Friday 17 February 2012

As a writer...

... I’m finding life is filled with joy, fun and frustration at the moment. Now that my first book is out and I’m onto my second, I’m confident that I can write ‘All-in Night 2’. I know what I want to say, but it’s getting the time and head space to sit down and write. I love my life and all the people in it but I find it really distracts me from getting stuck into writing.

We are living on our farm at the moment while we ‘owner build’ our new home, which means there is a constant stream of people coming and going. There are speaking engagements and RE lessons to prepare, meals to organise, new mums to encourage, church commitments to fulfill and my family to care for and love.

So how do we as writers live our lives and fulfill our dreams of writing our books? I have come to the conclusion that it’s a discipline I must continually practice, by setting chunks of time aside each week so I can think and write. It’s like eating healthy, drinking enough water, exercise and getting enough sleep. It’s now an important part of my life that I need to nurture.

I know this in theory, now I just need to put it into practice!

This morning I once again got out my diary and carved out hours in my week that I committed to keep free so I could write.

The main thing is that I don’t get discouraged but continue to celebrate every little achievement, of which there are many!

Lynne Burgess


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10 comments:

  1. I agree: discipline. I think of it as work. While that may take some of the fun out of it, it does increase satisfaction from progress.

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  2. Hi Lynne. It's hard to battle all the distractions, isn't it? Even when they are enjoyable distractions. But we press on anyhow. Thanks for sharing. :)

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  3. Good idea Peter! I think I might stick a poster on my back which says-
    'Please don't interrupt! Author working!'. :)
    Amanda, I managed to write for 5 hours yesterday without a distraction! It was amazing, I got so much done!

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  4. Hi Lynne, I also find I have to schedule writing time otherwise I don't get anything done. I'm doing a Book in a Week challenge next week that will help me stay focused and not get distracted by other things. Like Peter has said, I think of my writing as work. I need to turn up on time and work hard like I do for my day job.

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  5. I often say that my life is getting in the way of my writing. It's a balance we need to create.

    Good to know I'm not the only one with the struggle, Lynne.

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  6. Thanks Lynn, A great reflection on time management.

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  7. Thanks for your post Lynne. You sound just like me! :) There is so much other wonderful stuff happening in my life and never enough time to write. So yes - I do need more discipline. Havin as much as I'd like to. Having said that, I find I have to be sometimes less self centred and let go of my precious writing time (which I thrive on) in order to serve others or do something else that God lays on my heart. The balance is the thing!

    Perhaps it is a good thing that there is never enough time to write all we wish? Because that has made the writing times even more precious, don't you think? :)

    May we Christian writers always find time for more writing. And always find time to do what He calls us to do.
    Blessings,
    Anusha

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  8. Hi Lynne,
    That's the exact decision I came to at the end of last year. We must put aside those hours to write each day and consider them an unbreakable commitment. Good on you.

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  9. Hi Lynne,
    We all face many other commitments apart from writing but keep going and I agree with Anusha balance is very important.

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  10. Thanks guys! It's good to know I'm not the only one experiencing this! :)
    Happy writing everyone!

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