Where do you find the time?
October 24, 2008Well, at the moment, I don’t. The question is still valid though. I was chatting with some mates at uni and they asked me how my novel was going. I assume they were half-joking – so many folk find the idea of anyone writing a novel as opposed to talking about writing a novel a bit ridiculous. So when I answered “Well, the third draft is 50,000 words long now, but I’m taking a break until uni is over,” they just stared.
“How do you get any writing done with uni?”
“I’m only aiming for 1000 words a day,” I said. “It’s not that much.”
“BULLSHIT.”
I get why some people would find 1000 words a day pretty daunting, but when I break it down into sections it isn’t half so significant. I actually start to wonder why I’m not writing more.
25 minute tram ride to uni = 800 words of first draft or 250 words of second draft.
1 hour lunch break at the library = 1500 words of first draft or 500 words of second.
25 minute tram ride home = 800 words of first draft or 250 words of second draft again.
1 hour of Mariokart = 4 cup tournaments = 200 words between each cup = 800 words.
Today’s question – where do you find the time? Pretty much everyone I know here is writing in between real life and other jobs. How do you break up your day and get things done?
In my case, with a business to run and a young baby in the house, I just have to grab any moment I can. If 10 minutes appears where bubs is asleep and I’ve done my work, I sit down and bash out some words. Some days I make 700 words, some days only 100, but there’s still progress
With uni going, not so much. I try to get a little done during the morning, maybe 3-400 words and then during the day if I get time I’ll write a page or two of thoughts and ideas. Nightime always seems best for me as I don’t have as many obligations and work to commit to, except maybe the terrors of procrastination. It’s not always an easy balance to manage because it’s a personal routine you have to design for yourself. I haven’t quite figured out if mine works best for me yet.
Btw, you doing NaNoWriMo this year?
No NaNo for me this year. Instead I’m working my arse off on Weathermen. The third complete rewrite!
(Hi! I clicked over from Whateveresque!)
I tried Nano this year, but it’s too hard to fit it in with college so I’m just blogging and writing random poetry in my spare time. Sometimes I start a poem while I’m on a long run and finish it on my blog. Whenever something makes me really happy, I blog it. Next semester, I have deliberately taken three English classes, so I will have to write a lot, no excuses!!!
Best of luck on Weathermen!