I haven't been doing much blogging lately since I started my new job. Adjusting has been a lot harder than I anticipated. Mostly because I'm exhausted all of the time. I pretty much work all day, come home, eat something, then maybe watch a little TV before passing out. I hardly even turn on my computer unless I have a day off. I haven't quite figured out how to utilize my mornings better, since I don't start work until 11. Even when I get up early it doesn't feel like enough time to be really productive.
But I didn't want to talk about work for this whole post. I wanted to talk about writing. Or lack thereof. I know I wasn't exactly writing much before I started the job, but I feel like I'm waiting around for the inspiration to strike. I know I have to actually try write before anything happens, and that I probably need the time and mental capacity to do so, which I just don't have at this point.
But the fact that I'm not writing, and haven't in a long time, really makes me sad. I really want to write, but it's like the longer I don't do it, the harder it is to start up again. I feel like I just need some time, even just an hour or two, to sit down with no distractions and just force the words out. Even if they come out horribly, even if they have nothing to do with the piece I should be working on, at least it would be something. And then hopefully I can keep moving forward from there.
I actually have this whole weekend off so I'm thinking it may be a good time to start. Just to write something. Anything at all.
How do you start writing again after taking a (ridiculously long) break? How do you find time to write when there is no time?
That's been my struggle for a while now, finding the time to write. They say "make time" but I wasn't fixed on that meaning until I made a change this week: up at 5 AM with a two hour writing window before getting ready for the day. Not too bad so far, and I'm finding myself going to bed much earlier that before. :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes that big block of time can be intimidating - you feel like you have to to write a lot and write well because you have the time, etc. A shorter window to work in - 20 minutes, half an hour - can be less pressure.
ReplyDeleteI have had the same struggle for several months now - always feeling like I'm waiting for inspiration before I start. I realize I need to just start writing period and get myself out of this slump. I hope you are able to write this weekend and enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteMy post this week is about day jobs as well, and how the long nights and weekend projects interfere with my own writing. I can sympathize with the need for down time.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like writing floats in the future. I've had a great book in my head for over a year now and I can't get it started. There were blog hops to join, short stories with deadlines that had to be done, and a novel that's been so close to it's final edits--for over a year. Sometimes I just want to say, "Screw everything else. I starting the new novel." But then I get sick. Or my kid does. Or something. It sounds like your weekday mornings are the best bet. Maybe vow to write for thirty minutes no matter what and if it happens, let the time grow.
ReplyDeleteI had to adjust my work schedule to get writing time in. I go in early to write before work, and I work long hours M-Th to take off early on Friday to write. My family is asleep in the morning, so I don't feel bad putting in the extra hours, and getting me out of the house removes the temptation to do laundry or turn on the TV instead. Sometimes I only get 400 words in a day or I spend an hour fiddling with one line. Like you said, it doesn't feel productive. Still, one line is better than nothing.
ReplyDeleteI feel like that. I come home from work and don't really bat an eye that my laptop is still in my bedroom, or that I don't feel like going to get it. But I think you should try to maybe even just write a sentence a day, start slow and small.
ReplyDeleteReal life can just suck all the energy out of a person, leaving little time for creativity. I do think the key is utilizing those small blocks of time to write - get up a little earlier, use part of your lunch break, maybe write after the family goes to bed. I sincerely hope you find what works for you, Sara, as you make this adjustment with your job.
ReplyDeleteThe longer I go in between projects, the harder it is to start again. Hope you get inspired again this weekend.
ReplyDeleteTry a little writing each day. Maybe mornings since you don't have to go to work until 11? I like to quit writing a scene when it gets good, so i have something to fall back on the next day. Something that leaves me excited and looking forward to my next session.
ReplyDeleteI'm usually so amped up after not writing for a while, I have no problem jumping back into it when I get some time. I used to write more at night when everyone else went to bed, but nowadays, when I see them getting ready for bed, it makes me sleepy and I skip the writing and just go to bed too. Arg! That really annoys me. I'm too slow a writer to let that kind of thing happen.
ReplyDeleteThere's something called the 5am writer's club on Twitter that a lot of workers use. That's probably WAY too early for you, but something like that could work...just set time aside every day right after you wake up to get some words on paper. Have you heard of the 100 Challenge? You write 100 words (at least) a day for 100 days and try not to break the chain. You can write more but not less and it has to be every single day. If you miss a day, you have to start over. I did it once and it was really effective in getting me to write every single day.
ReplyDeleteThey say it takes something like 7 days to create a habit and only 10 minutes to break it. I know how you feel though. When I went up to full time at my day job, it was hard to find the energy to write. I got home early enough that I could take a nap and get writing in for the evening, but my days off where when I did really well. Best advice I can give is try to take advantage of your days off to write and don't worry as much on days you work. If you're like me and struggle to write while tired, don't stress yourself over it. That only makes you dwell on how you feel like you're failing.
ReplyDeleteAdjusting to a new work routine is no easy task, but I'd encourage you to remember how creating can fill you (though you might believe, even subconsciously, that it will drain you more). Give yourself permission to do looser, sloppier pre-writing tasks like brainstorming, journaling, freewriting. Let your interactions with new coworkers become a place where you learn about how people express their feelings.
ReplyDeleteI have a post that might give you more ideas to get back in touch with your projects even if you don't yet have the energy to commit big chunks of time: http://laurelgarver.blogspot.com/2014/05/writing-when-you-cant-write-magic-touch.html.
A while back, I took a three or four month writing hiatus (because I was incredibly discouraged with everything I produced), and when it came time for me jump back into it, I had daydreams of incredible productivity and genius writing...it didn't quite work out like that. But I did a little bit every day until I was back in the habit.
ReplyDeleteI like Stephanie's idea of the 100 Challenge. I think I might try that when I get back to writing again in the new year.
what do you do?
ReplyDeleteI decided to make time for myself. I just recently got back on my high horse (j/k) and because I work an annoying M-F 9 to 5 job, most of my writing was done on the weekends. However, work was now drifting into half of the weekend, so in order not to lose the precious momentum I had recently gained, I try to spend at least a half hour late in the evening (usually after 8) writing. It's not easy with a house full of people (I'm one of those who need peace and quiet to write), but I find it's worth it in the long run.
ReplyDeleteBooks By G.B. Miller