Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Time to Get Organized

I've got a lot going on.  My mind is spinning. 

I have homework to do.  I say that with a giggle because I'm 44 and haven't had homework in about 20 years.  This weekend I suggested my kids should have a homework party.  When I went in to check on them, they were just studying quietly in the same room.  I told them they were doing it wrong and made appetizers before joining them.  We worked and then took breaks and then worked more.  I didn't do homework - I wrote a chapter.

I'm at the cusp of the very difficult part - the turning point.  The one that will make people cry or maybe squirm.  The part of the story that's the reason for writing it. 

My previous WIP is beckoning me to revise it - it's so close. 

Another novel wants to be written but needs to wait.  I plan to do a book review on a book on this time period (post Civil War) for homework, but I want to finish the novel I'm writing (post World War I) before I get my head in a different time period.  That isn't going to happen.

So I need to write as my priority and somehow segment my day into sections - writing time and homework time.  I need to segment the historical research too. 

I need to make time for the cooking and cleaning and bill paying and all the other things I do that no one notices.  I wonder if they'll care if I stop.

23 comments:

  1. Sadly, they might never notice that you do it but they'll notice if you stop.
    Make a list and number everything. That will keep you on track.

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    1. That's a good idea - I'll put it in my calendar and just focus on today.

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  2. Wow, you're one busy lady! I applaud you! :)

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  3. I make a to-do list when I have a lot to accomplish and prioritize what's on it. (I am a list maker, I confess) It keeps me on track, a skill I learned when I took a Essentials of Stress Management course.

    The theory is: stress goes down, production goes up, yada, yada, but the list beside me on my desk keeps me from roaming too far in blogland until my work is done.

    I also took evening courses on business while working full-time when the kids were little. The house probably suffered the most, but we did survive.

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    1. I got everything organized in preparation for this first class. But it all went to hell yesterday. Everyone's fed, so it's all good.

      I normally am a list maker - I have a separate little calendar just for writing (and now homework). Not sure why that didn't occur to me. It really helped.

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  4. I know how you feel! I'm itching to get back into writing as well but all these other duties are just taking over all my hours. I'll have to find balance soon.

    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  5. I hate having to do other stuff when i want to work on my book! I am in the same spot as you--coming up to the crux of the novel with the WIP, with another book waiting to be revised perched on my shoulder...

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    1. I got to 48,190 words today. I might make it to 50K tomorrow or the next day or definitely by Friday. :))

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  6. You're so busy! How do you manage to do all?

    Nas

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    1. I haven't read more than 4 or 5 blog posts today.

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  7. Man..you are one busy lady! But you seem like a strong lady, too. I have no doubt you'll handle it all!

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  8. It's amazing how much you accomplish Tonja! Maybe Alex's scheduling system will help make it a little easier.
    Julie

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    1. It definitely did. I even got some homework done that I was planning on doing tomorrow. Good thing because it's a slow read.

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  9. What are you doing blogging? You have homework to do! Stop goofing off and get busy (I really am that bossy of a mother). :P

    Ack, that's a lot to do. But you'll get it all done. I love using lists. Oh, the satisfaction of crossing off something as DONE. :)

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    1. Thanks, mom. :) Something's go to give, and I think this is it.

      I got a bunch of little check marks today - even one for dinner although I only told my husband what carry out to get. :)

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  10. Sounds like you are all over it now. For me, studying has always been staring at the ceiling and drawing doodles on notebook paper. Then I'd complain how I spent hours studying and still didn't get the material down.

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    1. I'm reading chapters of literary theory. The professor warned us we would want to throw the book against the wall. She was right.

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  11. I'm sure that they would miss the cooking. Maybe not the cleaning or bill paying unless the lights go out.

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    1. I worry that if/when I die the bathrooms will never ever be cleaned again.

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  12. I know exactly how you feel. When you start college maybe you can delegate some things to your teens. I know its easier said then done. I remember when I was in college. I don't know how I actually got through it to tell you the truth with a full time job and 5 daughters and all the housework.

    Hugs and chocolate,
    Shelly

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    1. In theory that should work. And would work if it weren't for the small one who is an absolute handful and a joy when not terrorizing his sibs.

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