Time is what we want most but what we use worst. ~William Penn
I’ve begun my next book. My deadline isn’t for several months, but a book has a lot of words and many scenes. So it is enough of a looming date, that I’m pushing myself into the ‘make my fingers touch the keyboard and crank out words and more words every day and hope they make sense’ mode.
When I first set out on a new story trail, I think maybe the hardest thing about writing a book is the beginning. At least I think that until I get about a hundred pages in and then I think the hardest thing about writing a book is trying to trust my story through the middle. Almost always, the endings of any of my stories haven’t put me into a panic but there’s always the first time for everything. I like my new characters, but I worry that I’m letting them be too slow to get to … well, whatever they need to get to. Could be, I need to know more about what they (my characters) need to get to. Or maybe they need me to quit dilly-dallying and hurry them along their story trails.
The hard thing about writing a book and meeting a deadline that I promised to meet is all the other things going on at the same time. Just because I’m writing a book doesn’t mean the laundry doesn’t need doing, the floors don’t need sweeping, or the dogs don’t need walking. I have to make time to do the church bulletins. I need to keep up with paying the bills and oh no, here comes tax filing time. Family time is essential, and then, it is basketball season. So, I have to watch a few ballgames. I could name all sorts of things that can interfere with keyboard time.
Even writing stuff can get in the way of getting a new book out of my head onto my computer screen. Sometimes edits of an upcoming release show up just as I get going on the new story. I want to keep sharing thoughts with you here. I love sending out newsletters and doing giveaways. I like talking with my reading friends here and on Facebook. Those things are fun and important to a writer too. Sometimes you need to do some shouting and writing about that new release. If people don’t know you have a new book coming, then they won’t look for it to read.
Oh, and in case you didn’t know, I have a book releasing the first week of May. I am so excited about you getting to read my showboat story, In the Shadow of the River. If you’re interested in pre-ordering it, you can find Buy Links on my website. A great place to buy a print copy is Baker Book House. That’s a great place to buy any Christian fiction or non-fiction you want. They do have a super deal on pre-orders. In the Shadow of the River is 40% off with free shipping if you order it before it releases. Then the discount goes down to 30%, I think.
All right, I’ve made sure you know I have a book coming. 🙂 But I’ve finished the work on it. I’m now elbow deep in a new story that I need to have written at about the same time In the Shadow of the River releases.
I’ve always wanted to be able to do it all, but sometimes I can’t. And ouch! It’s hard to admit that to myself. Br. Fred, my preacher for over 35 years and our friend even longer who now doesn’t have to worry about time in heaven, used to say everybody has the same amount of hours in a day. It’s just how we choose to use that time the Lord has given us. If I can use my hours, days, weeks and months wisely and not to spin in place worrying about doing this or that and just do it, I’ll be fine.
Five pages a day. I can do that. Lots of writers spill out many more words a day than that. But you know, none of us are “lots of writers” or “lots of any particular worker or person.” We are unique individuals with our own abilities and talents, and we have to figure out what works best for us. Not what works best for those other people. And if the five pages I write each day turn out not to have the right words, then I can edit them the next day and keep trucking.
How do you feel about using the time the Lord has given you?
Comments 16
I usually make time for the things I want to do, and put off things I don’t want to do. If I make a list of things I need to do, I’m more likely to get it done. It’s a good feeling to check off the things I have done.
I love to read, so I make time for that.
Looking forward to your next book.
Author
I’ve been trying to give myself some reading time every day, Marlene, but I don’t always get that done. Sometimes chores get in the way. Sometimes my writing gets in the way when I don’t get my set quota written earlier in the day. But a writer needs to read. That’s like mind exercise.
I love checking things off my to do list too, and I’m hoping to get some things checked off this week. I hope to get a newsletter out before Valentine’s Day. I need to come up with a giveaway. If my new book was already out and not several months for release, it would make a good Valentine giveaway with that pretty red cover.
Sometimes I put off things I don’t particularly like doing, like cleaning out a closet, vacuuming out the car, or getting tax information together. I have to be in a certain mood to do these things like they ought to be done. I do better on things that have to be done from day to day like washing clothes, dishes, cooking, sweeping, general cleaning. Some things I just don’t ever get in the mood for, then I just have to do it whether I want to or not. I guess I’m not very good at using my time wisely.
Author
I certainly put things off that I don’t like to do, Connie. I put off cleaning out my closet for uh, several years. Not one of my favorite things. And taxes? I might never get that done if it wasn’t for that April 15th deadline. LOL. There are some things that one never gets in the mood to do. Sometimes writing is that way too. In order to get a book written, you have to sit down at the keyboard and dig out words when you’d much rather be sitting in a reading chair reading other writers’ words.
I think the most telling statement is what you said:
“We are unique individuals with our own abilities and talents, and we have to figure out what works best for us. ” The world always thinks it has a better path or timing for us and God has it all under control. We just need to be true to Him and follow His leading.
Author
That’s great advice, Cindy Sue, to be true to the Lord and remember that He has a plan for all of us. But sometimes we do forget to stop and listen. After all the books I’ve written, I should know what works best for me, but sometimes I let doubt creep in. I guess that’s only human, especially when what you’re trying to do takes creative effort. I read a book by a well known and best-selling author talking about her writing and each book she worried that she had lost the magic to turn in an acceptable book. I think that’s just normal writing thinking for a lot of us.
I try to prioritize with the most important things are first, the things that have to be done are second, then things I want to do are last. They are my motivator! I like to check things off the list. If I can finish the day with one or more checked off the list, I feel good about my day. Things not checked get carried over to the next day.
Author
I do like checking things off my to do list, Marilyn. In fact, sometimes I’ll write something on the list that I know I have to get done that day. It helps me feel more successful. The trouble with having those fun things on the bottom of my list, I sometimes don’t get to them. But there’s always tomorrow and as my father-in-law used to say if there isn’t, it won’t matter that I didn’t get it done.
The older I get, the slower I seem to move and so it becomes even more important for me to focus on using my time wisely. I also need to be realistic when setting my goals for any particular day so that I don’t become frustrated at the end of the day when I still see items on my “to do” list that I was not able to accomplish. I’m finding that my day goes better when I remember to begin with prayer, asking God to show me what goals He wants me to strive to reach that day, empowered by His strength and wisdom and patience.
Author
Beginning a day with prayer has to make a day go better, Roberta. I need to remember do that before I put my fingers on my keyboard. I do have a problem with the realistic part and always think I can get more done than I usually can. But I do have to focus the next few months on writing my new story. Focus is a good word. Realistic is good too and very nice to mark things off a to do list.
I’m juggling today, trying to decide what stays in the air and what does not.
Author
I’m a terrible juggler, Diana. I hope you didn’t drop too many balls. I didn’t manage to get some of the things I hoped to done today, but I did get some things done. So, maybe next day.
I don’t always use my time constructively, I admit that. When I was younger I was better at it…as I’ve aged well let’s just say I’ve slacked off. I think you’re amazing to do all the things you do! I can’t wait for your new book in May or the one you are now working on!
Author
I am excited about readers reading my showboat story, Pamela. It’s a little different from other books I’ve written, and I stepped into some unfamiliar territory (for me) in the acting realm. But it was fun researching showboat families. They were a unique bunch of people.
I’m getting slower as I add on the years too. But I do think I can get this new story written.
I try to use my time wisely but I’m not always successful. Thank you for sharing. Your new book sounds amazing. Blessings
Author
I doubt if anybody is successful in using their time wisely all the time, Lucy. And I do hope you’ll think In the Shadow of the River is a good read when you get a chance to read it.