I took Monday and Tuesday off to drive to our cabin in Oregon. I took my friend, S, and we had a great time chatting, dining and shopping (lots of good smelly candles from Simply Sandy's!). But now I'm way behind for the week. Here's what's on my plate:
The Invisible Sister: Fourteen chapters edited, one chapter to go. I'd love to get this off my plate today, but it probably won't happen...because...
Architecture Stuff: I have a case going before Historic Preservation on Monday night to prepare for. As soon as it's reviewed, I have to submit for the Accessory Dwelling Unit and the Variance. I'm trying to pull the applications and drawings together this week. I also have a meeting with a client tonight, which might require some legwork tomorrow. And there are two projects I need to track down. They seem to have disappeared...hmm...
Carnivale Stuff: I have about sixty double-thick cardboard sheets I need to cut into Masai Warrior Shields. I expect it will take four or five hours, which I don't have, because I also need to get the food booths glued together so we can attach them to the frames this weekend. I need to schedule the final meeting next week and coordinate volunteers from the local junior high. I won't do it this afternoon though, since I have to give an update at the PTO meeting.
Sports Stuff: Luckily, no tennis matches scheduled for me this week. I'll miss soccer tonight, because I have my meeting, but it's probably for the best. My knee is still a little sketchy from last week's problem on the stairs.
Misc Writing: I have other novels, begging for attention. I have an agent and an editor waiting on revisions. I have two month's worth of comments from my critique group to address in my WIP. They're all back-burner until The Invisible Sister is done (see #1 above).
Other Stuff: Add to that birthdays, aikido, scheduling summer camps for X, cleaning the house, laundry, billings to be sent out Friday, blogging, marketing research, stupid time-eating Facebook, NENA, the fact that I have a meeting every single night next week AND we're going camping for Memorial Day. . .
I need a time out.
I can't be the only one with months like this. How do you guys cope with it all? What's the first thing you like to cross off your list? And what's the first thing you decide to ignore?
I cope as best I can with the demands of life, and the siren call of writing. It's not easy some days/weeks/months. All you can really do is your best - do what you can and try (I know, very, very hard) not to stress about the rest. Write when you can - 15 minutes here, 20 minutes there, notes at the redlight, a quick email about story ideas . . . That's normally how I handle the weeks when I have so much going on I think my brain might explode. It hasn't so far, but it's come close a time or two.
ReplyDeleteAlso, there's no hard/fast rule that a writer must write every day. That's just one of those myths passed around to frustrate apsiring writers. I write when I can. I do the best that I can.
Best of Luck.
S
Oh man, this really makes me rethink my definition of busy. I thought I was "busy" with work, dinner dates with friends and a roommate on convalescent leave. What a naive fool I was.
ReplyDeleteI don't really have good advice for you (see above), but I will say that I think you're amazing for taking it all on. Usually for me the first thing to go is whatever I don't feel like doing in the moment—not the best of plans.
Good luck with May! Hopefully you'll at least get beautiful weather to frolic in.
Thanks Scott -- great advice. I love how your post says basically, "Do what you can and don't beat yourself up over the rest." I definitely need to remember that!!
ReplyDeleteSam -- I remember you blogged about this recently too! As I commented then, I think it's much harder to balance a writer's life with a social life when you're single. At least I have a spouse who chips in around the house and doesn't complain if I become a hermit for three weeks. And I think you have the right idea for what to cull. If it isn't making us happy, we need to find a way not to do it!
I have mixed sympathy..on one hand I am so sorry you are swamped, on the other hand HELLO! You are living the dream, girl. Don't forget to take a tiny bit of time to enjoy the journey :)
ReplyDeleteps - word verif. is depoo don't know what it means, but it made me giggle. See how immature I am?
:) Tess, you have the best verification words.
ReplyDelete