Before I start my babbling, I want to thank you guys for your support through what we've been going through with Christopher. It's NOT his heart! So that is wonderful. And we are very thankful. But. It's back to the drawing board. Big time tests on his brain are scheduled. I'll let you know. We go Tuesday, but I'm sure they will schedule the tests, etc. and we'll be doing this through the end of the year. ICK!
What hurdles do you have in your writing life? Do you find yourself jumping them with ease? Or slamming into them, BAM?
Mine include, spreading myself way too thin, which also means hospital visits, home-school, family time and with six kids that can be time consuming, me time (which I don't really have these days. No quiet time can be an annoying little obstacle in itself. A writer needs QUIET! A writer needs good lighting. A writer definitely needs to put a NO DISTRACTIONS sign on the door. And ding, ding, ding!
The biggest obstacle of all? Ourselves. We need to set aside time each day to write. And if you can't write everyday, then set aside time each week and write. More on this next Wednesday when I post, Wish I Knew Wednesday.
Do writers need some idea in their head of a set time that they want to be finished with a story? Completely finished? YES!! Also, we need to write without that inner editor visiting. Just write. Take breaks if time permits. Stretch, take a walk, which could bring inspiration and look for the sunny side of life. :) I know that sounds corny, but it really works.
Stay positive! (Which I know I've had a problem doing a few days ago.) Stay confident! A lot of this is common sense, but I think sometimes we forget. We get caught up in life. We push the writing aside saying, "I'll write tomorrow." Tomorrow may never come. And yes that song from Annie is now etched in my brain. I can't get it out. :) *she shakes her head, hoping it will fall out her ear*
Any tips or obstacles I've forgotten? If so, leave 'em here. Have a productive, upbeat day. :)
Choosing to focus on gratitude every day no matter what (and, yes, it IS a choice), can make all the difference.
ReplyDeleteSo glad the medical news was good. You must be relieved!
You're right Angie. It is a choice.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am relieved. I do wish they would discover the problem though. Soon, soon! :)
I have a lot to be thankful for.
Do writers need a set time . . .? Well, some do, some don't, and that's the way the world moves. The only timeframe I normally set with my writing is the amount of time to finish the rough draft. After that . . . I don't apply deadlines to my writing. I set goals, not deadlines: finish the first draft, set aside for a few weeks, work on something else, start editing the second draft, and so on. When I can read through the manuscript without my hand reaching for the highlighter or pen, then I know the story is where it needs to be.
ReplyDeleteYou are right that we are our biggest obstacle. I also think people often set their sights (i.e. goals) too high. I'll write 4,315 words every single night. Yeah, not in this life, baby! I think writers need to set realistic goals and then, if they exceed those goals . . . WOO-HOO, Baby!! So, at this extremely hectic time in my life, I try to set aside 15 - 30 minutes in the evening. Sometimes, I write a lot longer. WOO-HOO! Sometimes, not so much depending on - cook dinner, clean up, walk the dogs, bond w/Franklin, bond w/the cats/dogs, call Mom, and so much more - life!
Great post. Tickle-tickle-tickle!!
S
The song fell out your ear and scuttled into mine. Thanks. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad Christopher's heart is okay. It is indeed something to be grateful for. I think you deserve a great big ROBYN IS AWESOME because anyone who handles the long list of life stuff you do and writes books and this blog is precisely that--awesome.
Ugg. It's got to be disheartening not to get some immediate answer at the hospital. But don't worry, if you can't stay positive, I can see you have plenty of friends here that are willing to help boost you back up. I think that's a biggie in having to deal with so many obsticles; having a wonderful support system of people to help you on your way.
ReplyDeleteScott, I know I set my goals way too high. Then disappointment creeps in. I say, "Why couldn't I write my goal of 12,000 words today?"
ReplyDeleteI try to remember that if I write even 100 words, then that's a great day. I try to remember that anyway. Sometimes it's hard. :)
I want to get this done. And fast! Which goes back to your post for today of rushing. Yikes!
Tricia, thanks for your heartfelt words. I needed them today. They made me feel g-o-o-d! :) I really appreciate your support.
ReplyDeletePlease enjoy the music while your party is being reached. :)
Linda, it is hard. But you're right. I do have support from all my blogging friends and that counts for more than I could ever say. :)
ReplyDeletePraying for you Robyn!
ReplyDeleteTime is a commodity that we all crave more of. I find that when I saturate my life with quiet time with the Lord he gives value to my seconds, minutes, hours, and days. The room I need to write uniterrupted seems to be available at just the right moments.
Thank you for your prayers Tamika. They are definitely desired.
ReplyDeleteMy time with God is very important thing I do that I've been slack in this week. I need to make every effort to do that before anything else. Thanks for reminding me. :)
Staying confident and positive. What good reminders. Just what I needed to hear today. Thanks!
ReplyDeletePaul, I hear ya! I need to remind myself almost every day! You're very welcome! :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear that it's good news about Christopher's heart! Good luck with the rest of the tests ((((Hugs))))
ReplyDeleteMy biggest obstacle: self-doubt! :(
Ann, YAY! And thank you for the good luck wishes. Mostly, thank you for the hugs. They're needed. :)
ReplyDeleteSelf doubt. UGH. It creeps in when I least expect it too. :)
Great post with great reminders. I've been so distracted lately that I've made very little progress on my revisions. I need to set aside scheduled time. Otherwise, I won't get to it. Thanks. Glad to hear about your son.
ReplyDeleteRobyn, you have six kids? I had no idea. How do you find time to write at all? I admire you even more now. My obstacles are my time consuming job and any attempt to keep in touch with friends. The friends usually lose out--or rather, I lose out with my friends. Some are understanding, some not so much. Deadlines are big motivators for me, so I love having those set. :)
ReplyDeleteSusan, I've been distracted too. But I am going to set aside time to write, no matter what. Thanks for asking about him last night Susan. It made me feel so good. :)
ReplyDeleteDavin, I really appreciate you saying that. But it is I who admires you. A scientist! And a writer too.
ReplyDeleteWe do lose out on being able to have the company of our friends around us. But hey! We can invite them to our book launch. *grin*
Hmm, deadlines. I am giving myself deadlines. Not unrealistic. Doable. That way I can pat myself when I accomplish them. :)
Thanks for keeping us posted with the news about Christopher. You're staying strong during this journey and I really admire you.
ReplyDeleteI agree that taking walks is a great thing to do. It really does inspire and sometimes helps us gain perspective.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Cindy, sometimes I'm strong. But thank you for saying that. And gaining perspective is what it's all about. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are a fantastic woman, Robyn. Good luck with your son! And yes, I have all those obstacles and sometimes they are so overwhelming you just want to throw in the towel. On those days, chocolate helps. And people you love. And I absolutely set deadlines and goals for myself and it works really well. I love my deadlines. :D Good luck again. I'll be praying for you. Oh, love the new look on the blog, too.
ReplyDeleteBJ, Thank you my friend. I so appreciate the prayers. They give me such comfort. And glad you like the new look on the blog. You and Beth are the only two that said anything about it. I was beginning to think I made a mistake, changing it. :)
ReplyDeleteObstacles=chocolate! Hmm, they're not so bad after all then. *grin*
I'm glad Christopher's heart is okay. Sometimes it takes a lot of tests to find medical problems.
ReplyDeleteAs per writing, you're right. We need quiet and no distractions but this is hard to come by when we have kids and a lot on our plate. But I also find myself getting distracted by the Internet. Of course some of it's promo and networking, but I have to make more time to write.
Ashley, thank you. It does take a lot of tests. We've already been through so many.
ReplyDeleteINTERNET! An awful distraction. But a wonderful one too. :)
I raised several special needs kids, so I know what you are going through -- and I would not want to do it again. Nonetheless, I was able to write and publish because I would always have a notepad or printouts of my latest chapters with me so that all those hours I had to sit, waiting for doctors to finish operations, I had something to concentrate on other than the worries of the moment. (I got some actual writing done as well; it was not just diversion.)
ReplyDelete