Be warned, I'm typing one-handed. Dread Pirate Baby likes to hang out with me, fighting sleep like it's his arch nemesis. This leads to very little time that I have two hands to do all the things that require two hands, like writing effectively or cooking or cleaning.
When I can get him to nap, I have an hour maybe. If I'm really lucky, two hours. But usually more like half an hour to an hour. Then I'm left with a sticky choice: What do I do with my little time?
You learn a lot about yourself when you have to prioritize so drastically. What means the most to you, what doesn't. Do I spend my hour writing or networking? Well, clearly I try to choose writing as often as I can, but I also feel bad for being so out of touch. The writing has to come first, and I'm making meager progress as it is. And then I have to choose even more specifically—do I catch up on Twitter or blog or chat with my Friday The Thirteeners peeps? Can't do it all.
Of course, some of those naps have to be given to my other kids, too. I spend two of my little nap breaks largely feeding the rest of my family or pets or plants. Maybe squeak in cleaning or, if lucky, a shower. I get one baby nap time that I can justify devoting to writing.
So what do you do when you have maybe an hour and you know it's not enough but it is what it is? Well, you work. You don't have time to fret, to doubt, to chat. You gotta get it done. Every minute spent wondering if it's right or if it sucks is time wasted. You can't be bitter about not having more. You can't let any of that get in the way. You just write and hope you can find more time someday.
This is how I've written 54 pages since Dread Pirate Baby was born 8 weeks ago. I am both proud of that number and wish it was more. But all I can do is keep going and make the most of it. just never forget that there is time. You can find it if you want.
So hard to prioritize sometimes. It's the same when you're working the day job. And you know you haven't interacted on social media in a while, and that's important AND easier, but the writing needs to be pretty close to the top if not the top of the priority list. I try to put the writing first, but when you're tired, chatting on twitter sounds more fun and less like work.
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing. That takes some strong will power.
ReplyDeleteI actually have the opposite problem right now. I'm in the between state of having just graduated college and not having a job yet, so I have nothing but time. Which naturally means I waste most of it being stressed out instead of getting things done. Sigh. Still, I've managed to write every day, so I'm pretty happy with that. I'm getting through my WIP bit by bit. :)
Aww, one-handed is not fun. I always liked using the baby Bjorn carrier because it kept my kid strapped to me and happy, but my hands completely free. I swear it was the only that kept my sanity sometimes. But I wasn't writing then either. 54 pages is awesome! You are right that you will find time if it's your priority. I never thought I could finish my new book in 3 months, but now it's finished and I'm left wondering how I did it and if I'll be able to do it again on the next book. But onto revisions for now. I miss you!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to get you a onehandedkeyboard.com aren't I?
ReplyDeleteI always wished I could just help babies understand how fantastically wonderful it feels to fall asleep. If I could half my days sleeping I would do it in a heartbeat!
ReplyDeleteWell, it sounds as if you are progressing and that is the most important thing.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I know it is tough with kids, but is it possible;e to arise an hour earlier and get in some quiet, alone writing time?
Yay for one handed typing - wrote many college papers that way. I needed this post. I need to follow this advice. Thank you.
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ReplyDeleteThat's about where I am now. And child number four is going to be dropped off by the stork sometime in the next two weeks...
ReplyDeleteFifty-four pages is AMAZING. I am so in awe of you!
ReplyDeleteI was doing exactly the same thing at this time last year. I didn't get much done (although standing with baby in the bjorn worked pretty well), but I don't regret it one bit. They're are only so many months when you can hold a sleeping baby before they become too big/heavy/wiggly. Enjoy Dread Pirate Baby while you can!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was appropriate to respond to the blog post you typed one-handed with a new baby in your arms by typing my comment one-handed with a new baby in my arms. Which I'm only managing at all because my mom's here. Three kids is a lot more than two, isn't it:} And I'm so impressed by your 54 pages. A little jealous, actually.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you writing about this because I hope to be a mother and a writer someday, and I'm not sure how I'll get it done! It's good to know how others handle it.
ReplyDeleteI'm now picturing a baby doing full battle with an arch-dragon called Sleep....
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