Finding Time

So dear Readers, how do you find time to do what you love?  What makes you sing inside, what puts a swing in your step, what puts the “ape” in your apricot? 

As some of you know, my New Year’s Resolution stems from a singular definition of the word itself: the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones. Thought I’d keep it simple this year.  Simple is good. I can DO simple—right?  I figured it would help me take a tremendous task like reaching my dream of becoming a published author, (previously referred to in my blogs as “swallowing a rope”) and break it down into small, manageable bits and pieces.  My simple, aging brain can handle that, right?

I think I harbor what must be a rather skewed view of the rest of the world. I envision all of you writers (insert soap makers, musicians, knitters, sewers, etc.) sitting happily engrossed in your craft, a cup of tea at your side, nary a care in the world—in fact you have all the time in the world, right?  It must be only me that can never get to the computer because I have a sink full of dishes, a job that eats up my time, a feisty toddler who can't leave me alone for a blessed minute and a pre-teen in need of a scintillating homeschool lesson.  (Oh—and my husband, did I forget about him again?)   Man—how did I end up such a martyr?  Yoiks!

So today, in the spirit of my resolution, I decided to “simply” Google “finding time to write”, and what an education I received.  I am not alone!  You are out there, dealing with bills, garbage, family, phone-calls, dirty-diapers, fighting children that terrorize you whilst you try to hammer out a few elegantly placed words, all speelled correktly. (There I go again—blaming my lame typing on my children.)

When I read Kristen Jett’s blog at YA Stands (about finding time to write) it really put it into perspective again.  Keep it simple.  Break it down. Breathe.  Quit thinking the world is against you (just your children), and shut up and write already.  Baby steps…Baby Steps….

So Readers, when do you make time for your special something?  Do you stalk your novel in the middle of the night when everyone else is fast asleep?  Do you sit in your car while your kid is at piano lessons and write the next great song? Do you outline your next chapter while you are supposed to be in Biology class?  I would love to hear from you.