WHAT IS THE SECRET TO KEEPING UP?

[KATHLEEN GRIEVE]

Ok, so all you writers out there who have "S" etched into your chests, I have a question for you. How do you keep up? I mean, between the launch of my book, trying to finish my current wip, get its sequal's GMC completed, preparing at least 5 book proposals, my regular job, my family....UGH! I feel like I'm drowning.

I've tried keeping a schedule, but I work 12 hour night shifts, try to sleep during the day, and it just isn't working. I think because my schedule is so irregular, I'm lagging behind. There simply just isn't enough hours in a day.

Any tips?

Kathleen Grieve
Author of Fun & Sexy Medical Romances
www.kathleengrieve.com
THE DOCTOR'S DECEPTION now available at www.thewildrosepress.com

[LuAnn Morgan]

You have to set aside a specific time each day and say, "This is when I'm going to write." Don't answer the phone, don't get up from your chair to do dishes, etc. It can be one hour or more, but one is the minimum. During that time, family (especially hubby) needs to abide by the main rule of "DO NOT DISTURB" unless there is blood spurting from a dismembered limb! The first step is to take a pot of tea with you, shut the door and (since it's summer) turn on a fan to keep cool and to block out background noise. Even if you only end up writing one paragraph during the alloted time, you have still accomplished something.

[KATHLEEN GRIEVE]

LuAnn,

You are so right! Thank goodness, my husband takes care of all the household stuff and most of the kid stuff. Tonight I skulked off to Star Bucks and set up my blog posts for the next two weeks. WHEW! One less thing to worry about! :)

My problem is that I can't just sit down to write for an hour or two. I get sucked into my story! LOL. Which is not entirely a bad thing.

Kathleen

[LuAnn Morgan]

No, you're right, that's not a bad thing. Unless, of course, it slows you down to the point where you keep rereading what you've already written.
You may have to set a goal of so many pages rather than a period of time. Keep working at it!

[KATHLEEN GRIEVE]

I will. Eight chapters til completion....I can almost taste it!

Kathleen

[KATHLEEN GRIEVE]

Thanks, Z. I'll play with it and see if I can get it to work out.
Kathleen

[KATHLEEN GRIEVE]

Thanks, Z! I appreciate the support.

Kathleen

[KATHLEEN GRIEVE]

Great advice, TJ. I did get two weeks work of blog posts set up! I thought that would be easier. Got 3 of the 5 proposals I wanted written down...but the list idea makes sense. I do plan and organize...I do have my goals mapped out. I'll work on that tonight when I have downtime at work. I'm glad I asked the question...Excellent feedback and support. I appreciate it.

Kathleen

[K.A. M'Lady]

Hi Kathleen! Boy, do I feel your pain... I too work full time, do all the books for my dh's business, take care of the family, and try to squeeze in the writing, the marketing and the down time - sometimes you wonder what your name is and where you left your brain. But - there is that one hour of my lunch that is mine where the "other side" of my brain gets to lose itself in my imagination. No numbers to crunch - no family needing me - no faxing, client's to call, etc. Just the writing. And you'd be surprised what you can accomplish in an hour a day. I managed to write 5 books last year. 4 novellas and part 2 of a sequel. Then on the weekends when the children sequester themselves in front of the xbox and the dh crashes in front of some sport for an hour - there's my next hour. I think it's just a matter of saying - this is my moment - everyone has to leave me be for this specific time frame - lock the door for 1 hour or two or more - whatever you can squeeze in and when your time is up then put back on the mom hat and all of the other hats we manage to wear.

All my best ~

K.A. M'Lady

Fantasy Romance Kissed With Dark Sensuality
Find Your Realm of Possibilities
www.geocities.com/mladyfair12

[Chris Redding]

It's called the "Bleeding or on fire" rule in my house.
You don't disturb me unless you are bleeding or on fire.
My kids learned that at a very young age. I don't use it all the time.
cmr

[KATHLEEN GRIEVE]

Well, now that school starts on MONDAY!!!! YES! I will have the days to myself. I just have to squeeze a little shut eye in after working all night. But having the kids in school, ought to help tremendously!

Thanks everyone for all your great suggestions!
Kathleen

[Renee Knowles]

I totally agree with you, Kathleen! I think it's all about scheduling. Trying to find those pockets of time when you can work on your writing. Also, lists and calendars are my friend :)

Renee

[ann campbell]

I am not a great one to give advice. I left my corp job when our son was diagnosed with Autism. we have a 15 month old baby girl. So between the 2 of them, I stay very busy. I usually write when they are in bed and hubby is in bed. I find that I have trouble working with the distractions of the 3 of them. I would love to have 5-6 hours a day to do nothing but work on my WIP's, but lets face it. Kids and Husbands go through a lot of clothes that need to be washed and dirty a lot of dishes and any area of the house they can get to. *sigh* one of these days, maybe, I will have the time to dedicate like I want, but not now