Is "Real Life" Keeping You From Writing?

Life at work has gotten a bit crazy, so I have been thinking about that a lot. Also, I am dealing with some seasonal depression. Let me just say that the sun going down at 5 and me wanting to go down with it is not conducive to writing... or really to anything.

Not that bad, by any means. Bummer. Hope it clears up.

This was my busiest work week of the month, so am pleased that I did not fall too far behind. From here on in, I should have plenty of time to write.

But life does have a way of intervening ...

2009 -- A Hero Over His Head
2008 -- {sat out}
2007 -- {sat out}
2006 -- Power in the Blood (won)
2005 -- CUL8R (lost)
2004 -- {sat out}
2003 -- Nowhere Man (won)
2002 -- Soulmates (won)

i need a hug. gah.

Can we get a virtual group hug?

HUGS!

i can't even talk about what's going on even though i wish i could. bah.

Yes! I was starting to think I was the only one crazy enough to do this while working a full time job. It's been challenging to try to fit in writing before, after and around work, but so far I haven't fallen too far behind so that's encouraging.

Yes. This weekend will not help much either...actually all of my Saturdays this month are booked with non-writing activities. Augh!

I've never won yet (participated 2 years previous) and it seems like it always goes this way. Still, as I always think of it, any progress is still progress, so try not to get too discouraged. One year I did 25k...that's still an impressive boost on a novel in one month!

Yeah, I know the feeling guys! *GROUP BEAR HUG*

*hands out smarties* Because you're going to need a bit of smarties to get through it!

So many words, so precious little time.
ML Columbus, Ohio

Yes. I keep gasping and checking to be sure I haven't forgotten to do something for either work or school. I knew the workweek would be awful, though, so I wrote ahead on Sunday enough to make up for it. I just hope I can do that again tomorrow, as I have to read three chapters in my management book, do a few accounting exercises, and find a decently-priced parking spot downtown before 8am on Monday.

Sarah Marie Parker-Allen

Around chapter 8 my main character has to decide whether or not to undo the events that led to the total annihilation of Austin, Chicago, Lima (Peru) and Vancouver/Seattle. It's harder than it sounds, okay?

Let's see...a baby, a promotion, and a certain killer virus...No worries. We all have life to deal with

I did NaNo last year while working a full-time job, but this year, I'm not as much into my story, I guess. After I write my required amount of words, I have a hard time continuing because I know there's other stuff I'd rather be doing. (Like procrastinating playing World of Warcraft.) (Even my research is more fun than writing the actual story.)

I've recently switched to second shift, which... ugh. Originally, I thought it'd be handy for writing, but it's not. I wake up late, go to bed late, and hardly have any time for writing where I actually feel like writing. I love the hours because I'm more awake while I'm at work (instead of nodding off throughout the entire workday, which isn't safe to do in a factory), but I don't like the fact that I can't seem to get much writing done.

And then, of course, the one month out of the year that someone decides to ask me out on a date...? November, of course. Not that I'm complaining. (Sorry, novel, but you're getting put on the back burner for a date.)

So I'd say Real Life likes to step in the way a bit. If not the work (or for some, school) aspect of it, something else. Today I ought to be catching up on my writing, but I'm already struggling...and posting here to put things off further. Then, in less than an hour, I leave for my date. By the time I get back, I don't think writing a novel about the 1850 westward migration is really going to be at the top of my list of Things I Really Want To Do and Think About. (Then again, if the date goes badly...maybe I will.)

You're a snap-snapdragon,
Clamped down tight on me.

Alright. Confession time. I now realize that I am inspired by things I am not proud of and I'm gonna come clean: I am far less motivated by the above writer's 10k word count than I am by that pretty girl up there who hasn't broken 500. I shouldn't be surprised by this. I have always lost more weight with the picture of a fatty fatterson on my mirror than by meditating on photos chiseled abs and sinewy silhouettes.

So, in case there are more of you out there who are motivated by the sorry state of others- I give you me...

My first 1700 words includes some journaling.
I have a general story idea, but can't for the life of me think up a climax or an ending.
I have never even written more than a witty note on a birthday card.
I didn't write at all last night cuz I wanted fall asleep on my girlfriend's lap while listening to a rerun of Fresh Air (the one about Sesame Street!).
I am having serious self-esteem issues over the fact that I will not make it to double digits by the end of the weekend while all my NaNoWriMo cyber-buds will be cyber-beaming about their 15k+ milestones.
And worst of all? I can't actually make my characters move. I do a lot of describing of things, but can't seem to activate a character into present action.

All of this is true. But for real, I am super duper proud of my 9000 words no matter how illegal they are. I have never seen the scroll bar in Word say "13/13" before. I have never written 13 pages of anything. I feel pretty good about that.

I have been dealing with endless social offerings tied to my fulltime job that I could not say NO to. But I plan to take a day off each of the next two weeks to write all day. I do have a back up plan, turn off all electronic communication devices. Wish me luck.

One full time day job.
One part time night job.
Full time student.
Three papers due.
Exam at nine am.
Freelance biology tutor.
Worked three -triple- shifts in four days.
Becoming Narcoleptic.
4000 words behind schedule.

Bring it.

"I was once the self appointed inspector of rain storms and snow storms, and I did my duty faithfully."

Hang in there, GirlcalledZ. You are not the only one 4000 plus words behind. Just dont give up!!!

Yep.

-2 year old son who only comes in two speeds: full stop and RUN!!!!
-5 year old daughter who is in kindergarten part of the day.
-Seven months pregnant with #3 and I'm absolutely exhausted during the day with mundane at-home tasks. My energy doesn't pick up until around 3pm each day - doesn't matter how much caffeine I drink. *sigh* And bedtime for the kids is 9pm, for me is 10pm. Back up at 7am (officially... baby and bladder say get up every hour.)

And my carpal tunnel kicked in this evening. I'm in so much pain just typing this message, so I'll probably be cutting back on my writing. (I've had surgery twice on this hand, but it flares up again during each pregnancy.)

I've written over 12K words and developed this story more than I have with any other story. I'm going to keep trying for the 50K, but it may take me longer than NaNo allows.

Sorry for the woe-is-me posting. I started out so incredibly well that I guess I freaked myself out. LOL

...Jacquie...

2006: Maggie & Ethan v.1.0--FAIL
2008: Maggie & Ethan v.2.0--FAIL
2009: Maggie & Ethan v.3.0

"Writing is easy. You only need to stare at a piece of blank paper until a drop of blood forms on your forehead." - Douglas Adams

hugs guys. I've beaten 1,000, but I'm still going. I'll get my spurt!

I'm working full-time, have show rehearsals every night (we open next weekend)

and the legal thing is on my mind constantly.

I'd say more like writing is getting in the way of school. I know it shouldn't but I'd rather procrastinate on Physics than dictating the lives of little people in a little world where I rule all. Well, it's all cutting into sleep time, if that counts?