As I've said in previous posts, August is our "new year". I work in the schools, and our three daughters attend school, so August is filled with saying goodbye to the routine, or lack thereof, of a lazy, self-centered summer and hello to the demands of work! school! teachers! extracurricular activities!
Each summer, I feel as though I separate from one career and fully embrace another. The writing might have been filed under "extracurricular" activities at one point in my life, but now I treat it with a great deal more respect and commitment. My children and my husband still come first, but then they take precedence over the "paying" job as well.
The transition back is always bumpy the first week, but I do try a few tricks to ease myself back into the fray. Keeping my writing desk clear of school papers, household bills and other paraphernalia helps. So does a stash of dark chocolate M&M's. *g*
So how do you balance your writing with your other responsibilities? Do you use any special routines to switch gears from caretaker, employee, chauffeur, jack-of-all-trades, to focused writer? Do you need a few minutes to let the story come back to you, or can you flick it "on" in an instant? Do Tell! :)
9 comments:
I find it easier to write when I have a daily routine. Over the summer I'm a huge slacker.So it's good when I head back to school even though I dread it a little every year.
What is this balance of which you speak? It sounds like a nice concept but I've never managed it.
This summer feels worse than usual. Getting my daughter to her dad at the end of the school year, getting ready for a writing retreat at the end of June, getting ready for Nationals at the end of June, and now getting ready for my daughter to come home at the end of August. I'm always getting ready for something!
Seriously, would someone let me off this ride? LOL! I have dreams of life reaching some kind of *balance* after I finish college next year. There will still be the day job and the kiddo, but one less thing to do sounds very good right now.
Gee, I didn't mean to rant like that. Sorry about spewing all that on your blog. LOL!
That was Nationals in JULY. Dang fingers and brain aren't speaking today...
I go back on the 25th, and I am dreading it. I've been writing so much every day all day I'll have to channel it in a different way. I'm even antsy because we're going away next weekend and have to remind myself it's more important to spend time with my family than write, LOL.
Hi Kelly! Routines are good; it's just the transition from one routine to the other that bites. ;)
Terrio, you didn't have much of a break at all, just go, go go! College being over will make a big difference in your life. And it's something to be so proud of, as well!
Maggie, I have to remind myself of the same thing. (blush)
I have no way to switch between jobs, I'm sorry to say. I write when I can, reciting the "vomit now; fix later" mantra. No routines or anything just "write quick before the baby wakes up/I have to go to bed."
I remember that new school year feel. Best wishes, Gillian.
But that seems to be working well for you, Marnee Jo! :) I kind of like the "fixing" part myself.
Gillian, it would be nice if I had time to switch hats (or take a deep breath) before taking up the reins of the different roles I play, but that never happens. I have to morph on the fly.
I have found that reading what I've already written helps to rekindle the spark and usually brings forth a slew of new ideas.
And, here it is the first day of school (for us) and we've already fallen back into the familiar routine of years past. Thank God, I seem to operate so much better on routine.
Hi Terry Jo!:)
I am living at this point for a bit of routine as well. We are trying to make a new one, it just gets harder and harder with each kiddo at a different school this year. But it's only one year.
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