How Not to Get Work Done…

kids, no time, Random, writing

IMG_3005It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything but short stories, and even those are few and far between at the moment. For this, I apologize. The Christmas holiday was quite busy, and this month is just an extension of that busyness, what with birthdays, vet appointments, car appointments (yes, we’ve had to take the car in 4 times to fix the same thing because of recalled parts), and, primarily, having a two year old.

Anyone who has or has had young kids knows how hard it is to get anything done with just one let alone many. Thank goodness it’s just one. But this one child of mine has the energy of five kids, I swear, so my writing/editing time is pretty-much gone. It was nice when she was a baby and just slept in the swing, or quietly played with her toys in one spot. But now she’s a whirlwind, a Tasmanian Devil, leaving mess and destruction in her wake.

I used to treasure nap time, usually 1pm-3pm or, if I was lucky, even 4pm. Now, I’m lucky if she sleeps half an hour. The rest of the time, she’s banging on her door, crying, what have you, and that is not conducive to writing. My office is in the kitchen (house is just not big enough for my own private room – can’t wait to build my future dream house), so regular traffic coming through, no privacy, no peace, no quiet. Especially when dear husband is home.

And, honestly, when it comes to these short story prompts from Terrible Minds, which I generally love, it’s hard to think of cool/scary ideas when I’m picking up Lucky Charms, pencil crayons, batteries, pillow fluff, weight bars, and other miscellaneous items off the floor in the disaster zone, or when I’m arm deep in dirty diapers. Oh, and I guess there’s
house cleaning on top of that. Ha. Ha. Ha. I can’t find my couch.

So. I look forward to hubby’s upcoming day shifts, and the 1/2 hour in the afternoons during Zoe’s nap that I may get time to write. But most writers know that 1/2 hour is just not long enough to even get into it. I myself have to reread what I wrote or edited the day (or in my case weeks) prior, which usually involves a bit more editing of THAT. By the time I get to new stuff, the kid’s woken up. So I’m never really getting ahead. Then, I miss a few days, and I have to go back and read a few chapters, because I have to ‘get into the mood’. From there it’s just a sick cycle of repetition.

So, while I am still here, around, reading other people’s blogs and stories, and books, (which I don’t find I need as intense of concentration to do), I’m just struggling to find some proper quiet time to write. I’m a morning person, not a night person, so don’t mention 8pm or 2am starts to me. My brain’s already shut down by then.

This just means that I’m going to have to bust my butt harder to make sure I follow through with this June 2012 deadline for Exposing Dallas’s release.

So, worry not, dear fans. I’m sure I’ll figure out a suitable plan. As I write this, Zoe is dancing around with a blanket beside me, trying to grab me so that I will dance with her. So, off I go. Have a wonderful day.

2 thoughts on “How Not to Get Work Done…

  1. Ah so sweet she wants her Mom to dance too.
    Is there another mother in your area with a child similar age that maybe you guys could have one play date each a week? It would free up one paltry afternoon which isnt much but a cheap suggestion for 'free' babysitting. I hope you make your June 2012 deadline.

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