On finding time

The recent weeks have been a complete loss when it comes to writing.  Which is hardly surprising given recent events, and when you also factor in the inevitable physical reaction I have had to said evens (hello, flare).

I’m finding it very frustrating.  I’ve been working on outlining, which is something, but it’s not writing.  In addition to everything else, the baby has decided to have a complete regression when it comes to sleep and feeding.  Which has resulted in something like 4-6 wakings every night, and very, very tired parents.  And unlike some, I can’t work at all when I’m sleep deprived.  Even caffeine doesn’t help much.

I’m trying to start redefining my schedule, at least.  Which means sitting down to the laptop and working on something at my regular time (which is, for me, an hour or two that I get during the day when a family member watches the baby for me).  I’m finding myself wasting this time lately, a habit that I need to break.

I’ve been poking about online looking at some articles on how people balance children and writing (see here and here for two great examples).  While some articles are really helpful, they’re also frustrating for me to read right now, because they all assume that your kid actually sleeps like a human being.  It probably wouldn’t be so bad if the baby had never slept well, but I know that he’s capable of it.  We had a string of nights where he slept for 11-12 hours solid.  I miss those nights.

Anyway.  What it comes down to, really, is me making writing a priority.  I’m limited in the time and energy I have, thanks to the baby and health issues.  And I need to accept that some days will be losses, where I’m just too tired to do anything creative.  But on those days, at least, I can read and study my craft.

I can do this.  Even a hundred words a day builds up to a novel eventually.

Mirrored from Stephanie Gunn.