If I write everyday I won't be doing my dishes or cleaning the bathroom before I start.
I teach piano by 8:15 am most mornings. I know, who made that crazy schedule? My writing time is 7:00-8:00am with some stopovers during the day when I have a break. So, I will be unable to wash the breakfast dishes or clean the bathroom before the students come. This urgency to use my limited time makes my writing experience a bit clandestine, even a bit secretive. My family never reads my blog so I write for an audience that is largely unknown. What I know of you, dear reader, is what you choose to reveal and what you know of me is limited to what feels true today.
Limits are both good and bad. For me choosing from a smaller amount of alternatives has helped me be more decisive. I love Five Minute Friday for that reason. Writing a few good paragraphs is a challenge. Of course, some days I long for just another hour to develop my ideas. My writing will happen in small chunks. Planning will be the key and that can be done in my head even while I do dishes or should I say it? It can be done even when I'm listening to a little musician play her scales.
I am so grateful for this writing group and the book by Ann and Charity. Many more skills are in my back pocket. Thank-you so much to those who have made helpful and positive comments. I know you in a more personal way. Let's keep going and popping in on each other's blog.
I am joining fellow writers on Kate Motaung's blog who are doing a bi-weekly online discussion group.We are using On Being a Writer: 12 Simple Habits For A Writing Life That Lasts by Ann Kroeker and Charity Singleton Craig. I am personally reading Writing Down The Bones by Natalie Goldberg as inspiration.
I will be writing 31 days in October and my topics will be things I'm learning from the book Rising Strong by Brené Brown. Making this statement is starting the butterflies in my brain.
It's interesting how schedules can actually be freeing. I find routine very much that way. I've also enjoyed this group and peeking in on each others perspective on the prompts. It's definitely a good learning method for me. I'm also looking forward to your subject in write31days so you haven't seen the last of me! :)
ReplyDeleteYay, Debbie! I'll be by to see how your work is going.
DeleteGreat post! I like Five Minute Friday for that reason too. And yes let's pop into each other's blogs from time to time too!
ReplyDeleteOkay, Tara. Let's!
DeleteI agree, limits can be helpful. Having a deadline, or having a fixed topic like Five Minute Fridays can help me be more decisive and actually write something. I've really enjoyed your input to this discussion, and I'm interested to read about your Write 31 Days topic too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carly, I'll be visiting that large and spacious world of yours.
DeleteI only went "public" with family and friends on my blog within the last year. There are benefits and hindrances to it. I've always wanted my hubby to read because he's got to love me, lol. But the others...not so much. And 8:15 piano lessons are just plain crazy hahaha. But it does limit your writing time for sure. I love FMF for the very reason of limits too, even if I don't stick to 5 minutes, I've still limited my time, and ideas. Definitely will be popping in from time to time!
ReplyDeleteYour writing is very fun Christy, or is it Kristy? I get confused.
DeleteYou could write an entire book in little chunks if you commit yourself to it (I don't mean that you need to write a book--only to agree with you that wise use of limited time can be effective)! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope your 31 Days of Rising Strong goes great!
Thank-you, Ann. Your book will be a great reference in the ongoing writing life.
DeleteLove your idea of planning to use your time in the most effective way being freeing. [I think, actually, I'd also just come to that conclusion myself but hadn't 'voiced' it yet]....I just very recently realised that was looking at my free time all wrong, for example: bemoaning the fact that I 'only' have an hour or so to write when, actually, I should be saying 'Yay! I have an hour to write! What can I do with this gift of an hour?'...since I started to look at it like this, it's kind of given me a boost of creativity as it's made me want to be more creative - rather like looking in the cupboards and realising there's only odds and ends for dinner and, wow, this'll be a challenge, what CAN I make for dinner! It's been freeing, definitely. [Reinforcing my belief that, absolutely, our thoughts control everything and by changing our thoughts, we change our reality]. Loved this post of yours, just loved it. Thank you. [Especially loved the line, 'what you know of me is limited to what feels true today']. Very much looking forward to your 31 Days series....Helen xxx
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