Julie Lence's Blog - Posts Tagged "write"
Snow Days
I grew up on the east coast. Snow and cold temperatures were the norm for the winter months. Sometimes, if we had a really harsh snow storm, the school district would take pity on us and close. Most often, school was open and that meant bundling up in snow pants, coats, hats, scarves and mittens and walking to school. Or standing on the corner waiting for the school bus. But as kids, my brothers, sister and me liked the cold. We had a big back yard. One year we turned on the garden hose and made an ice skating rink. That was a lot of fun, but what I really liked was how the man next door had a plow on his pick up. He had a very long driveway and would push the snow all the way into the corner of our back yard, pile it as high as he could and then we'd go out and make snow forts. Nowadays, I prefer to stay inside where it's warm.
So, what does a writer do on these cold, snowy, stay indoors type of days? For me, I try to write--something. Even part of a scene. Or I work on promo. But by the end of the day, I can guarantee I haven't accomplished what I set out to. Why? Because school is usually closed, which means my son is home and bored. Translation--entertain me. To offset the feeling that I've accomplished nothing by the time bedtime rolls around, I make a deal with him: let me work until noon and then we'll do something together after lunch.
I have found this strategy works; sometimes. Usually, by the time I shut off the computer, he's doing his own thing and doesn't want to be bothered. Or, if I'm fighting for one last half hour to finish, he's more than ready for my attention. And that's when I have to remind myself family comes first. Scenes and chapters and promo will wait another day, but the time I spend with him is priceless, and slips away faster with each passing day. Your characters might be calling to your muse, or that last interview question needs to be answered and sent off, but these cuddle on the couch and watch a movie, play a game or bake cookies days won't always be here. Enjoy the cold and snow by spending time with your little ones and don't sweat losing time at the computer. You can always write another day, but you can't cuddle with an eighteen year old itching for the car keys so he can fishtail through the snow.
So, what does a writer do on these cold, snowy, stay indoors type of days? For me, I try to write--something. Even part of a scene. Or I work on promo. But by the end of the day, I can guarantee I haven't accomplished what I set out to. Why? Because school is usually closed, which means my son is home and bored. Translation--entertain me. To offset the feeling that I've accomplished nothing by the time bedtime rolls around, I make a deal with him: let me work until noon and then we'll do something together after lunch.
I have found this strategy works; sometimes. Usually, by the time I shut off the computer, he's doing his own thing and doesn't want to be bothered. Or, if I'm fighting for one last half hour to finish, he's more than ready for my attention. And that's when I have to remind myself family comes first. Scenes and chapters and promo will wait another day, but the time I spend with him is priceless, and slips away faster with each passing day. Your characters might be calling to your muse, or that last interview question needs to be answered and sent off, but these cuddle on the couch and watch a movie, play a game or bake cookies days won't always be here. Enjoy the cold and snow by spending time with your little ones and don't sweat losing time at the computer. You can always write another day, but you can't cuddle with an eighteen year old itching for the car keys so he can fishtail through the snow.
