I'm pretty sure that Lisa's still in Italy, enjoying all that Italian . . . . pasta. And it looks like Kendra's posting tomorrow, but if I'm posting on top of someone else, please slap me down.
We didn't do a challenge check-in this weekend. And yes, I know tomorrow's our meeting (7 p.m. Blue Pepper in Salem, Lovely and Always Inspiring Alice Sharpe speaking) and we'll do our goals then, but I really enjoy the check-in thread, even when I can't post.
I hope Paty didn't start the thread because she was so busy typing and hitting that word count! Ditto for Eli and Alice.
Me, I'm not so busy with the typing, but I AM writing. I'm trying to edit a scene in the previous WIP an evening right now, and writing on the current WIP on yellow legal pads whenever the small demon naps (on me).
Oh, and while I'm here, can I ask a question? When do you all clean? I'm writing. And baby wrangling. And doing dishes. And making dinner. And doing laundry. And reading. And my head is spinning. I'm thinking that I'm missing some sort of writer's secret bible on how to get it all done. Do I just submit to the clutter? Do you have a schedule to make sure that you get BOTH cleaning AND writing done? Do you put off writing to clean? PLEASE share your daily/weekly routine! Maybe there's something I'm not doing?
6 comments:
I'm lucky I didn't start writing until my youngest was almost three. I would have been pulling out my hair if I'd needed writing time with three kids under the age of four. Even now it is hard.
I think there is a secret bible and successful authors have read it. But when you ask how they write with five kids they talk about giving up TV or letting the housework go. They won't share the real secret! Prioritizing, scheduling, and going without sleep seem to be the usual answers. There has to be a simple explanation they're protecting. Maybe you have to join a secret club.
For me, I don't watch TV anymore. I watch the news and American Idol. Nothing else. And (ducking with arms protecting head) I have someone clean my house.
Hey, all!
Kendra, I think it's wonderful you have someone come in to clean. I can't swing that right now, but it would be heavenly to have someone come in for an hour or two a day to get the basics done and then perhaps do a deep clean or a bigger cleaning project once a month.
Right now I do triage cleaning: a quick mopping to pick up the dog hair, change the bedding and keep the laundry going almost all day. Other things I do as they drive me crazy. Of course, there's just me and my dogs, so I don't have the challenge of other people making messes and leaving them as seems to happen with kids and other people in the house.
I'm between writing projects right now. However, I am doing promotion, and will help judge a contest as well as do edits for my February 2009 release later in the month.
I do have a schedule. It's something I started doing last fall. I have a big project (or two) for each month or for 2-3 months. Sometimes it's working on a writing project, but sometimes I give myself permission not to write while I get other things done. It's helping and I'm more focused on a few specific projects rather than stressing over all the things I'm not getting done.
However, when you're at the beck and call of a baby or small children 24/7--I'm not sure there's production system that works. Maybe the moms with small children can give you some magic suggestions.
Happy writing and cleaning. LOL!
You're not stepping on toes, Wavy, and I'm glad you posted. Lisa won't be back until Aug 3, so you're safe. :) As far as I know, Paty's on her way to California and Alice is busy with family stuff. Me? Um...yeah. I avoided the check in because I didn't get anything done. I mean, I did - I'm over the halfway mark now - but I've been slammed with non-writing (ie, chapter stuff and crazy home schedule) this past week that kept me from those awesome word counts.
Regarding your question about cleaning...ack. Bane of my existence. This has actually been a point of contention between the DH and I. We used to have a cleaning lady, I loved her, DH didn't think she did a very good job and couldn't see shelling out $90 every two weeks. (I think it's worth it, but then that's me. If it were up to me I'd get a cook and someone to do all the laundry too. Oh, and a pool boy. Named Raoul, with abs of steal and golden skin who, for some odd reason, wears swim trunks 24/7, even in the dead of the winter...forget the fact we don't even have a pool.)
Where was I? Oh, right. Cleaning. We ended up letting our cleaning lady go last fall. The house turned into a bomb. I tried to do one thing per day - clean bathrooms, clean the kitchen, straighten upstairs - it's impossible to do it all at the same time and write too. That worked. The house was never TOTALLY clean at one time, but it was clean in parts. And that was enough to make it liveable. Until I sold. Then things got crazy. Right now my house is a pit a lot of the time. I keep the kitchen clean, I have the kids pick up toys, but my house needs a good deep clean, esp. now that summer's here and the kids are home. I think with my next contract I'll hire my cleaning lady back (shhh...don't tell the DH). In the meantime, last week I got smart and told the 9 yr old I'd pay her to clean. She did a great job on the bathrooms and she's cheaper than the cleaning service (not as good, but hey, it's better than nothing and it keeps her from whining, "I'm bored!"). Since she's home for the summer my plan is to put her to work so I can write. Unfortunately, that won't work for you right now...but just think...eight more years and you'll be good to go!!! :)
As far as the secret bible Kendra mentioned, I'm convinced it's just prioritizing what's important and making sure the people in your family agree...and are supportive. Like Kendra, I don't watch TV anymore - the news and Jay Leno, that's about it. The DH used to think it meant I didn't want to hang with him. But evenings were (and still are) the only quiet times where I can write. I will say - as fabulously supportive as my DH has been from day one - he has been much more understanding of schedules and the state of the house and everything else since I sold. Like it or not, that's the truth and I've heard other authors say it as well. My kids on the other hand???? Completely different story.
Not sure that helped or answered any of your questions. Thanks for posting today.
Kendra--Three under Four??? Oh sweet heavens, you need a medal just for living through that!
And I agree--the going without sleep thing seems to be really common. And I just can't do that one. Maybe later when she's not waking up 9 zillion times a night, but I'm the type of person who really NEEDS sleep in order to keep mentally and physically healthy.
Eli--let me know if there's any chapter stuff I could help with. I know you want to get good progress before Nationals. It's awesome that you are so far!
I know that Piper (We miss you Piper!) used to get her oldest to clean for $$ as well. Your DD is at a good age for it.
I think perhaps that you just had a not so great cleaning person last time. You should shop around. Back when DH and I were both working full-time, good paying jobs, we went through 3 different people before we found someone who had similar priorities to us. (I.e. the lovely lady who spent most of each visit cleaning out the fridge = not so much). We've had similar issues getting someone to help with the yard. Definitely trial and error.
Thanks everyone!
Cleaning? Moi? Bwahahahaha! I spot clean when it gets to the point I can't stand it any more. We don't have little kids around, and we never have any company, so what's the point? I focus on bathrooms and kitchen for health reasons. As for the carpets, Jim vacumes. And we try not to think about the various science experiments going on between the fibers. I mean, we have pets that include a geriatric dog. Need I say more?
Hi Wavy! I was out of town so I'm responding late.
I clean when I have company coming. You know dust, vacuum, mop the floors. If no one is coming, I vacuum when I can't stand it any longer and sweep when I can't stand the dust bunnies in the corners. My windows are disgusting thanks to grandkid fingers and hands, but I figure I'll worry about that later. Life is too short to do things you don't like just because some where in earlier generations women put a HUGE importance on a spotless house.
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