Hard to find time to write - Page 3 - Writers Forum

Mike C · 08-30-2007, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilasir Maroa

Just saying "Give up." is not the way to go about it.

Maybe we can reschedule the OP's life for him? Pat him on the back and say soothing things? He needs to make some decisions. If he wants to write badly enough, it'll rise up the list of priorities. All the time it's at the bottom, he's as committed to writing as he is unicycling. He should face the fact that basketball or whatever is more fun, and forget about writing.

When my main priorities were getting laid and doing drugs, my writing took a back seat. When writing became my priority, and I was able to spend serious time on it, I got published. Now my businesses are by necessity in the driving seat, I don't get to write much.

Spot the correlation.

ClancyBoy · 08-30-2007, 02:08 AM

What are you saying, that you don't get laid anymore?

Hobbes · 08-30-2007, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

He needs to make some decisions. If he wants to write badly enough, it'll rise up the list of priorities. All the time it's at the bottom, he's as committed to writing as he is unicycling.

All you really had to say was this. Telling someone to give up - whether in jest, in seriousness, or in reverse psychology - is rather silly. What you wrote here was accurate without being demeaning.

Mike C · 08-30-2007, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClancyBoy

What are you saying, that you don't get laid anymore?

Of course not. I'm married.

Mike C · 08-30-2007, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hobbes

All you really had to say was this. Telling someone to give up - whether in jest, in seriousness, or in reverse psychology - is rather silly. What you wrote here was accurate without being demeaning.

I wasn't jesting. There was no reverse psychology. Nor was it demeaning. If everything else in your life is more important than writing, don't write. If you want to develop your physique, go to the gym. If you want to develop your writing, write. Spend less time doing other things to do what's important. If it's not that important, don't write. How simple do I have to make it?

Hobbes · 08-30-2007, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

I wasn't jesting. There was no reverse psychology. Nor was it demeaning. If everything else in your life is more important than writing, don't write. If you want to develop your physique, go to the gym. If you want to develop your writing, write. Spend less time doing other things to do what's important. If it's not that important, don't write. How simple do I have to make it?

If you think telling people to give up isn't demeaning, we're never going to agree on this, Mike. And that's all right with me.

sdavis2k · 08-30-2007, 09:47 AM

I scribble down ideas, outlines, even snippets of conversations my characters will have in a notebook. I pretty much always have a notebook and pen handy. I find I can only write when I have an idea. If i try and say from 7-8pm every night I will write for an hour, I end up writing rubbish. So I make time to write when I am inspired.

I guess all that is a form of outlining though I sometimes start in the middle and work my way forwards or backwards first.

MEShammas · 08-31-2007, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

I wasn't jesting. There was no reverse psychology. Nor was it demeaning. If everything else in your life is more important than writing, don't write. If you want to develop your physique, go to the gym. If you want to develop your writing, write. Spend less time doing other things to do what's important. If it's not that important, don't write. How simple do I have to make it?

No worries Mike I know you were trying to be helpful. In any case, I took Captain's advice and wake up early to write (10,000 words in a week).

Thanks for all your advice guys!

Ilasir Maroa · 08-31-2007, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

Maybe we can reschedule the OP's life for him? Pat him on the back and say soothing things? He needs to make some decisions. If he wants to write badly enough, it'll rise up the list of priorities. All the time it's at the bottom, he's as committed to writing as he is unicycling. He should face the fact that basketball or whatever is more fun, and forget about writing.

When my main priorities were getting laid and doing drugs, my writing took a back seat. When writing became my priority, and I was able to spend serious time on it, I got published. Now my businesses are by necessity in the driving seat, I don't get to write much.

Spot the correlation.

No need to get sarcastic. He should reprioritize if he wants to get writing done. He needs to make the decision. I agree; I just think you could have said it another way. But not everyone is going to say: "Of course I'm not giving up writing..." I believe there's a middle ground between what you said, and a bunch of useless pats on the back.

MEShammas · 09-01-2007, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilasir Maroa

No need to get sarcastic. He should reprioritize if he wants to get writing done. He needs to make the decision. I agree; I just think you could have said it another way. But not everyone is going to say: "Of course I'm not giving up writing..." I believe there's a middle ground between what you said, and a bunch of useless pats on the back.

Thanks!

I've taken Captain's advice and now wake up a bit earlier than usual every day, writing and editing until its time to go to school.

Thanks for your advice to.