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| IWSG |
Not only is today December 3rd, but it's the first Wednesday of the month, and you know what that means? It means it's IWSG time!
The first Wednesday of the month is set aside for insecure writers across the blog-o-sphere to share all of our individual experiences, the gud, the baaaaaad and the plug ugly. You can either click on the link at the picture, or on the IWSG page located at the top of this blog.
Today's topic is one that is not only near and dear to my heart, but most definitely near and dear to yours. It's a topic that we deal with every single day of our lives not only as writers, but as regular yobs as well.
Time.
Unlike the wonderful Pink Floyd song from their long running Billboard 200 album (something like 30+ years) where the person has gobs of time, I have an excruciating lack of time to do almost anything, and I mean almost anything, writing related. While that may sound odd, considering that you're reading a blog post about lack of time, blogging is basically the only thing I can do that requires a maximum of ten minutes out of my wickedly cluttered day.
I say "cluttered" because about a month ago I started a new flex style schedule that requires me to work 48 hours every other week, and if you couple that with the fact that semi-mandatory overtime is required (short staffed) every other Saturday, you can understand why excess time is a commodity that I simply do not possess.
And for me to be able to do any kind of decent writing, I need a modest block of about two hours that I simply cannot find. Which means on average, any writing that I choose to do, only lasts about five to ten minutes tops, which is just enough time to open a document and tighten/tweak the grammar/sentences/paragraphs before having to close it.
One final example about the lack of time: in my last IWSG post, I said I would have something good to share with everyone. Well, due to the lack of time, I was not able to complete the task required in order to share that good news with everyone.
Time: if you got it, flaunt it to the best of your abilities. If you don't, then you need to practice time management skills in order to get it.
(c) 2014 by G.B. Miller. All Rights Reserved.
I didn't use to be able to write unless I had peace and knew I wouldn't be interupted for a few hours at least, but when I realised how rarely I'd find myself in that situation I learned to get a few sentences down whenever I had a few minutes. It takes a while to get used to working that way, but it can be done.
ReplyDeleteI have plenty of time but I still don't think I get enough done. But I think my problem is more about motivation.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, the allusion of time. Can't get enough of it either. Good luck and I look forward to hearing your good news down the road.
ReplyDeleteI need blocks of time to write, so I can relate. Sounds like they need to hire some staff where you work.
ReplyDeleteIt sucks when one has to work doesn't it? :) Life gets in the way of enjoyment so let's hope you can find more time to be able to write and one day you will:)
ReplyDeletePatsy: Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteIn the overall scheme, I still need a lot of peace & quiet to really write. I've tried doing it like that from time to time, but nothing much has come from it.
Sarah: Motivation is a major factor in my life right now. I can never quite put both motivation & time together at the same time.
Donna: Thanks for stopping by.
The illusion of time. Those who got, do. Those who don't, make semi-fruitless attempts and getting it.
Alex: Most definitely, but when you work for the guv'ment (on the state level), the 1st thing that gets implemented to show that the politicians mean "business" is a hiring freeze.
Birgit: Thanks for stopping by.
It most definitely does. There was a time when I was able to do a little writing at work. But those halcyon days are long gone.
On "pause" awaiting inspiration.
ReplyDeleteG.A.: In a nutshell, yes.
ReplyDeleteSemi-mandatory overtime! That's cruel and unusual punishment. HR needs to get on that.
ReplyDeleteS.R.: Unfortunately, when you work for a guv'ment agency whose head honcho (the guv'nor) declared a hiring freeze right after the election, you have no choice but to work overtime.
ReplyDeleteSad part is that it's cheaper to pay current employees overtime than it is to hire a new employee and pay them benefits.