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Finding Time #IWSG

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Loni Townsend

I had to chuckle to myself. One of those miserable, self-deprecating laughs. The Insecure Writer’s Support Group has a monthly question. Today’s Question: How do you find the time to write in your busy day?

Lately, I haven’t (thus the laugh). I get 10 words here and there, but my calendar is packed with all the other things vying for my attention. You know, like my children. Sheesh. Normally, I’ll spend my lunch hammering out about 200 words. That’s been difficult these past few weeks, since I’ve had to take time off and rearrange my schedule to get my son into early childhood development observation, arrange for well-child check-ups, and do all that other Mama stuff that comes with having kids.

Since handing off my children isn’t an option, and Mother comes before Writer in my tagline, I hope I can gain forgiveness from my peers for my failings.

In the calm times—those weeks where I don’t have to take time off of work to take care of life—I’ve got a system. Lunch hits. I stand up, walk around the campus for 15 minutes, and spend the remaining 45 writing. That’s it. Once I’m home, there’s no time for writing. Every moment (whether I’m awake or not) is interrupted with a constant request for my attention. This leaves me with a precious 3 hours and 45 minutes a week to get any writing done.

It hasn’t been calm lately.

My schedule is packed for September. Hopefully October fares better.

What takes up your time? Is this a busy month for you?

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You can find the sign up for the IWSG here. We owe Alex J Cavanaugh a huge thank you for thinking this blog hop up.

32 thoughts on “Finding Time #IWSG”

  1. Madeline Mora-Summonte says:
    September 7, 2016 at 8:50 AM

    It sounds like you’ve got a system that works for you, and that’s what counts. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  2. Southpaw HR Sinclair says:
    September 7, 2016 at 9:04 AM

    It barely registered the September was here. August kept me busy. Maybe things will calm down as the month goes on for both of us. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  3. Jennifer L. Hawes says:
    September 7, 2016 at 9:44 AM

    You gotta do what you can do when the kids are around. Don’t apologize:) It’s good to hear other moms who struggle with writing time!

    Reply
  4. Misha says:
    September 7, 2016 at 9:45 AM

    I’m trying to get into a head space where I can write again, which started with me making writing time. I hope October calms down for you. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  5. Anna says:
    September 7, 2016 at 9:56 AM

    I love your usual schedule and I’d be doing exactly what you’re doing. Family first. Kids grow up and won’t be put on the back burner, but writing is always there. Things will settle down. They always do. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Anna from elements of emaginette

    Reply
  6. Jacqui Murray says:
    September 7, 2016 at 10:10 AM

    You have your priorities right, Loni. Writing will always be there, Kids grow up.

    Reply
  7. Alex J. Cavanaugh says:
    September 7, 2016 at 11:04 AM

    I don’t know how people with kids do it. But you found a way before, you will find it again. Since you can’t lock the kids in a closet, enjoy time with them when they need you.

    Reply
  8. Sarah says:
    September 7, 2016 at 11:10 AM

    This: “Every moment (whether Iโ€™m awake or not) is interrupted with a constant request for my attention.” Yup. That leaves me writing at midnight or later. And August/September is THE WORST with back-to-school crap. I don’t care what anyone says, there is no time in the day while trying to manage a family, work, etc. (especially if you add your online responsibilities…I’ve been a slacker there).

    Reply
  9. Nissa Annakindt says:
    September 7, 2016 at 11:33 AM

    I’m glad my ‘children’ are kittens. When I want to get some writing work done, I dump the most annoying kittens out onto the porch until I get done. Two of the kittens, Simon and Theodore, love going on the porch anyway, and the other two, Eleanor and Alvin, are OK with it but so far haven’t gone out on their own.

    Reply
  10. Lori L. MacLaughlin says:
    September 7, 2016 at 11:37 AM

    I had that chuckle, too. Writing time, more often than not, just doesn’t exist. I hope things slow down and smooth out for you soon!
    IWSG Co-host at http://lorilmaclaughlin.com

    Reply
  11. J.C. Jackson says:
    September 7, 2016 at 12:24 PM

    Here’s to hoping things slow down so you can get some time in for other things. If it makes you feel better, I’m finding myself in the same boat this year.

    Reply
  12. Carol Kilgore says:
    September 7, 2016 at 1:43 PM

    Family first. You’re doing great!

    Reply
  13. Juneta says:
    September 7, 2016 at 2:08 PM

    Having a system works. I think my biggest problem is lack of structure in my writing habits. I did better when I was working full time and had to find time to squeeze it in. Go figure.
    Juneta @ Writer’s Gambit

    Reply
    1. Rebecca Douglass says:
      September 10, 2016 at 10:24 PM

      I think that totally makes sense! When you are really busy, you make a schedule and know you have to keep to it. But when there’s lots of unscheduled time, it’s easy to think there’ll be plenty of time…later.

      Reply
  14. CD Gallant-King says:
    September 7, 2016 at 2:38 PM

    Yup, as stuff picks up with kids, time for other things goes out the window. But it’s all cyclical – it’s busy now, but one day you will find time again.

    And sounds like you have a pretty good system anyway, so stick with it! Yay, you!

    Reply
  15. Sarah Foster says:
    September 7, 2016 at 3:58 PM

    It’s hard to get writing done when there are other things keeping you busy!! I don’t think anyone would blame you for that. I’ve been super busy lately so I haven’t gotten any writing done. Hopefully that will change when things calm down.

    Reply
  16. Olga Godim says:
    September 7, 2016 at 5:58 PM

    Mama stuff comes first, no contest, but I like your system of writing during the lunch hour. When do you eat?

    Reply
  17. C.G.Coppola says:
    September 7, 2016 at 6:22 PM

    Geez, Loni, that’s not a lot of time at all. But you’re doing it. And yeah, I agree with Olga – when DO you eat?

    Reply
  18. Roland Clarke says:
    September 8, 2016 at 6:46 AM

    Totally admire the way that you juggle things AND prioritise family. Stay with the system.

    Reply
  19. Erika Beebe says:
    September 8, 2016 at 7:11 AM

    I am right there with you Loni. Between baseball practice for my son, dance and homework for my daughter, I can barely catch my breath but I am trying. Thinking of you and hoping life calms down soon ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  20. Sherry Ellis says:
    September 8, 2016 at 7:18 AM

    Yep. Children are real time suckers. I think it’s a matter of finding fifteen minutes where you can just dedicate your time to writing. It should be the same time, every day, so it becomes a habit.

    Reply
  21. Claire says:
    September 8, 2016 at 8:56 AM

    Have you ever tried dictating? It’s not worked for me (I feel a plonker, and can’t think the same way when I can’t see the text in front of me), but I know some writers who swear by it, especially as they can get it done while pottering around the house or driving…

    Reply
  22. Julie Flanders says:
    September 8, 2016 at 1:32 PM

    I hope October will be a calmer time for you. I admire your discipline with your writing time at work!

    Reply
  23. Pat Garcia says:
    September 9, 2016 at 8:28 AM

    You don’t need to ask for forgiveness. Every minute that you write count even if it is fifteen minutes a week. The main thing is that when you have the time you do it. And yes, mothering the future generation comes first.

    So hang in there Kiddo. You are moving in the right direction.
    All the best.
    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat Garcia

    Reply
  24. M.J. Fifield says:
    September 9, 2016 at 10:49 AM

    I hardly think you’re failing, so there’s no need to ask for forgiveness. Family should come first.

    Here’s hoping October is a calmer time for you!

    Reply
  25. Crystal Collier says:
    September 10, 2016 at 10:34 AM

    I hear you. It’s insanity! But that could just be because I have another book release in less than 2 months. Of course, being remanded to just one car for 1.5 months didn’t help, nor did getting my son in a new school with no buses 20 minutes away, nor having to take the other son to college regularly or drop & pick up the hubby at work. *shrugs* Still, I WROTE, every day. The house never got cleaned though. I’m so happy to have a “normal routine” again. Much more productive.

    Reply
  26. Rebecca Douglass says:
    September 10, 2016 at 10:21 PM

    Small children will eat up all your time. I admire anyone who gets any writing done in any given week when their children are under about 12. I know I mostly didn’t! (Such an amazing thing now, to have kids almost grown and half gone!).
    My IWSG Post

    Reply
  27. Mason T. Matchak says:
    September 11, 2016 at 7:30 PM

    Gah. >_< Hope you do find the time for more writing soon, though I'm glad you can find a little bit now and then. My September is quite busy but it's all for vacation stuff and one of those vacations is a writing workshop, so I really can't complain, even if I do feel a bit overwhelmed.

    Reply
  28. Arlee Bird says:
    September 16, 2016 at 8:58 AM

    You do have your hands full. I don’t have any of that and still can’t seem to find the time to write much.

    Maybe you can write a book: Writing Your Novel 10 Words at a Time”.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    Reply
  29. Chrys Fey says:
    September 16, 2016 at 2:49 PM

    At least you got a chuckle out of the question. ๐Ÿ˜‰ I hope you have calm days soon.

    Reply
  30. Nicola says:
    September 21, 2016 at 2:53 AM

    I love your energy, Loni. Wishing you more peace and calm in the weeks to come. Keep that great sense of humour – it’ll get you through all those chaotic times.

    Reply
  31. joylene says:
    October 6, 2016 at 4:32 PM

    Kids grow up way too fast; get in the time you can, Loni. Honestly, I still can’t believe how fast the time went. I remember my mother saying that, and me thinking What! Time is slow! Not.

    Your humour is wonderful!

    Reply

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Welcome to my blog. I post here on Wednesdays most of the time, but you can find me on social media any day of the week. My topics include my stories and writing, life at the Town's End, creating and tinkering with graphics, things I learn and think might be helpful to others, and the occasional amateur photo. Thanks for stopping by! I hope to see you around.

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