Miscellaneous

182 hours

Writing Sparkle

This year I am writing a novel.

I am not someone who can sit down at a scheduled time and just bang some writing out. Power writing is not my strong suit. I need to be in the zone, or I need to get into it somehow. This can be problematic when I have set aside 3 ½ hours a week for this writing book 1 in The Nameless Files. Anyway, you are probably wondering what I am rambling on about.

There are 52 weeks in a year. I am working on a writing schedule of 3 ½ hours a week. That means I have set 182 hours aside for all my writing this year: novel, these posts, my coffee posts and anything else that I might write up. I am not sure if that will be enough time especially if I actually want to actually finish the novel in rough. So, at the end of the first week in March I am re-visiting my writing schedule. How do I find time, literally find time, to write?

Solution #1: My husband’s schedule involves a few night shifts and I typically dedicate one of those nights to relaxing after the children go to bed. This relaxing usually involves a combo of a warm sleepy tea, a snuggly blanket, a book, a puzzle, my favourite TV show (Outlander, Friends or La Reina del Sur), a hot bubble bath or I read in bed. The goal being “me time” but no chores. Anyway, I am thinking that these nights can no involve some writing or I can make it a “Write Night.”

Solution #2: I can make NaNoWriMo fit into my life’s schedule this year. I think it could be a great tool for me to use to finish up the back half of this project. All the character should be developed. The story line laid out and a few chapters written.

What kind of writer are you? Do you power write? Can you just be in the writing zone when you try to write at a scheduled time? How do you get in the zone?

By Shari Marshall – 2021

7 thoughts on “182 hours”

  1. Trade the kids in for dogs, they take less time; or cats, that would free up even more 😉 I do most of my writing in my head, so I can get a lot done in little snatches here and there and not blocks of time. This is particularly true with blog writing. I also type as fast as I think, so, words come out fast – perhaps too fast at times 😉 More than I will admit to is done during short breaks…

    Anyway, best of luck! i hope you do find more time without selling any kids!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hahaha, trade the kids for dogs. I often tell them that I am going to sell them to the circus. That said I often tell my dog that she is worse then the kids! If she doesn’t want to play then she wants to cuddle and a 70 pound dog sitting on your lap while your are trying to type isn’t very helpful. Perhaps I should trade the whole herd and get a fish, hahaha.

      Thanks for stopping in Trent. Hope you have a lovely weekend.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. lol, I have two 75 lb dogs that 1. – think my only purpose in life is to play with them outside 24×7 and 2. – want to be lap dogs when not playing outside 😉 That’s why maybe a cat would be better, though a fish is better yet. And neither cat nor fish (nor human children (I hope)) will sit on your computer keyboard when you are trying to work 😉 Have a great weekend!

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  2. Hahaha, I’m enjoying your comments Shari and Trent!! I want to write a novel, but am not sure what to write and not sure how much time this would take?! I would wonder how much time I could set aside for said writing!? So fun to follow your journeys. Sorry I don’t have anything to offer other than I enjoyed reading this today! Have a great weekend! ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I am so glad that you are following along!

      The how long question is a good one and I still wonder if a year is enough for me to get my rough draft done (we shall see). And setting time aside for writing is a challenge.

      Hope you have a great week!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Like you, family responsibility distracts and takes first front and center attention. Even with my girls grown and gone, the husband has become a lot of work and I am frequently interrupted with good wife (i am ready to relinquish that role) persona. My advice, find your people, just a few you can meet, zoom with to talk writing, from regular .setups, st daily or weekly goals. Its a journey

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