Tuesday, May 10, 2011

FAQ - How Do You Find the Time?


Q: How do you find the time to write?
A: I know, I answered this one back in January. But as I struggle to reclaim the garden from weeds (the pictures are blueberries I've been spending some up close and personal time with) and research the next book, I realize that something is going to have to give.

  Beginning Thursday, I have two weeks to turn in a six thousand word (more or less) chapter in a group novel.  The first three chapters will have been completed by three other writers from the region -- when the book's completed, there'll be twelve chapters in all. That's all I can tell you now -- but this is gong to be a fun and exciting project.

And then I have to really buckle down to my next book.



I'm not going to stop blogging -- but I'm going to reduce the time I spend at it.  I plan to make every other day a 'wordless ' post -- just pictures.  And I invite you not to comment on these  because on those days, I won't be visiting other blogs and commenting.  That's where all the time goes, I'm afraid.

Oh, I'll still be checking in to see what you're up to -- just not everyday. And I hope you check on me too.

I may even try getting up at dark thirty to write.  After working in the sun much of the day, I'm finding myself falling asleep over the keyboard.  


We'll see how it goes ...
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16 comments:

AM said...

really beautiful pictures. best wishes for a splendid outcome of your project :)

Anonymous said...

I feel so much better knowing that even you must prioritize your time! Here we are, in what are reputed to be the time to sitting on the porch, rocking, knitting, chatting, but instead having lives still full of creativity and growth! Times have changed, it seems.
Deana the Queena

NCmountainwoman said...

Good luck. Somehow I envisioned you as one of those writers who works late into the night rather than rising before the sun in the morning. Group novel sounds fascinating.

Christine said...

Sounds like a great plan to me Vicki! There are never enough hours in the day.

Brian Miller said...

smiles. this does sound like a fun project....read a novel called watchlist not too long ago, same premise about 26 writers....

have fun with it...

Vicki Lane said...

Mountainwoman -- I AM a night writer by nature. But a day in the garden tend to make me want to go to sleep around nine...

Deanna said...

Time does have a way of slipping away when in blog land.

It is time, though, to enjoy the outdoors and take care of business - and that is what you are doing.

Good luck with your current undertaking and I'll be watching you!

Elora said...

Good decision, Vicki. (IMHO) I am "there" now...having cut way back on my blogging, the comments on comments, and comments on others' blogs. Just cannot do it all, esp. this time of year. So, I am on a hit 'n miss schedule that's...well...not a schedule at all. Back to the "Round Tuit" basis. For awhile there, I'd felt as if I were standing over an ever-widening canyon, one foot on either side, and it just wasn't working. So, I quietly backed off a little; now, having pared things down, I am back to being true to myself.

Thanks for being an example of how to live the good life and love every minute!

Elora

Jill said...

Life does tend to become very busy when gardening is involved...not to mention harvest time! I can't imagine writing a book in between. Good luck on your writing!

Tammy said...

While I'll miss your 'worded' posts, I sure know where you are coming from. I love visiting blogs, but that in itself becomes such a huge time consumer and leaving comments even more so. And this time of year--mercy it's a struggle getting in everything required for a day. Most of it needs doing yesterday! I find myself dozing off by nine too. Anyway, hope this works for you and we will all enjoy your lovely pictures.
Tammy

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Your "dark thirty" made me think of my dad. It was a phrase he used often.

Good luck with all that's ahead for you. I don't know how you find the time to do the things you do as it is. The wordless days sound like a very practical and beautiful solution.
Sam

Merisi said...

Most of my days are spent writing these days, with very tight deadlines (I am not complaining, it helps a lot to have them). I am empathize with you, working all day in the garden is exhausting, I would have to turn my schedules an their head like you, i.e. write in the morning. I hope you manage enough sleep to keep you from sheer exhaustion! Good luck!

Regarding blogging, I have had to cut back on commenting other blogs as well. I still visit my blog friends, like a quick silent hello over the fence. I wished there were a way to to communicate "hello, I have been here, been inspired by you, smiled, left feeling good about you feeling well, etc." - I feel myself so often inspired by the comments left by friends and readers, I do feel bad about not commenting - but I know and understand about the necessity to manage one's time. Still, the thought and gratitude towards those who encouraged me so much to continue what I was first only tinkering with, it makes me feel a little frustrated when I have to curtail my blog rounds.

Just a few thoughts, unedited.

I wish you good cheer and energy and may everything you set out to do succeed,
warm greetings,
Merisi

Martin said...

Your gardening, my grandchildren. At the end of a long day, it's fatal for me to sit in a comfy seat. I'm gone in minutes.

Good luck with the 'group' novel. I'll be calling by, daily, in any case.

Unknown said...

That sounds exciting.. a group novel. I'll certainly be keeping tabs on your blog.. your pics are wonderful too.

Kathryn Stripling Byer said...

Hi Vicki,
I'm wondering if I really want to begin blogging again, aside from my Poets' features. There's fun and satisfaction in creating a daily blog, but I no longer have time, especially with the garden coming in and a poetry ms. I'll have to get in final shape for the publisher soon. Not to mention the notebooks of drafts, boxes of drafts, closets to be cleaned out, dust to be.....well, you know what I mean!
To be honest, I gave up visiting your blog because it made me feel inadequate!!!!

marĂ­a cecilia said...

take care Vicki, don´t push yourself to the limits of falling asleep over your typewriter, did you say typewriter???
hugs dear