When Life Gets in the Way

I am very happy that you enjoy writing, so do I. The simple fact is that I love my job – and it is a job. Too many of us tend to forget we are holding down jobs even if we “work for ourselves’, work from a home office where we can start the day in jammies and often don’t make enough money to pay all of our bills.


It’s easy to get distracted or allow others to take advantage of you because, after all, you are around and you don’t have to punch a time clock. There’s housework, running the kids to their after school activities, the long distance relative who just needs to chat in the middle of the day, and a myriad of other intrusions on your work day. And of course we have to check our email, update our FaceBook status, send out Twitters and sometimes even stop to play solitaire on the computer.


Try logging in and out in a notebook every time you sit or rise from your desk (or wherever you do your work) for a few days. Okay, tally the hours you spend working. Give a guest-imate on how productive (or not) you were. Switch hats now, would YOU be willing to keep you on as an employee with your performance record?


Say it loud and clear – I am going to work. I am working at my job. I am not home, I am at work.


Checking email, FaceBook, Twitter and reading/writing blog posts are essential aspects of marketing and promotion for a writer so allow yourself time to do that – BUT, set a time limit. There is no reason to spend all morning updating or “chatting” on FaceBook. Do what you have to do and move on.


Schedule some organization time – if you are organized it won’t take long. This is where you check your calendar so that you don’t miss deadlines, send out new queries, respond to important emails and schedule interviews, etc. Again, limit your time.


Now comes the writing time. If you have deadline work due, tackle it. And if there is nothing pressing on your desk, work on your next novel or article on spec. This should be the biggest block of your work day, however, just like in a “real” office, be sure to schedule a few short breaks to stretch, get a cup of coffee, return a SHORT social call or even play a game on your computer. Don’t forget to schedule and actually take a lunch time. Everybody needs to recharge so don’t be an unrelenting slavedriver.

It’s a good idea to keep a project book on your desk with the day’s tasks listed (as reminders) and also to make notes on the time you spend on each project. Re-evaluate your schedule frequently to make sure it works for you and modify it as necessary. Learn to list tasks and due dates on an email calendar or even your cell phone calendar with alerts and pretend you have a secretary that will remind you of appointments and more.


The unexpected will happen from time to time which will completely throw your schedule off, roll with it and get back on track the next day. Get used to thinking of your work as a job, because it is.



Writing exercise: Did you watch TV last night, see a movie recently, or read an intriguing book? Write a short paragraph about one to three of your favorite scenes. Try to remember as many details as you can and why you liked the scene(s). Would you have changed something a character did, or placed the scene in a different setting that would have changed the outcome? Try rewriting your newer concept.

Writing prompt: You’ve just been told that you must evacuate your home in the next 20-minutes (Your family and pets are also evacuating safely). You’re told to pack ONE SMALL bag that you can carry with you, that is all you can take of your personal possessions. You don’t know if you will ever be able to return. Make a list of 10 items that you can fit into this small bag and you want/need to take with you. Don’t overpack!