I am joining Kate Motaung in a discussion about the book, On Being A Writer. Today, we’re talking about Chapter 2 of the book, On Being a Writer: 12 Simple Habits for a Writing Life that Lasts. Choosing a topic to write on this post: What have been some of the challenges when trying to manage your time and include writing in your list of priorities?
Challenge number one what started as a hobby has become compelling choice. I write because I feel that this is what the Lord wants me to do. I started writing a blog so I could enter in a blog hop. My writing was in response to a given topic and my blog was Diana157@wordpress.com. Approximately a year ago, I went with wordpress.org and purchased my domain name. So I became a serious blogger. So with that commitment it is no longer a hobby but a choice that I have to write.
Challenge number two is that I work full-time so daily I steal moments to write. At this moment, I am at lunch and I read the chapter last night and today I am writing on the above topic. Usually I write of an evening forsaking watching television. My writing moved to a top priority just under my job and quiet time with the Lord.
Challenge number three is still needing time to be with my husband and the time for caring for my mother-in-law. She loves on my days off to go to the thrift stores and J C Penny. So, Monday my day off we mad a mad dash to Target and I took her to lunch. As a wife, daughter-in-law and nurse, there are still things I need to do that trump my desire to write. T
Challenge number four is my health. Times I am down with a migraine that I am not able to see much less write. Those are the times I am most frustrated. Another frustration is when my writing to others is a hobby and I am not understood that I have a story to finish or a thought to expound, a lesson on a bible verse that is compelling me. I am unable to really think about anything else until I hit the publish button.
So my desire to write and my need to write now match and are top on my priority list of planning and even stealing moments like this writing while I am at lunch. Writing everyday is my priority even if I do not hit the publish button, whether it is writing my prayers, meeting my online obligations, or my blog. I am writing. Someday I will be known for my writing. Beloved, have you ever thought of writing?
4 Comments
Helen
August 20, 2015 at 11:21 amLove how you mention your need to write and then your need to write now: I think that’s why we get upset and frustrated sometimes, because sometimes we ‘must do it now’ is the only response, when we work out an idea or develop a turn of phrase or a sequence….and that more often than not doesn’t fit in with our (over-busy) schedules…unfortunately!
Diana
August 22, 2015 at 2:45 pmDear Helen, you nailed it. I had to work today when I would rather have been writing. Blessings Diana
Gabriele
August 23, 2015 at 3:10 amYou have made some really good forward movement choices to declare your seriousness with your calling as a writer. The challenges are ever present. Wendell Barry once said “The real values of art and life are perhaps best defined and felt in the tension between them.”
So, if there is tension value rises and we see better what is needful today. I enjoyed your post very much.
Diana
August 24, 2015 at 2:24 pmDear Gabriele, Thank you for the quote from Wendell Barry. I loved your comments. Blessings Diana