest.wordpress.com

Permalink Reply by Artemis Clover on September 8, 2010 at 3:45pm

as a new mom, we don't have anything that resembles a schedule. i write when the babes is sleeping, i write when i am inspired, i write whenever i can't turn my head off. i find that i am a better writer in the morning and when i am truly jazzed and burning to write. but i also try to blog everyday and that helps me write even when i don't feel like it because sometimes you just have to.

Permalink Reply by Marina DelVecchio on September 21, 2010 at 8:15pm

I find it hard to write as well with two kids and a part time job and blogging and trying to make money off blogging. I get a great idea for an article, write down notes, and then forget about it because my three year old pulls me away from the computer. It's so hard. I finally told my hubs that Sunday is my day to write. He gets the kids! We need help!

http://marinagraphy.com
http://twitter.com/marinagraphy

Marina

Permalink Reply by Marina DelVecchio on September 21, 2010 at 8:17pm

Artemis, I love your name.

It was easier to write when my kids were babies. Now it gets harder...but I love blogging. I always feel good about myself when I hit the publish key! Don't you?

http://marinagraphy.com

Artemis Clover said:

as a new mom, we don't have anything that resembles a schedule. i write when the babes is sleeping, i write when i am inspired, i write whenever i can't turn my head off. i find that i am a better writer in the morning and when i am truly jazzed and burning to write. but i also try to blog everyday and that helps me write even when i don't feel like it because sometimes you just have to.

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Tyree on October 9, 2010 at 1:30pm

Well, I know its hard for me because the internet is right there telling me to check my email, my facebook, my twitter, and everything else.
I found this program calle CreaWriter - and what it does is take over your screen with a pretty picture, and lovely soothing music and you just write. You write and write and write. And it really does help! No distractions. I do not remember the website, but Im sure if you Google CreaWriter you will come up with it... There is a free version which I have, but you can also upgrade to a paid version and have more variety (picture music and features)...

You should check it out.