The Right Time to Write
Don't mean to complain, but I have five children and I'm the Primary President. I've been trying to simplify my life, so I quit the PTA and sent my one remaining piano student to another teacher this fall. If writing was still just a hobby for me, it would be gone too. No, writing is not just a hobby. Writing is my part-time job that I don't get paid for yet. Two hours a day, whether I feel like writing or not.
So if I went away to live on a remote desert island and did nothing but write and eat cold MRE's, would I be published by now?
Maybe, but I wouldn't be as good of a writer.
My life gives me something to write about. All the experience I gain raising my family, serving at church, and volunteering in the community teaches me about people, about feelings, about conflict, about communication, about love, about life. Everything that happens to me can inspire me, can add a drop to my creative well, give me another fine thread to weave into my stories.
Every day I learn new things. It's painful sometimes, but every day I'm getting a teeny bit smarter and wiser and better. So I don't spend much time feeling bad that I don't have more time to write. I've got time to live! I believe that four hours a day would be my ideal amount of writing time, but I can't have that right now, so I'm content with two.
I know when I'm ready, when the time is right, I'll publish. And my novels will be richer for all the experience I've gained on the way.
I'm just looking forward to next year and KINDERGARTEN!
Great post Rebecca and I agree with you. There has to be a certain amount of balance in our lives. We just can't do one thing and be good at it. Life is our best source of inspiration, whether from our family or the community around us.
ReplyDeleteThis past January I was able to finally leave my job after 20 years of helping my husband build our business, a restaurant. So, I write full time. I'm one of the lucky ones to be able to do that and because of the extra time devoted to my craft, I'm getting published. My first book will be released through Valor in May of next year.
With that being said, I still have to make time for other things. Life has to go on and there is a world out there that has nothing to do with writing. That's right girls, it's out there.
A friend of mine once told me there was a season for all things. That is why we are all in different stages of writing, different stages of motherhood and different stages of life. What works for one person may be impossible for another.
So, Rebecca, keep taking advantage of the two hours you've got and honing your skills. The season for you to get published may be just around the corner.
I'm with you, Rebecca... in the throws of motherhood! Let me just ask... When do you find your two hours? :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post Rebecca, I think that sometimes if I had nothing to do but write all day, I would be published also and an amazing writer. Then again- all this time and experiences bless my writing so much. I just carry around notebooks making notes that I may one day use in my first brilliant novel...or not. I love that you are able to carve out 2 hours, what awesome commitment. I look forward to seeing your name on a spine at Barnes and Nobles one day
ReplyDeleteIt was hard to find those two hours. I sat down with my schedule and looked for a time when I didn't have anything I HAD to be doing. Because I have those two hours set aside, I just work harder the rest of the day to get everything else done and earn it. When I wake up in the morning with the urge to write, I put that energy into taking care of my family, doing my housework, and my primary stuff. Somehow, it all gets done!
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