I think I'm having a hard time with motivation lately. I'm not very motivated to blog. *gasp* I'm not very motivated to clean my house. And I think I figured out the culprit.
Writing.
When I am in the writing mode (i.e. working on a novel), everything else takes a back seat, including, but not limited to, my children. And my husband. And maybe some friends. Oh, and don't even think about asking me to make dinner. That's what corn dogs and chicken nuggets are for. Awful, I know.
I do feel guilty...maybe for a small moment until I immerse myself in the next scene of my WIP. If only I had a clone to do my blogging, and little fairies to clean my house, and a gourmet chef to cook healthy, grease-free meals, it would be the perfect life. Right?
So, here's a question for you...When you are neck-deep in a novel, do you shirk your other responsibilities? Do you become crazy obsessed like I do? I'd love to know...
Now on to What's Up Wednesday!
What's Up Wednesday is a weekly blog hop created by sisters Jamie Morrow and Erin Funk to help writers connect on this writing journey.
WHAT I'M READING
Nothing. Might have something to do with that crazy obsession of mine...
WHAT I'M WRITING
I finished the first draft of my YA dystopian novel, the first book in a three book series! Yay! The novel weighs in at 91,000 words, but I want to rewrite the ending. I'm finding that this ending is tricky because I want to give enough that the reader is satisfied, but I have to leave some questions unanswered to entice the reader to want to read the next book.
WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW
Other authors. And their successes. Last week was my week to host on Unicorn Bell, the writing and critique blog, and I had the opportunity to interview some AMAZING authors. They inspire me, AND all of YOU inspire me. So, thank you.
WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO
The Frozen party for my five-year-old is drawing nigh and YIKES! I've been too busy writing and not preparing for this party. Time to kick it into high gear!
Also, this is the last week of school for my young'un's, so summer
Ciao for now!
Good luck with everything - from the writing to the Frozen Party!
ReplyDeleteAnd hey, chicken nuggets sound good to me. :)
Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
Thanks! Yeah, I like chicken nuggets. Don't know why my husband is complaining... :)
DeleteYeah, some things do go on the back burner. (My wife won't argue with that!) I wouldn't stress it. Only so many hours in the day and you have your priorities. Do keep the family fed though, just so you can have some peace.
ReplyDeleteGood advice! With full bellies, maybe they'll let me write without interruption...Here's to wishful thinking! :)
DeleteWhen I get into the writing groove, yeah, other things do take a back seat. I didn't even post on my blog last Week because I had other writing to do. But I am getting better at making sure the other stuff gets done and not feeling guilty when I don't write.
ReplyDeleteYes, my blog is one of those first things to slip when I'm in the groove. It's all about balance...just need to figure out how to find it! :)
DeleteI wish I had the ability to BALANCE. But it just isn't wired into my genetic code. So I write until my house is a shambles, and then I work on it until I realize my family needs me and then I play with them until I realize I'm about to go crazy from not writing for so long...I'm learning to live with myself. Good luck getting the party ready!
ReplyDeleteBALANCE! Yes! Finding balance is the trickiest part of this whole thing.
DeleteI am guilty. My son busted me writing on my Kindle Word program during a school assembly. All I could say was I only did it during the boring parts and intermission. I am bad. When I am close to the end, it feels more like an obsession and everyone suffers. You ought to see my hair!
ReplyDeleteHaha! A school assembly? I haven't tried that one! I'll whip out my laptop in the car (preferably not while I'm driving), piano lessons, outside while the kids play (which has turned out to be unfruitful), or any other place where I won't stick out TOO much. Love that you were writing during the assembly. That is dedication! :)
DeleteI am the same way. Although I don't have kids or a husband, but a lot of things do take the back seat, such as eating. lol
ReplyDeleteYes! Eating! Wish that happened to me more though, then I would look like I did before I started having kids! :)
DeleteDo I get crazy obsessed when writing? How many ways are there to say YES! My house starts to look like a bomb went off and my lawn turns into a hayfield and, oh, it's time to get dinner already?? It seems like I can either write or keep a clean house, but not both. Drives me nuts. If you ever find any of those little cleaning and cooking fairies please send them my way. :)
ReplyDeleteHaha! I will! :)
DeleteI have been in the writing zone before and lost track of time. I would start when my boyfriend left for work and wouldn't look up until he came home from work and then we were both shocked. I have missed meals and other things too. So, I totally get it.
ReplyDeleteNow that is a writing marathon! Awesome! I dream of being able to do that. To have a few days where all I do is write without any interruptions. Man, what I could accomplish! :)
DeleteHa! That all sounds perfectly normal to me. Priorities, man, priorities. If everyone is healthy, fed (chicken nuggets or pizza or whatever), and writing is needed, I say we're allowed to put everything else in the back burner. Come see the loads of laundry I have piled up, you'll see you're not the only one lol.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear it! I feel better already! :)
DeleteI think, not just writing, but anyone who involves themselves in some artistic field would immerse themselves to the point where nothing else matters. My hubby will do that and I won't see him while he works on an art piece. Leftovers are always good and so is the wonderful crockpot for that matter:) Good luck with the Frozen party
ReplyDeleteThe crockpot! Such a great idea! I don't know why I don't use it more often. It makes perfect sense and all it takes is a little planning and voila, I have a delicious meal. Thanks for the idea! Now I need to get some yummy crock pot recipes... :)
DeleteLove it! I think it's great to immerse yourself, it is when something brilliant happens.
ReplyDeleteI don't get immersed in my writing. I need breaks along the way. When I'm at it too long, I get a little crazy. But that's just me.
ReplyDeleteJust tell your hubby when you're a big time author, that he won't regret having had to eat a single chicken nugget. Lol! I'm always saying things like that to mine. He's yet to believe me though... ;)
ReplyDeleteHaha! That's right! I keep trying to tell him that...but I think he thinks I'm just blowing smoke! :)
DeleteSounds crazy busy round your house. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Shout with Emaginette
Yes! It is! :)
DeleteI think it's a positive that you focus all your being onto your writing. I'm always doing too many things at once (writing books, mainting two blogs, doing gigs for film festivals) with the result that my books take a loooong time to finish.
ReplyDeleteYou sound busy, also!! You have a good excuse! :)
DeleteIf you're writing, then I think it is fine to shirk some responsibilities. :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Thank you! :)
DeleteIt's amazing that you are writing a whole book!! I have never been able to think of plots, etc, but I admire all of you who do! And the house will wait and chicken nuggets are a kid's dream.=) PS. How do I change the comments on my blog so that I can reply to that specific comment? Instead of a long thread? Do you get what I mean? Also, I am still working on my liebster. Gotta happen! And I would love to guest post/interview for your blog if you need. I couldn't find your email address! Phew, sorry that was a long one.=)
ReplyDeleteHmm, I'm not sure. Mine just does it automatically...Under every comment it has a place to reply or delete. Does yours have that? Are you blogger or wordpress?
DeleteHey, Kristin! I couldn't find your email, but I wanted to tell you if you're interested in a possible CP partnership to email me. =) I'm at leandrawallaceatgmaildotcom. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I just emailed you! :)
DeleteGo you! Keep on writing!
ReplyDeleteLOL. You notice it took me this long to get to your blog. =)
ReplyDeleteI've been doing this long enough, I've worked out a system. The kids are all in charge of dinner one night a week, and my hubby has two nights. I cook the other two. Chores are established so that we're all doing our part on a daily basis and I don't go insane because there are no clean dishes, mounds of laundry, or crumbs all over my kitchen. When I got published, we decided we had to work out a system that worked on a permanent basis. I've got one blogging day a week, two critiquing slots, two book slots, and regular writing time--but I don't get through the kids home schooling unless I do that FIRST. SO, do the things that HAVE to be done first, then reward yourself with your writing. That's my advice. =)
It's great when the writing is going good. But yeah, everything else suffers. =D
ReplyDeleteHehe, had me going there for a second! I thought you weren't motivated to write. :) Since my children are small (3yrs and 8mos), I feel really guilty when I shirk my responsibilities. My son can't quite feed himself yet. It winds up in his hair, not his mouth. I look forward to the day I can ignore both (because they are capable of entertaining themselves, of course, not because I *want* to ignore them) and just focus on writing.
ReplyDeleteHow did I miss this post??? I'm sorry about that!
ReplyDeleteMan, I think that obsessed state is one of the best, and most fun, when I'm writing. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does, I ride it as long as I can. I get so much done, and even better, I have a great time doing it! I say enjoy it...and besides, corn dogs are delicious ;)
No need to feel guilty over writing. Writing should reenergize you. You'll make the time for other stuff, one way or the other. I mean...you kind of have to:)
ReplyDeleteI'm not a mother or a wife, so I don't have all the same responsibilities as you do, but I find it helpful to schedule my days, especially when I'm home with my family. That way, the people who depend on you can know that you will be writing for so many hours at this time. It really helps me to block off portions of time, so that I don't feel guilty, and so that I can work efficiently!
ReplyDeleteI get that way too when the writing is flowing, but the problem is that I'm not able to sustain that level of excitement throughout a whole novel. It ebbs and flows for me, and I go through stages when I'd rather do housework than work on the novel! I went through a "flowing" stage earlier in June, and I was the same way. I didn't do anything but write. And when I had any free time, I reread what I wrote, basking in the glow. It didn't last for long, but it was nice while it did.
ReplyDeleteI don't necessarily shirk my responsibilities, but I get seriously moody when I want to write but can't.
ReplyDeleteHello Kristin! Well, once I get into my writing then yes, everything else goes to hell. However, that always niggles me for I am a person who likes to be on top of everything in order to work properly and not feel guilty. This is impossible which then creates stress and leading nicely onto procrastination. Sometimes, I find that mundane things like ironing or housework actually help my creative brown unleash and ideas come better so I take breaks to do those things and it's a win/win/.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your writing and everything!
ReplyDeletewww.modernworld4.blogspot.com