I'm in the middle of a three day weekend and I find, as usual, that I'm not getting as much done as I'd planned. Especially in the novel writing department. What happens to my free time? Let's break it down. There are 24 hours in a day. I try to sleep at least 8 of those. I know there are people out there who can survive on less sleep but, I'm not one of them. If I get a minute less than 8 hrs, I guarantee you don't want to be around me.
So that leaves 16 hours. I need about an hour to get ready for the day. You know, shower, brush my teeth, dry my hair, get dressed, eat something. So that leaves 15 hours. That should be plenty of time to get things done unless it's a work day, which eats up 9 of my precious hours. But, I'm talking about my days off here. I spent two hours today reading, answering and writing e-mails. So now I have 14 hours. Take away an hour for this post and that's still 13 hours. Even though both of those activities involve writing, it's not progress on my novel.
I will admit I spent 2 hours this morning watching a couple of my favorite TV shows. So I now have 11 hours. I still need to check facebook, tweet something and eat lunch. That will use up another hour. But that's still 10 hours that I could use productively. Will I? Probably not. I'm seriously thinking about heading to my local hangout and get some face time with some friends. When I get home, there's dishes and laundry to wash and a Netflix movie just begging to be watched. Then time for bed.
So what's the answer? I've heard all the usual - "If it's important enough, you'll make time." My writing is important to me. Or "Quit watching TV and unplug the Internet." Really? Not gonna happen.
So, good people, how do you find the time to do what you love? Or are you like me and struggle with the same issue?
I love this post. I, too, am a BIG TV fan. And now that they've put Murder She Wrote on TV in the mornings, it cuts into my writing time on days off too! If you figure out a solution that DOESN'T involve leaving the tv shows behind, please let me know. Besides, I figure Murder She Wrote is research. It is, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I, too, need 8-9 hours' sleep. I just do or you don't want to be around me either!
ReplyDeleteI am just like you in that I'll break down the day by chore and determine how many hours are left to write. Then, I blog, FB, and do it all again and never seem to get to my writing. I just realized what our problem is. We need to do the writing FIRST! think we can pull it off if we rearrange our schedule. Hmmm. What do you think?
Some days it requires getting up earlier. I know -not for you. hehe
ReplyDeleteI try to have all my 'must do' internet business done by 10 a.m. Noon at the very latest. Then I word sprint with a group on line until 3. Break for early supper and misc. internet. Then I'm back on here by 6 and sprinting until 9 or 10.
Yesterday was not a usual day. Spent 10 hours getting 15 days worth of back log taken care of. Today is back on track - finally!