Awesome co-hosts this month
Nancy Thompson – http://nancysthompson.blogspot.com/
Mark Koopmans – http://mark dkoopmans.blogspot.com/
Heather Gardner - http://hmgardner.blogspot.com/
For this month's post I'm going to talk about TIME. How we manage it, how we find it and how we often lose it! I seem to spend hours wanting to sit down and write. When I'm at work for example I am often frustrated not to be home working on my latest piece, yet I know it simply isn't possible. Then when I have a few precious hours set by to write my inspiration may have gone elsewhere! It seems a cruel twist of fate. Does anyone else have the same problem?
I know it's that age old problem of time management, and I have tried to re-organise things to give myself more opportunities, but it rarely happens as planned.I have sneaked in the odd half hour before work sometimes but this is mainly to write a blog post or answer emails. It doesn't seem long enough for me to get into the 'zone.' In the evenings I might grab an hour or so but if everyone is home and the house is noisy I don't find this very conducive either!
Anyone know where I can buy Hermione's Time Turner?
i found myself watching "vikings". i loved it, but oh my, i could have used that time to be beta reading or revising!! dang tv sucked me in :)
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to get distracted isn't it?!
DeleteThat saying, "If you want something done, give it to a busy person," is SO true! I know I have the exact same problem with time - I wish I knew how to manage it properly!
ReplyDeleteI think we are probably all in the same boat time wise really!
DeleteTime is a huge problem for me. I have no balance. I'm an all or nothing writer. And the days I have the most inspiration are the days I've made plans to meet friends... guaranteed!
ReplyDeleteOh Annalisa, I know!
DeleteMaybe some noise cancelling headphones and locking yourself in a room in the evening might help?
ReplyDeleteUsually by the time I have free time, it's late and my brain has turned to mush.
Maybe I should try that Alex - wonder if they'd notice!
DeleteTime management is one of my biggest problems when it comes to writing. It just seems to go nowhere! I could certainly use a time turner, too :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe they sell them on ebay?!
DeleteYes time is essential. When the mood takes me I can write some great stuff when travelling on the train for 2 hours. Distractions at home can eat into time too.
ReplyDeleteI'm a writer who prefers peace and quiet to work at my best so lots of distractions are really tricky!
DeleteI am the worst when it comes to time management. Proof: had to take a month off blogging just to figure out how to manage my time. If there's not time, make it - that's all it really amounts to. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm probably going to take a bloggy break for a couple weeks in August.
DeleteTime management is really hard. For me, I find that I only get things done when I'm stealing time to do it. Got a lunch break? write during that. Five minutes before you have to leave for work? That's a couple of sentences.
ReplyDeletePeople always ask "How do you find the time?" and honestly, it's not like you can search through your purse and find some spare time. You must steal it.
Maybe a need to become sneakier!
DeleteTime gets scattered everyday. I've found I have to set aside time to write. If I wait for the *right* time it never happens. Life has too many distractions. When it's time to sit and write I have close the door on everything else and focus on the world I'm creating. Like climbing into the bathtub and immersing myself into the water--only I'm climbing into my world and words.
ReplyDeleteSia McKye OVER COFFEE
Hi Sia, it is hard to get away from distractions sometimes. Probably in part because we live in an age when everyone is contactable 24/7! Thanks for dropping by.
DeleteI am bad with time management too. I block out an hour every morning where I show up and my muse generally does too - except for the last few days.
ReplyDeleteIt's so annoying if the muse doesn't want to play isn't it!
DeleteIt's funny, I tweeted the other day about needing a time-turner - or a clone! It can get overwhelming trying to fit everything into one day!
ReplyDeleteHaha seems like I'm not the only one!
DeleteIf you find where to buy it please share so I can buy one too. I am the worst at time management and can be distracted by such silly things.
ReplyDeleteI'll do a post on it Julie!
DeleteGah! Time! Definitely my biggest enemy! Strangely, so easy to waste though...
ReplyDeleteI know, I'm sure we waste so much. Welcome to my blog Linda.
DeleteWhen I read The Prisoner of Azkaban I was ready to sign up for Hogwarts just because of the Time Turner. It's the only thing I don't have enough of.
ReplyDeleteI think if we could invent one we'd make a fortune!
DeleteTime is a problem for me too. I don't work well when it's noisy either. I just have to heave a sigh and roll with it. Somebody would make billions if they designed a Time Turner!
ReplyDeleteIndeed they would Christine!
Delete"Management" is the key word. Since I quit my career, I have lots of time, but still manage to fritter it away. The amount is less the issue than the use of it, at least for me.
ReplyDeleteYes I've heard people say that too, Julie. Sometimes less is more!
Deletei try and unplug when i want to write, but so busy lately can't find the time.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's because its summer and we try and pack so much in.
DeleteWhen you ARE inspired, write those thoughts down so you have a list or outline to follow and don't waste time wondering where to go. Even a full-time writer like me has a hard time finding writing time. Marketing is an enormous beast that sucks time like the black hole of death!
ReplyDelete~ Alex's #3 minion
I probably do need to do that more Nancy. Thanks for dropping by and co-hosting.
DeleteSometimes, the mind is willing but the flesh says 'heck no' and we just want to vegetate, lol
ReplyDeleteTime is of a premium, especially for writers, but we sometimes forget to take breaks, too.
Stress doesn't seem very conducive to writing...unless you're Stephen King, I guess. Maybe worry less about time and just put some thought (doesn't have to be action) into your wip?
That's what I do, sometimes :)
I agree about the stress, it is certainly not conducive to creativity!
DeleteTime is a huge problem for me right now. I've gotten to the point where I wish I didn't have to sleep. The only time I can do any writing is at night when everyone is asleep and the house is quiet. Hope you're able to get some good writing soon. (:
ReplyDeleteI know I prefer quiet too, interruptions, however, well meaning can pull you off course. Hope you manage to sleep and write Elise.
DeleteI've experienced the same problem you have. When I'm away from the computer, I feel I should be writing and when I'm at the computer I spend the time doing something else. I do have problems with time management but I'm making my best to get more organized. I hope you can soon. :)
ReplyDeleteHopping around today it does seem a common problem. We all live in such a busy world that demands our attention in one form or another constantly. Think I need to step off the ride for a while and re-focus.
DeleteTime...or a lack thereof...seems to be a common theme of IWSG posts this month. Must be the summer. My year is shot anyway...so I don't sweat it much. :)
ReplyDeleteIt does seem a popular theme! Looking forward to Write Club starting DL.
DeleteHi Suzanne .. time is so precious - but boy does it run fast!! Even when we have more day .. just more to do too ..
ReplyDeleteCheers and enjoy the summer days in the west country ... Hilary
We were so on the same page here! I wish I did have a time turner! :)
ReplyDelete