Wednesday, September 7, 2016

IWSG: How do you find the time to write in your busy day?

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Insecure Writers Support Group
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Our Co-Sponsor's this month are: C. Lee McKenzie
Rachel Pattison
 Elizabeth Seckman
 Stephanie Faris
 Lori L MacLaughlin
Elsie Amata!

I'm baaaack! July and August were Real Life months if you know what I mean. Between my two cataract surgeries and my mother's fall and her developing congestive heart failure, I've been out of commission when it comes to IWSG. In fact, this is my first post with the new (and let me cheer this development) monthly questions.

This month's is "How do you find the time to write in your busy day?"

The short answer is: I retired from teaching ;-)

The long answer is much more complex, as it so often is. I have a fatigue syndrome and that makes my writing time limited on many days. I've found through much trial and error since I retired twelve years ago that my best time is mid morning to early afternoon. From 9 AM till 3 PM, you'll find me writing, editing, polishing, or researching. That sounds wonderful. And it is, until you factor in fixing lunch, walking dogs, and general aches and pains from various joints and the sundry migraine. That said, I've polished a MS for submission and partials are out with the two agents I pitched in February. There are four more WIPs in the works. They're at various conditions of completion. I'm still working on the sequel to the book that's out in the cold, cruel world, but know I might need to shift to one of the standalones if I can't find traction with the first.

I've yet to research a list of target agents. I'm still quaking at the thought of doing that.

How on earth do you write if you have little children and/or a full-time job? I don't know the answer. But I know a ton of productive writers who do.

Next Week: The Book Pusher's September post!