I celebrated the launch of a second print book (a co-authored work-for-hire piece) after releasing a self-published Untrained Housewife Guide to Getting Prepared earlier in the year and Backyard Farming last December. Three books since Vivian was born 20 months ago. That’s a lot. After a long writing session during those months, playing games like νμΉ΄μ§λ
Έ can provide a much-needed break and help recharge creative energy. It offers a fun and engaging escape, allowing for relaxation and stress relief.
A friend made a joking comment mentioning how she didn’t know where I found the time – she barely got a chance to shower every day. And I jokingly said that I didn’t shower every day but I DID write every day.
And that was the end of the exchange but I thought about it a lot after that little Facebook quip. It’s actually true.
There are two kinds of writers. There are someday writers who say they want to write but their level of excuse-making is higher than their resolve or desire to be a writer. Then there are the writers. The writers who write.
Writers who give up showering time to put pen to paper. Writers who buy steno pads in bulk at Sam’s Club so they always have one handy whenever one is needed. Writers who feed their creative souls so their muse has something to say. Writers who write even on the days when she’s silent and the feel like babbling idiots.
I’m not a professional shower-taker. I’m a professional writer. So hell or high-water I write.
Right?
I’m a pajama writer. I’ll stay in my pajamas until one in the afternoon sometimes just to make sure I get my writing done. I wake up at midnight on occassion realizing I haven’t written my promised 750 words that day and sit up in the dark, writing. Writing is more important! Thanks for the affirmation–sometimes I feel guilty and it’s nice to know other writers live this way, too! (By the way, my name is Darla Sue Dollman, but the autofill won’t allow me to correct the problem.)
750 words is a great goal. I probably don’t meet that every day…some days it’s analogue in my journal but it is SOMETHING. too many words and ideas…not enough time. π
I write everyday. Steno books and mechanical pencils are bought in bulk, sometimes I receive them as gift!lol
The number of words I write day to day is uneven but the habit of putting pencil to paper or fingers to keyboard is ingrained as washing my face and brushing my teeth and taking my dog outside, notwithstanding my pajama-wear.
I remember in high school, I was that girl with the notebook. Always scribbling. Writing notes, poems, stories, details, fun words, quotes. I felt like I had to get it all down on paper so it wasn’t lost forever. I lost that girl along the way somehow. Writing took a backseat to all the other commotion in my life. I’m so happy that I’m taking the baby steps back to getting my thoughts and ideas down on paper (or screen *wink*) so that they don’t escape me forever. I’ll definitely make it a point to write something every day. Thanks Angela.
That was me too, when we had ‘required’ writing time. I was always still writing while the teacher moved on to other things. I couldn’t put my pen down. I got great grades on it, but got in trouble for not paying attention in class. I’m still having the same problem of multitasking and prioritizing. I hope I figure it out someday.
Right!
Except for the pad and pen part. Even if I jotted down notes, they’d do me no good. I can’t (neither can anyone else) read my handwriting. I learned to type over 100wpm for a reason, and it wasn’t because it was required in high school and college!
Love and stuff,
Michy
I type fast too and use notebooks less now that I have an iPhone I can connect to Evernote.
Yes. Yes. Yes. All of the above. Writer’s write. Every. Single. Day.
“Like”
I don’t have kids yet, but I’m always thinking, ‘Ah! How am I going to do all this when I have a baby?’ But then I know myself well enough to know that I’ll do it, because I always do it, and I always have done it, and it’s never gone away yet.
So yes. I write every day too.
I love it! Kids are just an excuse- not a reason. π We still make time for what we WANT to make time for. I love that you are writing every day also. Even if it doesn’t see the light of day, you see it. It shapes you. I love that about writing.
i admire you for all the writing you do. You and your yellow notepads are so cute. Thanks for sharing your must read. Hope to see you MOnday!!!
Hear hear! Well put, Angela π There’s a joke that I was born with a pencil behind my ear. I’m 60 and still going strong! My style has changed over the years…when I was raising kids I did a lot of “writing” in my mind until I could get it on paper or computer. Nowadays I may be in the chicken coop or the garden when inspiration hits. But you’re right, when ya gotta write, ya gotta write! And congrats for writing three books with a toddler!
I don’t write every day but I DO commit my weekends to writing. There are too many other important things that take up my time during the week, and by night I am pooped, but my weekend is my time to shine. π I think consistency is the key more than anything else.
I write every day. Organizing my writing and the volume and variety is my challenge at the moment. Overwhelming prospect. And hoping to go forward in a more organized manner… but not one hundred percent clear on how yet.