tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post8139813134990919201..comments2024-03-26T23:31:37.080-04:00Comments on Balancing Act: #IWSG: Time for writingSamantha Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17684962313482409801noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post-84837830392162671952016-09-10T14:02:10.157-04:002016-09-10T14:02:10.157-04:00I am lucky. I have a lovely, quiet little room ove...I am lucky. I have a lovely, quiet little room overlooking an old cemetery. Does that mean I write distraction-free? Hahahaha!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15964712984479525970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post-5724374893338577522016-09-10T13:54:14.673-04:002016-09-10T13:54:14.673-04:00Oh, good idea! I often go to the library, but I ha...Oh, good idea! I often go to the library, but I hadn't thought about study carrels. Samantha Bryanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17684962313482409801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post-28346143492374884552016-09-10T13:53:26.143-04:002016-09-10T13:53:26.143-04:00Thanks, Rebecca :-) I was proud of that first para...Thanks, Rebecca :-) I was proud of that first paragraph, so it's nice to have someone notice it!Samantha Bryanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17684962313482409801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post-59228067204807695462016-09-10T13:52:43.047-04:002016-09-10T13:52:43.047-04:00Thanks :-) We've got this!Thanks :-) We've got this!Samantha Bryanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17684962313482409801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post-52720870976007542392016-09-10T13:51:14.957-04:002016-09-10T13:51:14.957-04:00Thanks for coming by and for the follow! Sometimes...Thanks for coming by and for the follow! Sometimes poking at a project is the right pace--your brain is working behind the scenes. Samantha Bryanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17684962313482409801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post-24032405535675329402016-09-10T13:50:35.263-04:002016-09-10T13:50:35.263-04:00Yeah. It's too easy to grant yourself an out. ...Yeah. It's too easy to grant yourself an out. I think that's why blog deadlines worked well for me. There were at least some theoretical readers out there expecting me to produce my weekly post.<br /><br />Same with my critique group: had to have *something* for them when my turn came up. Samantha Bryanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17684962313482409801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post-53502590360993080322016-09-08T15:29:33.856-04:002016-09-08T15:29:33.856-04:00Writing in coffee shops sounds so romantic, but it...Writing in coffee shops sounds so romantic, but it can be hit or miss. Other people's conversations and the general hustle and bustle can be distracting. When my house is too full of people, I have booked a study room at my local library for a few hours. They are quiet and distraction free.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05697412264806977992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post-31966589385070250692016-09-08T14:13:51.772-04:002016-09-08T14:13:51.772-04:00I still like writing in coffee shops, and because ...I still like writing in coffee shops, and because I'm naturally cheap, I find I can discipline myself to write longer: "You paid $3 for the right to sit here, so you are going to work hard for at least an hour before you quit!"Rebecca M. Douglasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07260530063164127746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post-69255496461907319302016-09-08T14:12:37.014-04:002016-09-08T14:12:37.014-04:00Totally agree here! So far, the only deadline I...Totally agree here! So far, the only deadline I've been able to really obey, though, is the blog-post schedule. It's hard to set your own, and then believe in them.Rebecca M. Douglasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07260530063164127746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post-76855230076880523902016-09-08T14:11:05.422-04:002016-09-08T14:11:05.422-04:00Excellent post, and excellent job of setting up yo...Excellent post, and excellent job of setting up your writing time. I'm always in awe of people who can be that disciplined (I often SAY I'm going to work in the evenings, but in reality usually end up reading, at best. At worst, it's solitaire on the computer).<br /><br />I also loved your opening paragraph :D Not to mention that "to-do list" meme!<br />--Rebecca<br /> <a href="http://www.ninjalibrarian.com/2016/09/iwsg-making-time-to-write.html" rel="nofollow">My IWSG Post </a>Rebecca M. Douglasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07260530063164127746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post-87421843773512601822016-09-07T23:05:00.493-04:002016-09-07T23:05:00.493-04:00I really like how you discussed this with your fam...I really like how you discussed this with your family and made your writing a priority.<br />I've also given up TV pretty much--except as an occasional treat when I've finished my writing for the day.<br />I could relate to so much of what you said--I don't have an office easier--so I'm either on the living room couch or my bedroom. I can't write in coffee shops either--too many distractions!<br />Thank you for all the great ideas--but most of all the inspiration to make my writing a priority!<br />Jennihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13139361928785566916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post-74971262845966934432016-09-07T16:57:20.653-04:002016-09-07T16:57:20.653-04:00I think you've got some fantastic advice there...I think you've got some fantastic advice there - I'm going to have to borrow a few tips from you I think, if I want to get serious about writing again. I'm also cranky when I don't write for a while. I used to write in coffee shops at uni, and while I like the idea, I agree with you about the time/noise levels - and that's not including all the money I tend to spend too! Wishing you all the best with your writing!<br /><br />Rachel x<br />September IWSG co-hostRachel Pattinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05848131947437970731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post-89494772457528105652016-09-07T15:36:38.455-04:002016-09-07T15:36:38.455-04:00This is my first time here. I've joined your b...This is my first time here. I've joined your blog. <br />I'm also physically and mentally tired at night. I'm a morning person. Personal deadlines are important, but unfortunately, I will still poke at some projects. Thanks for the tips.<br />Victoria Marie Leeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post-43773100792270779522016-09-07T15:17:50.677-04:002016-09-07T15:17:50.677-04:00Yes. I set deadlines for myself if the world isn&#...Yes. I set deadlines for myself if the world isn't doing it for me. Otherwise, I'd languish and pick at a project too long. Samantha Bryanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17684962313482409801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post-69391895429851599172016-09-07T13:28:22.867-04:002016-09-07T13:28:22.867-04:00Wow, those are great tips, Samantha. Congrats on b...Wow, those are great tips, Samantha. Congrats on being so committed! Writing is my day job, so the trickiest part is having time for my "own" fiction writing. For me, deadlines are key. If there's no external motivation, I'll create it.<br /><br />And I must admit, I don't sleep much. I also never watch TV.J.H. Moncrieffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18045467689291025137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post-59839446958132095022016-09-07T13:12:41.776-04:002016-09-07T13:12:41.776-04:00It's tough for everyone in different ways, I t...It's tough for everyone in different ways, I think. But, it's working well for us most days now. Samantha Bryanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17684962313482409801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post-72607007420914905052016-09-07T13:12:18.005-04:002016-09-07T13:12:18.005-04:00We're "family meeting" sorts of peop...We're "family meeting" sorts of people--always striving to balance the needs of all the Bryants and help each other. So, yeah, it was just right. Samantha Bryanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17684962313482409801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post-88996552897030721682016-09-07T13:11:45.218-04:002016-09-07T13:11:45.218-04:00I now keep a word count with Magic Spreadsheet AND...I now keep a word count with Magic Spreadsheet AND a project-divided count with Jamie Raintree's spreadsheet. Keeping a chain going has been HUGELY motivating for me, and I've now written (at least 250 words) for more than 1,000 days in a row. Samantha Bryanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17684962313482409801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post-6935164841056083582016-09-07T12:45:48.163-04:002016-09-07T12:45:48.163-04:00Sounds tough, but it looks like you've got it ...Sounds tough, but it looks like you've got it under control. :-)<br /><br /><a href="https://emaginette.wordpress.com/2016/09/06/iwsg-28-time-to-write/" rel="nofollow"> Anna from elements of emaginette</a>emaginettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03324981140248692448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post-24876865731731372702016-09-07T10:58:27.235-04:002016-09-07T10:58:27.235-04:00That family meeting sounds like just what you need...That family meeting sounds like just what you needed. When everyone in the family is on board, it can make your writing life much easier. I agree about writing in coffeeshops, etc. Just driving there takes time away from writing. Congrats on making time to write.Diane Burtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03754105332297068271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774305250676105976.post-29498437366638115172016-09-07T10:55:57.823-04:002016-09-07T10:55:57.823-04:00I have the same problems working at libraries or c...I have the same problems working at libraries or coffee houses. Unless I can find a table/desk in a corner that's facing away from everyone and everything, I don't get that much done.<br /><br />Fortunately, I do have writing space in my house with a door that closes, (and no children waiting on the other side...) so I generally work at home.<br /><br />Hope the Magic Spreadsheet is still working out for you!M.J. Fifieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15626475963328519693noreply@blogger.com