Thursday, June 4, 2009

Totally Bummed

Last week was the end of the twins’ two half days a week of preschool, aka my writing time. I enjoyed having two days to write, but by the time I dropped them off, sat in front of the computer, got into the mood, figured out where I’d left off, it was almost time to pick them up again. I’m exaggerating a little here, but not much. I averaged three double spaced pages during one of these sessions. At that rate, the twins would be in school before I finished this manuscript.

However, this week was supposed to be the start of something new. The twins would go to summer preschool for one full day a week. That day was supposed to be today. I was really looking forward to hours and hours of uninterrupted writing time. Well, that all came crashing down this morning with one little phone call. The teacher’s daughter may have strep throat. Understandably, she’s not taking any chances and had to cancel classes since she runs the preschool from her home. There goes my one writing day.

I know a lot of you write at night or early in the morning. That just doesn’t work for me. The twins zap every ounce of energy from me. Once they’re in bed, I basically relax on the couch. Sometimes, I’ll have enough brain energy to read, but even that’s rare.

If you’re like me, not getting the writing time you need just eats at you. My mood changes. My whole being is affected and not in a good way. So, yeah. You could say I’m totally bummed.

19 comments:

  1. I know how you feel when things change our day! But hopefully something else will work out and you will find some of that uninterrupted time:) I can't imagine how you do it now!

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  2. I know advice is the wrong thing here. I know it even as I type it. I know that sometimes we need to be bummed out. BUT!!!!! I have three kids, a full time job and a husband who HATES the click clack of the keyboard.

    So I bought a bunch of legal notebooks and I put them in the car and around the house and when I play video games and it is not my turn, I write. And when they are watching TV I write. I write at the counter while I wait for the water to boil or the meat to brown. I write while we wait at the doctors office or in the drive through line at the bank.

    Don't get me wrong... it is a PAIN in the butt to transcribe... but at least the thoughts come out of my head. XO

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  3. Well that's a bummer. Sounds like maybe the twins will need to start learning how to entertain themselves for a few hours per day, so Mom can get her writing time in.

    An unhappy mom makes for unhappy kids - I'm sure you'll figure out how to work some time in so everyone stays happy...good luck!

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  4. *hugs*

    Thats a bummer. It's hard to squeeze in that writing time, and jugling around the kids makes it harder. If you can't write a night, can you wake up early to write? I know it's not the best solution but if you think hard enough, you will find a way to work this out.

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  5. I know how you feel. I so hate it when my writing time is interrupted or I just waste it. Good luck! (I write everything out by hand in a notebook, too. I hate the typing part, but I love being able to write wherever I am.)

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  6. I know exactly what you mean...if I don't get to go with my "schedule" everything is thrown off and I get cranky!

    Sorry it didn't work out :(

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  7. Oh yeah. I totally "feel" your pain.
    I will experience it soon enough. :)

    Night time is not good for me either. But I'm thinking maybe I could try early morning writing. We'll see...

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  8. I'm sorry. I know how much that stinks.
    My hubby takes the kids for me so I can write because he says I'm a nicer person when I spend time offing a villain or two. =P

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  9. I totally understand that feeling. I am having to squeeze my writing time in during my lunch period because my daughter doesn't give me more than a few minutes of peace at home.

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  10. Aw! I'm sorry! I know how some days your just ready to write and then bam something comes up!

    I don't have any kids yet, but I know I try to write while my husband is at work because when he gets home he likes to play online and chat to friends and family via webcam.

    Don't worry though. Your story will not leave you for anything, so just wait it out and when you finally do get your day, you'll jam down with it because you've been waiting so long!

    Also I keep a handy journal in my purse to jot things down, even scenes. It is a pain to type into the cp but when the moment strikes it can't be avoided and to try to mimic the feeling and emotions to capture it, you just can't sometimes.

    Don't be bummed no more! I don't like it when people are upset or sad! =D There I smiled for you!

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  11. I know the feeling. Condolences, Mommy! Chin up. Before you know it, they'll be in first grade.

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  12. That is a total bummer. Not getting time for myself is the hardest part of motherhood for me. As much as we love our kids, we need a little bit of time for ourselves, for whatever reason. I totally understand not being able to write early in the morning or late at night. That doesn't work for me either. Hang in there - it will get easier.

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  13. So feel your pain. Could you swap off days with a friend so you both get a free day each week?

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  14. Hi! Many thanks for leaving your comment on my blog. I signed up as a follower and noticed I am your 100! Yipee!

    I total sympathise; finding time to write is a challenge in itself. Writing with young children must be almost impossible. My son has flown the nest, even though there are still so many distractions ...

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  15. Sorry to hear that you are bummed. But hey, getting anything done as a mom of little kids is amazing!

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  16. I've been there. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself. Although it seems like it's forever, the twins will be in school full time before you know it. It's really hard waiting.

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  17. Thanks for all your cyber hugs, kind words, and suggestions. My husband, love of my life, took care of the kids last night, so I could go to the library for 2 1/2 hours. The library closed, so I had to go home, which is fine because my brain pretty much shuts down by 8-9.

    Lynnette Labelle

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  18. I feel your pain. I am so glad I now have kids old enough to watch the little one when they're out of school.
    Matthew and I alone during the day equals a lot of playing Spiderman and me not writing. I'm loving the big kids out for the summer.
    Darn next August when school starts again and it back to the two of us.

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  19. I can see why you would need that little bit of time. And I am tapped out by night time. I could never write then.

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