Looking for ideas on when to write - Writers Forum

FlipsidE · 11-16-2005, 04:42 PM

While reading my Writing Fiction book yesterday, it mentioned that setting up a specific time to write at least five times per week one hour per day would be a good exercise in not only getting better, but also teaching yourself to set aside time to work on your projects.

I really would like to do this exercise, but I keep running into problems on finding the right time. Now, I'm going to go ahead and tell you that I'm going to play the Devil's Advocate here as I honestly don't see any way of making this thing work. So, I'm asking your advice. After reading the reasons why I can't seem to find time, maybe someone can suggest something I'm not thinking of.

First off, I get to work from home which makes things MUCH easier on me. But, at the same time, a couple of people have recently moved on to other jobs leaving me with all their responsibilities along with those of training a new guy to help take some of the responsibilities off of me.

So, my typical day starts around 7AM when the alarm goes off. A few taps of the snooze button later, and I'm out of bed. The first thing I always do is go to my work computer and find out what I have to do today that can be done quickly before hours and before I even hit the shower. I spend the next 10 mins to a half hour working, and then hit the shower. I'm behind my computer ready for work by 8AM. Considering that my job requires so much of me that lunches are sometimes barely an option, working out any time during the actual work day to do this whole writing thing would be impossible.

Quittin time is 5PM. For the last eight and a half to nine and a half hours, I've dealt with many many HIGH stress situations (definitely at work, sometimes personal), and usually, at least once a day (sometimes short, sometimes long), I find that my anxiety problems REALLY kick in and truly start to eat away at me.

When I say "Quittin time is 5PM" that's really more of a "what's expected of me" time versus an actual time to quit work. Sometimes I can work past five...be it a few minutes and sometimes up to six hours (happened not too long ago). Plus, while only primary on-call once every three weeks, I'm truly on-call for what I support 24/7/365. So, I could be called at any time (awake, asleep, on vacation, holidays, you name it) to work on a problem. As a matter of fact, I think this past vacation I took (few weeks ago) was the first in a year that I haven't been called in to work at least 12 to 14 hours. If I have a cell phone and/or a telephone line near me, 12 hours of off-hours non-stop work is always a possibility. And, on weeks when I'm primary on-call, I have to cover Saturday nights as well...and let me just say that I just forget about sleep that night.

So, needless to say, by quitting time (whenever that may be), I'm already so emotionally and mentally drained that even playing a video game (my favorite hobby) becomes a chore. About the only thing I can do is sit back and watch a movie, maybe surf the web, eat dinner, and maybe get a quick five minute journal entry in before my absolute mental and emotional energy drain kicks in and sleep tries desperately to pull me in.

Right now, It's 4:38, I have a little break from work, and I'm about to fall over asleep because of just how stressful and full of anxiety today has been. Unfortunately, this is the norm for me.

Now, that said, the best time for me would definitely be mornings. Get up a little early (say 6AM) and write for an hour while I still have energy. The problem is that, when you have such a stressful life as I do and have the type anxiety problems I do (not to mention on-call duties that can easily keep you up all night), sleep becomes a very very valuable comodity...one that probably shouldn't be cut short.

So, in amoungst this insane life of mine (that doesn't even have time for a girlfriend much less a wife), where can I find the time to set aside an hour everyday to write? The same hour each day...to put me in that routine? Does anyone have any suggestions. Because I'm just hittin wall after wall here.

Thanks, sincerely, in advance

FlipsidE

PamHKyle · 11-16-2005, 05:24 PM

I'm not sure if my advice will be of any help, but I'll try anyway.
You're in a stressy situation, obviously, and now you're going to add even more stress by having the feeling you have to write for an hour a day. TAKE IT EASY. Writing every day is a good habit, but not if you really have to force yourself (I'm not saying self-discipline is bad, but there are limits).
You need to find ways to make your day more tranquil. I suggest you do get out of bed a bit earlier, say 6AM (I get up every day at that time too, it's not as horrible as it may sound, besides you don't have to walk to your job through rain 'n wind 'n weather

). So you get up and take it easy. Don't let checking your computer be the first thing you do. Have a nice breakfast, maybe start preparing some lunch already (again, no stress) and THEN check your computer (this'll be somewhere between 7 and 7:30, so the same time you normally do, but you'll be much more relaxed).
2nd tip: leave a notepad at your side, so you can scribble down an idea between 2 calls, mails... (or whatever your job exactly is). Again, NO STRESS, If you don't have an idea, you don't have one.
3rd: take time to eat lunch (or at least, try) and make it some healthy, but tasty food. (Something that makes you feel light and energetic). Oh yea, try to stay away from coffee, try water or tea. Coffee tends to drain your powers after a while (And believe me, I know, I'm a coffee addict myself).
4th: When you finished your work, again, relax. Maybe you should start jogging. I know, sounds weird as I suggest 'relaxing' but it really is. You don't have to train for a marathon, just jog 20-30 minutes (you best start 5 minutes jog, 5min walk, 5jog and so on, to build up. I don't want you to get a heartattack.) Jogging gives your brain a rest, endorfines (happiness hormones) start flowing and you'll feel refreshed. When your done, take a shower, cuddle up in your favorite chair and take a notepad to do a little writing (or reading). This helps your boddy to relax again. Don't try to go to sleep rigt after you've excersised, that's no good for your body. Then go to sleep.
(PS: if you don't like jogging, that's fine with me, but I suggest you look for a diiferent sport.)
Never worry if you don't get any writing done, or don't fill the hour. You can't force creativity. And You'll notice that once you know how to relax, it'll all be much easier.
Just in the beginning, it'll take some time to learn.
Good luck & regards
Pam

mammamaia · 11-17-2005, 08:24 AM

my best advice is to simply write whenever you can, and don't try to fit yourself into anyone else's box... if you really have a passion to write, you'll do it... if you don't, you'll at least be making a living...

amusinglackoftalent · 11-17-2005, 01:45 PM

FlipsidE,

You mentioned in your post that you had no girlfriend, let alone a wife. To me, this admission is the key. If you have no girlfriend and no wife you are free to move about in life as you please. If you truly want to be a writer, QUIT your job. I don't mean quit working. I mean quit this job that sounds as if it's about to drive you nutz. (The jogging advice is good, too, especially for stress related trouble.)

We only have so many years, man. I am where I am in my 'writing career' largely as a result of allowing so many other things to take precedence. When I began writing with serious intent I was situated in life so that I could have developed a productive routine and traveled quite a different road than I have. I allowed 'material' yearnings to take priority as well as a marriage that sucked many hours of writing time from my schedule. All the while I was telling myself that I'd make time for it tomorrow, that there would be plenty of time later... This was a foolish illusion to create for myself and I regret it with much sorrow at times.

Think about what you REALLY want and build your life around that. Don't try to 'squeeze it in' if it's burning in your gut. It appears that the most passionate yearning you have is being stuffed into less than one-twenty-fourth of your day and this is on a 'good day'. Believe me when I say that you'll regret this method of honing your craft in the years to come. Good luck to you and your writing no matter what you decide to do.

Breaker · 11-17-2005, 02:17 PM

You didn't mention what time you normally go to bed. You say that you're up at 7..give or take a few snooze options. Unless you're going to bed after 11, you're still getting at least 7-8 hours quality sleep a night.

I've got two kids under 4, which means I haven't had eight consecutive hours of sleep in around 48 months. Which means I hate you. Sorry, only joking. I've found after struggling with the fact that I don't have the time to write, that something has to give. So now, instead of surfing the web, or shooting the Strogg in Quake 4, I get myself upstairs, and get to bed by 9. Then I get up at 5am, grab a cup of coffee, stick on my headphones, and write for an hour or two (depending on how the kids sleep). It's not ideal, and if my daughter has been up during the night, I'm not what you'd call razor sharp, but I've written more in the past two weeks than I have in the previous two years, and I've come to enjoy the quiet time.

Unfortunately I'm thinking of doing an MBA sometime soon, so I'll be getting up at 5am to do all the work that's required there, but it's good while it lasts.

FlipsidE · 11-17-2005, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amusinglackoftalent

FlipsidE,

You mentioned in your post that you had no girlfriend, let alone a wife. To me, this admission is the key. If you have no girlfriend and no wife you are free to move about in life as you please. If you truly want to be a writer, QUIT your job. I don't mean quit working. I mean quit this job that sounds as if it's about to drive you nutz. (The jogging advice is good, too, especially for stress related trouble.)

You make a good point here, and I can't deny that. But, le tme say a couple of things that I probably should have said earlier. First off, I really do enjoy my job. I do. It's just that we've had two people leave recently leaving me with all their responsibilties, and now I've been tasked to train someone to take over part of my responsibilities. And, that's a good thing, don't get me wrong. But, my job is very difficult to train someone for. It takes probably at least a month of doing it to start to get the hang of it and probably up to six months to really get a good grasp on what is going on. So, right now, being tasked to train thsi guy tough. He's coming along great, but it's taking me three hours to explain something that I could do in 15 minutes, and that's just wearing me down.

Once I get that part of my job completely off me, I do believe things will settle down...things will come back into check. Unfortunately, between now and then (which could be after Christmas) things are only going to get worse as projects want to try to get those last few things done before this year's budget runs out. Right now, at work, I'm truthfully in over my head. But, it wasn't like that forever. Before the first of the two people left, I was much MUCH better off and truly did enjoy all aspects of my job. I'm hoping that I eventually get back to that point by end of first quarter next year maybe.

As far as jogging goes, I couldn't agree more. You guys are absolutely right that that would probably help to invigorate me...for a while at least...after the first couple of weeks of just being completely drained by it. I even have a treadmill downstairs that I can use. But, unfortunately, as I said, by the time work is over these days, I'm just completely shot. It may truly only be mental and emotional exhaustion, but it tells my body that all I want to do is chill...just stay sitting or most of the time just go lay down in bed.

So, yes, this job is currently driving me nuts. Yes, this job is truly killing me right now with extremely high stress levels as well as anxiety that just eats me up inside. But, I believe that to only be a temporary thing. Give me another few months, and all of it will be over...things will slow down, and I'll get back to some kind of normality in life.

Again, gettin on that treadmill probably would help...and I'm seriously considering trying to do that before work when I still have the energy. I really need to sit down and come up with a good plan...something to force myself to follow a routine. Otherwise, I'll never get anything done (exercising or writing).

FlipsidE

PamHKyle · 11-17-2005, 04:15 PM

Jogging (or using the treadmill) BEFORE you start work, won't do the job, I'm afraid.
Even though you might seem exhausted, jogging is an excellent way to refill your batteries, really. Over the last few years, their have been all kinds of studies on the effects of jogging (and i do mean jogging, NOT training or working out, or so, just nice and easy jogging). Anyway, these studies prooved that jogging, more than any other sport, help you refill your batteries and make you feel happy and relaxed (due to the endorfines, which are released very quickly in comparison to other sports).

FlipsidE · 11-17-2005, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breaker

You didn't mention what time you normally go to bed. You say that you're up at 7..give or take a few snooze options. Unless you're going to bed after 11, you're still getting at least 7-8 hours quality sleep a night.

Well, in this case, there's a rather large difference between what time I go to bed and what time I go to sleep. What time do I go to bed? Usually, I'm in bed between 4:30PM and 7PM (literally). What time do I go to sleep? Usually somewhere between 10PM and midnight. Now let me explain why this is the case.

As I mentioned in my last post, my emotional and mental exhaustion just make me wanna drop to sleep or drop into a daze of absolute nothingness as of quittin time each day (whenever that may be). At this point in time, I'm too tired to do anything constructive, but definitely far too awake to go to sleep. Let me use an example to show you what I mean.

Let's take a video game (mentioned above)...make that a specific video game that I played for about a year starting in 8/2003 going to 8/2004. It is a Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (or better known as an MMORPG) called Star Wars Galaxies (SWG). In SWG, I played a crafter (both an Architect and a Weaponsmith) and made a decent living in the game doing so.

Being a crafter in SWG required a TON of thinking, tons of number crunching, and believe it or not lots of shopping. On my ride back from my ore extractors (be it by shuttle or by land vehicle), I would start my number crunching to see how many sub-components I could make with the amount of factories I had available to me. Then, I'd divide all the components up as necessary, make the schematic, and fire up my factories calculating time left to completion of the items. If I had enough time, I'd either go start working on another sub component, finalize other weapons or structures, or go shopping at one of my server's best malls for better resources for the things I crafted. After this factory run was done, then came the schematic for the final product, and the final run. All the time using big spreadsheets to crunch numbers on how many of what material or subcomponent I would need along with how long it would take to make each. And, this is only a small part of what I did in that game.

But, this is where I mention constructive. While I found that entire experience very enjoyable and constructive in a sense that, by the end of most days, I felt like I had actually gotten something done to better the fun of other players in the game, it didn't matter in the long run.

Two weeks later, did I have to remember any of the information I just shared above for that given run? Did I have to remember exactly how many T-22 Rifles or Heavy Mineral Extractors I had crafted and put up for sale on my vendors? Did I have to be concerned, at all, with the amount of time it took to run that entire batch of pistols, extractors, houses, etc... No. I simply didn't. Because, past fulfilling an order or completing a certain number of units, I could forget ALL of that information.

The problem is that, all my other hobbies (be it from my semi-short lived Photography hobby to reading any one of my 40+ Dungeons & Dragons rulebooks to reading my Fiction Writing book or even trying my hand at a short story) require me to remember...require me to read for comprehension...to learn, think, and take the skills I've learned and thought through and put them to use at a later date. Be it the next day, the next week, the next month, or the next year.

At the end of a given work day, my brain is just so fried...so turned to mush that trying to read for any kind of comprehension is like men trying to truly understand women (and vice-versa). It's just not gonna happen. Sure, I may be able to go through five chapters of my creative writing book or three chapters of Complete Arcane, but I'll probably realize half way through that I don't remember half of what I read because my brain just doesn't want to work after the kinds of days I have at work these days.

As I mentioned earlier, about all I can really do is lay in bed or sit nice and still in my chair in my office and watch movies or TV shows at night...stuff that entertains me and doesn't require any thought at all.

This is why I'm thinking of trying to get up at like 6AM, write for a while (not sure how long), hit the treadmill for a few mins, hit the shower, and start my day at work. Though I'm not sure how well that will work out.

Don't get me wrong, I plan to try it, but I'm also concerned that I won't be as sharp at work anymore. It also sucks rather badly that I just really don't sleep at night well anymore (99.9% of the time it's personal stuff, not work related). I won't go into too much detail on that right now simply because I've rambled on enough as it is.

Anyway, I appreciate all the advice that's been given here...and seriously some of it is excellent. I'm going to give some of it a shot. But, I gotta be honest, the realist in me tells me this is not gonna work at as well as I hope it will

FlipsidE

FlipsidE · 11-17-2005, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PamHKyle

Jogging (or using the treadmill) BEFORE you start work, won't do the job, I'm afraid.
Even though you might seem exhausted, jogging is an excellent way to refill your batteries, really. Over the last few years, their have been all kinds of studies on the effects of jogging (and i do mean jogging, NOT training or working out, or so, just nice and easy jogging). Anyway, these studies prooved that jogging, more than any other sport, help you refill your batteries and make you feel happy and relaxed (due to the endorfines, which are released very quickly in comparison to other sports).

As much as I used to LOVE to jog, I just don't think I can do it anymore. While having problems with anxiety and stress, I also have Tachycardia, some odd flutters, and what feel like skipped beats. I've been to see a cardiologist on all of this, they ran blood tests, an EKG, an echocardiogram, a bubble study echocardiogram, had me wear a halter monitor for like 10 days, and lastly did a right heart cathiterization. And they found nothing wrong...just Tachycardia. So, I'm on medication for that...beta blockers. And, unfortunately, I have a feeling that Beta Blockers are going to limit what I do as far as exercise goes. Can I walk for 15 to maybe 45 mins per day? Sure. That shouldn't be a problem. Can I jog at all? That's questionable as the beta blockers actually block or lessen a lot of those signals from your brain telling your heart to beat fast or heavy (kills the tachycardia and some of the flutters on the spot, but takes away your ability to do anything that would truly push your body).

So, I think walking is going to be it for me unless I just choose to stay off the beta blockers (and my day is not pleasant when I forget to take 'em). I appreciate the advice though.

Edit: Oh and it doesn't help that Beta Blockers are known to make you tired. And, it doesn't help, either, that the Klonopin I take for bad anxiety times/days honestly pretty much drops me straight to sleep (can't even focus on TV or movies anymore).

Edit again: I've had more than a few people tell me that I'm just fallin apart with all I have wrong with me, and I may be...so be it. But, at the same time, 99% of my problems could be caused by the fact that I'm overweight and the HIGH levels of stress at work...plus the anxiety brought on both by work and personal issues. If I could lose some weight, get this new guy trained up, and truly get my anxiety under control (be it through meds, therapy, or a combination of both), I think I'd be a lot better off. Would I be completely well? I can't say, but I think I'd be better off.

FlipsidE

JustJim · 11-17-2005, 05:01 PM

If you really want to write, I'd go with the idea of finding another job. I'm not sure that many people could spend so many hours on a computer and then start writing when the normal workday is done.

However, if the money is good and you'd have difficulty finding a better job, what about weekends. A couple of hours in the morning and a couple of hours at night, both Saturday and Sunday would give you the equivalent of four days writing two hours a day. I believe someone suggested a notebook for ideas that crop up during the normal working day, or you could keep a WP window open for that stuff and jot the odds and ends down there a few minutes at a time. The thing is, there must be time you can find somewhere, if you are really detemined to write.

Luck

FlipsidE · 11-17-2005, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustJim

If you really want to write, I'd go with the idea of finding another job. I'm not sure that many people could spend so many hours on a computer and then start writing when the normal workday is done.

You hit on a REALLY good point here that I wanted to bring up earlier but had completely forgotten about. I do work with computers all day long, and I work mostly with UNIX systems...in other words, all command line. So, from 8AM on, I'm typing. Be it on the UNIX server, training the new guy via IM, talking to friends via IM, posts on message boards, journal entries, or the sometimes up to 60+ e-mail messages I write per day, I'm kinda written out by the time quittin time comes around. So, again, I'm thinkin early in the day would be better than after quittin time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustJim

However, if the money is good and you'd have difficulty finding a better job, what about weekends. A couple of hours in the morning and a couple of hours at night, both Saturday and Sunday would give you the equivalent of four days writing two hours a day. I believe someone suggested a notebook for ideas that crop up during the normal working day, or you could keep a WP window open for that stuff and jot the odds and ends down there a few minutes at a time. The thing is, there must be time you can find somewhere, if you are really detemined to write.

The money is good...quite good as a matter of fact, and from what I hear, it's HIGHLY doubtful that I'd be able to find anything else around here that's close to what I enjoy for the money I make. Plus, I would like to stick close to my family...I love my parents to death, and I have two nieces that I'd like to watch grow up. So, while I have nothing tying me down here, I'd rather not move unless I have to.

Also, Saturday mornings are out of the question as I usually eat breakfast with my parents on Saturday mornings. After breakfast is questionable...all depends on what medications I'm on and whether I was bothered during the night to work on a problem. At night, about every other weekend, I spin at a club locally and am up til 5AM on Sunday mornings. So needless to say, on those Saturdays, I spend pretty much all my time up until the last minute sleeping or otherwise resting in bed.

Sundays...all depends. If I was up all night spinnin or up all night on-call, then Sunday mornings are most definitely shot. And, depending on how much (or really these days how little sleep I get), Sunday nights are usually pretty out of the question too as I'm showered an in bed usually by 8PM trying to wind down and finally get some sleep before the work week starts back up again.

FlipsidE

FlipsidE · 11-17-2005, 05:20 PM

As a quick follow-up, once again let me thank all of you for the great suggestions you've offered. And, thanks for reading my long winded posts. I really do love to write, and I want to try my hand at writing in a more organized manner.

But at the same time, you're finally getting the true feeling of the walls I constantly run into every single time I try to find time to write.

Anyway, it's 5:20PM...probably about time to go find something to eat cause I'm literally gettin close to half asleep now.

FlipsidE

Haruka · 11-17-2005, 07:48 PM

I don't know if this advice might be useful but perhaps you should lay down writing for a while. And also lay down the videogames.

Give yourself some time, you've just been given a lot of responsabilities that don't go along with your normal life style.

Find a balance. Stop doing all the things you know are not useful for now and sleep a few extra hours. As you get used to the stress - no, let me rephrase that - until the new guy learns the job well enough to be on his own and/or you release some of the stress from having to do so many things, look at the spare time you have and decide what you want to do with it. Would you like to play videogames? Write a bit? Surf the web? Go out? Take things one step at a time and don't try to do many things on a single day (or night), if you don't feel like writing or playing games then don't, you don't have to.

I don't think that advice on your Writing Fiction book works for you so I'd recommend you not to follow it.

I'm still in high school (not the american school system though, I don't live in the US) and sometimes the teachers leave us projects to do in a week or so, so let's say I have 5 projects due next Thursday and I still have a story written half-way, what do I do? I stop writing. For a while at least until I've finished all my projects (or the majority of them) and then continue writing the unfinished story. Right now my studies are more important than writing and I'm guessing that so is your job so don't write until you've sorted out a way to deal with stress.

But if you really really want to write and you know that you don't have enough time then write down your ideas on a notebook (or in Notepad) and wait until you have enough time to come back to them.

Oh dear, this advice came out longer than I expected ^_^U but I hope some of it works for you.

Breaker · 11-18-2005, 03:31 AM

It's easy, just quit your job, take what savings you have, and more to some small beach community in Kalimantan or somewhere (make sure you've got a travel adaptor for you laptop). You'll be so bored after four weeks of doing nothing but sitting on a beach, drinking coconut juice and watching sunsets that you'll soon be pumping out several thousand words a day. Before you know it you'll be finished and you can come back to work.

I'm not joking. It's kind of what I did, although I didn't do it for writing, just so that I could go travelling with my with and kid. But I've never written more than while I was travelling. Getting up with the sun, before the heat starts to build and just sitting on a deckchair on the beach. Headphones on, something chilled playing softly, watching the surf and pouring out everything I wanted to say. Something almost divine.