Writing is Tough Work
A friend recently asked me: What is your writing day like? Here’s my answer:
I sit down at my beautiful new all-in-one touchscreen computer around 8:30 a.m.
Oops, forgot my coffee, so I go back to kitchen for a fresh cup. Back at the computer, I first:
Check emails, Facebook messages, Twitter messages, LinkedIn messages
Respond to emails, FB, Twitter and LI messages.
Check my web dashboard to see number of hits and/or comments from the previous day. Oh, I sometimes take a peek at Goodreads as well.
Check my calendar to see if today is blog writing day. Whew, not yet.
Now my coffee is cold. Back to the kitchen.
On the way, I stop and pet my dogs who are taking their morning nap.
Okay, back at the computer, I now open the latest draft of my book, stare at the page I left off and drink my java. A chirping sound goes off. Ahh, a text message. I check my cell, realize there are several messages to respond to, one of which is a reminder that I have a Board meeting the next day. Yikes. Need to get ready for that since I’m the Board President.
An hour later, back staring at the draft of my book when a gmail comes in. It’s regarding a court report I submitted on my CASA boy. (I’m a court-appointed special advocate for foster youth.) A few questions to answer there.
Back to my book. Now my dogs have gotten into their toy basket and yanked out their stuffy toys. They are both staring at me with scruffy dogs hanging out of their mouths. I get down on the floor and roll around with them for a while – to lower my blood pressure, of course.
Now, while I’m up and away from my computer, it’s probably time for a bit of stretching. Yoga, perfect. Just forty minutes will do.
Finally, back staring at the last paragraph of my book, which, by the way, I’ve read nine times now and have to read again. This time my brain is in gear and I try to concentrate. Argh. I’m stuck. I riffle through my files and hunt for my outline for inspiration. Yesss. I start to type and type and type. One paragraph, two, then a page, then two. I’m on a roll. I stop, re-read, re-write, re-read and re-write, until I have one solid page I’m pleased with (until I re-read it again tomorrow.)
Hurrah.
It’s time for lunch. With the friend who asked what my writing day is like.
Thanks for the description. It sounds familiar… While I play the waiting game on my historical romance, I decided to treat my writing as a real job for once…. Guess I’m doing a good job then. LOL.
Olivia, this blog may be tongue-in-cheek but writing is a real job, and it’s tough! Thanks for your comment.
Lynne
Very familiar. Amazing how easily we are distracted from the tasks at hand. But once we hit the groove, everything else becomes second. And the friend? “Sorry, one must atke a rain-check when inspiration knocks”
I’ve given up lots of lunches when I’m into the story. Lots. But that’s a good thing. Thanks, Jeff.
Wow! If I didn’t know better, I’d swear you had been watching me with an eye in the sky. But, all kidding aside, my day isn’t very much different from yours. Oh, sure, there are those rare times when I get up nice and early, slip downstairs to my basement office and begin churning out page after page…but those are few and far between. Just now, I am in between one of the myriad looks at my stalled manuscript. If I get a paragraph in the bank today, I’ll be thrilled. Thank God there’s always tomorrow…
Hey Joe, isn’t it nice to know you’re not alone?
Giggles! This is sooo the day of an author. Except for when it isn’t. I think non-writers have no idea how different one day can be from another. Some days it’s the doggy-distraction; other days my husband turns on my office light because I haven’t noticed that it is pitch black in the room I’ve been so caught up in my story. Thanks for an entertaining break in my writing day. Back to it!
Glad you enjoyed!
It’s funny how every writer can relate to your day, Lynne. Blocking out distractions and getting down to some solid work seems to be my struggle, too. I swear I grew up with Attention Deficit long before it was formally identified as a syndrome. On the other hand, there’s nothing like slipping into the zone and coming back to reality a few hours later with several pages (as scrappy as they are) complete. Keep at it!
Ted, thanks for reading and commenting. Ha! ADHD is not new, only the terminology is. I’ll keep at it if you will! Lynne
You actually have a day scheduled to blog? Seriously, loved this post, and like so many others, the pleasant reminder that I’m not alone. I think those days when the words flow make it worthwhile … I think!
Hi Kathy,
I schedule a day to blog to keep me on track and to give my readers something to look forward to. Of course, with so many distractions, I hope I can keep to this schedule! Thanks for reading.
Lynne
You sound just like me. I have fought to ignore everything but writing until the afternoon. No emails, or social networking etc. It is a hard fight but I am, after months, winning the battle. Writing comes FIRST and we must MAKE IT so.
It’s afternoon somewhere in the world. Now look at me – on social media again! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Oh… this made me laugh!
I’m a professional freelance editor and writer… And today is the FIRST DAY I’ve sat down to the computer to get some work in…. The week started with NO WATER due to broken pipes. Then we ran out of propane, which runs the hot water and stove… And then my Mom’s planned move to Florida kicked off a marathon clean-out of their home and the requisite family drama that goes with a job that large connected to something as emotional as a parent’s move across country…
SO now it’s Friday night… and I’m JUST NOW sitting down to try to get 10 hours in before Sunday evening so I’ll have a paycheck and be able to eat next month. *sigh*
Got to love the writer’s life!
Hi Mary,
Well, at least I get to play with my dogs rather than fix the plumbing. I sympathize and empathize. Thanks for the comments!
Lynne