Want to hear me complain for a minute? Sure, it's not very "professional" of me, but neither is working in pyjama pants, cussing like a sailor at laundry piles or having pink hair... so here we go. I figure some of you probably deal with this too. Let's think of this as therapy, okay?
I mentioned last night that having three kids on summer vacation and a menagerie of pets makes it difficult for me to sit down and write, and I was told that if I wanted to write badly enough, I'd reorganize my priorities and just do it.
I don't know what I am supposed to cut out to make writing a higher priority. I don't watch TV, I don't spend hours shopping or web surfing or playing video games.
Am I supposed to tell the kids that I am too busy to hear about their days, or that I simply cannot find the time to make dinner? Am I supposed to leave a vomited hairball on the floor until I have written at least 500 words?
I'm really not sure how some of you do it-- writing/promoting is a full time gig, and so is raising a family, and honestly, so is maintaining a house.
I'm asking those of you who have found that precious, elusive balance: what do I do to make both my work and family time productive and separate?
Another trick is one part of the house, whether it be office, bedroom, back yard, front porch, doesn't matter, should always be your space to write in. It should be off limits to everyone else while you are writing.
I hope this helps.