This just made me laugh, especially after Erynn's true-confessions-mommy-post on Monday. How true is this? Sort of like with Santa Clause ;)
But aren't you glad we get to play a part? Even amidst the chaos, the tissues, the sippy cups, the throw-up-on-the-side-of-the-Arkansas-mountain (yes, read my blog on my personal blog from Tuesday www.betsy-ann.blogspot.com) and the tears and mismatched socks and spit-up stains and lost stuffed animals and the watching of Lilo and Stitch 72 times in one weekend...we are parents. We are needed. We are even better than Santa and the Easter Bunny :)
And hey, even if you don't have kids, you can relate to this, because everyone needs a little outsourcing help. If the Easter Bunny can't do it alone, how can we?? ;)
So think. Is there anything you can do today to allow more time to your writing? Can you delegate a chore or task or responsibility to another willing soul? Carve out more time for what you're supposed to be doing for you?
I've had SO many people tell me they feel any time the church asks them to do something, or anytime there is a good cause at stake, they think they HAVE to say yes - even if they truly don't have time, or even if they don't feel it's right for them. Because who can say no to a women's minister or church pastor or sundayschool teacher in need?
Here's the thing - if you take on a task that God hasn't intended for you, you're not only making yourself miserable but you are also robbing the intended person of that blessing. So think twice. I'm not saying never volunteer again! But pray about your time and your responsibilities and commit it to God. That way, whether you're a mommy at home grooving to a Disney movie and heating up hot dogs, or you're a full time employee struggling to find time to write, or you're a stay at home writer overwhelmed with people who think you have an abundance of free time, you can know that your time is in God's hands and you'll know when to say yes and when to say NO.
And maybe you can sneak some Easter candy in the meantime! Because outsourcing has perks... ;)
Great post! Do you think it's good to practice short stories before attempting a novel?
ReplyDeleteDo you have any advice on how to write a short story?
-suri
Suri, I'm not sure. I guess that depends on you, the writer. For me personally, it wouldn't help. I tend to write long, so it was actually easier for me to write a full length novel than a short story or novella. However if that works for you, give it a shot! Won't hurt. It could help teach you about pacing and beginning, middles and ends. But if its nothing you really WANT to do, I say don't waste your time and just focus on writing a full length novel that is more targeted to the industry's word count preferences. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! Im so excited to have found this site
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