One blog I read almost every day is Dean Wesley Smith. For those who don’t know, he has been a professional fiction writer since the mid-80s. Over the past two years, he’s blogged about his day every day without fail.
Would I do this? My first thought was “how boring that would be!” There’s a reason I write fiction, people. 😀 Most of my days are pretty much the same, and would not be of interest to anyone reading.
Then I realized most of Smith’s days are also the same; he just does different things than I. For instance, he goes to the bank and the post office every day, and runs errands for his businesses (he owns a publishing company and a memorabilia shop, among other things). Then he goes to meetings at the publishing company, works on stuff for his workshops, goes home, eats dinner, does the dishes, watches TV, takes a nap… and finally gets around to writing about 12 hours or so after he got up that day. And he writes a LOT in that time.
Isis chooses to lie like this while DH watches TV
So what do I do? It turns out, my days are not so different. I go to my day job (Smith considers the work he does for his businesses his day job). After I get home, I play games on my tablet for a little while as DH watches TV. Then dinner, cleanup (if DH or DD cooks), the feed the turtle and gerbils (Isis eats when we do). After that, I get to the writing, which is 12-13 hours after I got up. I don’t have the kind of productivity Smith has, as I’m still juggling marketing and promo in with that, while he does those things as part of his publishing company work. But when I am writing new words, I can usually get 1,000 in an hour, which is about what he does. (He has way more energy than me, so puts more time in.) I’m not comparing, that’s just what I can do.
Usually, no writing happens on Monday. That’s when I pay bills and do the bookkeeping for my husband’s businesses. The first and last of the months are usually the busiest–that’s when we collect rent, and when the bank statements need to be reconciled. Sometimes I am able to squeeze writing in mid-month.
Sometimes other things happen, like family commitments. There’s some of that coming up this week. The thing with that is, to just roll with it as much as I can and don’t get annoyed that I can’t do the writing on those days. But no matter what else is going on, I usually manage to read a bit before I go to bed. Which brings me to…
What I read this week: Miracle Pie by Edie Ramer. This is a contemporary romance, something that’s normally not my thing. But I loooooove Edie Ramer’s books, and while I usually prefer some suspense or speculative elements in my contemporary fiction, her Miracle books have just enough magic in them to keep my interest (I would consider them magical realism). Also, this book has a dog in it. 🙂 Highly recommended!
ROW80 Update: My goal for the past two weeks was to get the edits done from my beta readers, who basically serve as first-round editors (my editor says my manuscripts are among the cleanest she sees; this is why.) I got them done, so that’s a win! For this week, I need to review the outline for the new, related novella to see if there’s anything I need for continuity’s sake, then send it off to my editor. Newsletter subscribers will get a sneak peek later this week (or maybe next, depending on the family stuff coming up). So if you want in on that, sign up here, and get a free copy of my short story “Time’s Holiday” as a bonus! I won’t spam you and you can unsubscribe anytime if it’s not your thing.
What about you–what’s your typical week like? Do you have trouble sometimes fitting in the things you do because you want to? Have you ever seen a dog lie on someone’s lap like Isis? 😀 Whether you’re a writer or not, how are you doing on whatever goals you might have? Please share in the comments–I’d love to hear from you!
Jennette Marie Powell writes stories about ordinary people in ordinary places, who do extraordinary things and learn that those ordinary places are anything but. In her Saturn Society novels, unwilling time travelers do what they must to make things right... and change more than they expect. You can find her books at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kobo, iTunes, and more.
My day job is Monday 8 to 7 and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 8 to 5:30 or so. Because I usually have Fridays off I try to get my writing done then. Also, the hubby works different shifts, so when he is on second shift, I try to write when I am alone those evenings. Or that’s how it works when it is not summer outside and I have to take as much advantage of the nice weather as I can, because we have winter what seems like six months out of the year!
So that’s my typical week. And though my dog doesn’t sleep on the hubby like that, our cat does. But he is only about 11 pounds.
Have a great week!
My typical day starts with a cup of coffee. I’ll watch a few minutes of TV while I eat breakfast, then I’ll read a writing book or do some research for a story.
After reading a chapter or two I’ll power on my laptop and get to work, dividing my time between working on a story, or responding to blog comments, visiting other blogs, checking in on social media, responding to emails, etc.
I usually end my day with a final writing sprint, followed by a long walk with the dog. In between all of those things I’ll spend time with my pets, feed them, take the dog for shorter walks, pay bills, do the dishes, etc. I try to do most of my chores in the evenings, but sometimes I’ll take a few minutes out of my day to finish some random housekeeping task. It all sounds fairly chaotic, but as long as I’m meeting my word count goals, I’m happy with it.
Have a great week, Jennette!
Well it sounds like routine, but it’s productive and it works. That’s what matters. As long as stuff continues to get done, that’s the main thing.
I haven’t developed a routine yet here at the Baer House, but I have been doing a LOT of laundry. Laundry, laundry, laundry. At least it’s sheets and towels, so easy folding and stuff, but wow – the laundry.
When my office finally gets set up, I plan to get back into the writing saddle. I had to tell myself that it was okay to not write for a few weeks while we moved and got settled in, but that has to be extended because my office is being used for storage and there’s not room to spread out and get organized. Until the previous owner gets his stuff out, I’m kind of stuck. My supplies and books are in boxes somewhere in the basement waiting to get back to work.
I’m going to check out that book you read. It sounds like it might be right up my alley. Thanks for showing the cover.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Chris, we have to take advantage of that alone time, don’t we! btw I tried to comment on your blog, but Blogger ate my comment. 🙁
Denise, your day sounds like my rare weekend day when I don’t have to go anywhere. I love those!
Patricia, you must have tons of laundry at a B&B! But that means you have business, right? 😀 Hope it’s going well, and get to the writing once you get settled in!
My friend’s dog Vala, is about as big as Isis (part mastiff, pit bull, and boxer(?)) and she thinks she’s a lap dog. It must be the larger the dog, the more prone to be a lap dog. 🙂 I shou;d get a picture to share. They are both beautiful dogs, Vala and Isis, I mean.
I find that I get most of my work done during the week, even if I have to juggle my schedule because meetings or rehearsals and the like. Usually weekends I am out and about, doing things and hanging with people, thus I get less done. A long as I am productive during the week I feel less bad about being unplugged Saturday and/or Sunday.
Goals are actually coming along. I finally found a rhythm to my editing and I write most days, so overall it’s good. Helps that I can write on my porch.
This year, I’m a disorganized mess b/c I have so many family things going on, so I squeeze in whatever I can whenever I can. As long as I stay focused when I’m working, I’m happy with my progress. Full speed ahead, right, Jennifer? 🙂
Cindy, I would love to see a pic of your friend’s dog! They really don’t have any idea how big they are, do they?
Sheila, family comes first in my book, so that’s definitely when it’s OK to let the writing slip! Hope your family stuff is good stuff!
My dog doesn’t lie on laps so much anymore, but he LOVES to be upside down. He’s a pit bull viszla mix, and pitties seem to have a penchant for seeing the world from that angle…
My typical day involves #onegoodcup – Amy Kennedy’s brilliant idea. It tends to be a quiet time of everyone doing their own thing, here, and I’ve evolved a sequence that takes an hour or so.
I start by writing in my intentions journal, to the current prompt. I then move to my #oegoodcup journal, and freewrite whatever comes to mind (today, a reflection on a camping weekend, and small steps toward reacclimating). I follow this with enrichment reading – right now, Writer Mama, a book on freelancing while raising a family; my T’ai chi directiory, and Mediatating with Mandalas (I read and meditate to several each day).
This routine may be and often is interrupted by kids who want hugs, or chatting with them or my Accomplice, but that’s OK, because family is the most important to me,too. Once I’m done, I make the bed, usually followed with a few minutes of t’ai chi practice, and then I fire up my laptop and work on a variety of blogging, writing, revising, and homeschool reporting projects, interspersed with some hometending and family time. Unschooling older kids means I have a good deal of time for my own things while they’re absorbed in theirs, but also that life may take unexpected turns, so I’m generally prepared to set things aside if need be…
I usually have a break in the evening, since I seem to hit a creative lull between 4-7pm, and another after my Accomplice gets home, for reconnection time, and to take a night walk with my 11 year old daughter, a tradition we’ve both come to love.
After the house settles, I usually spend several more hours on writing type things, because I tend to be a night owl and not sleep as much as the rest of the family, and I love the feel of the house then – very inspiring.
Of course, my kids, who aren’t on a school schedule, have inherited my owlish tendencies, so sometimes the writing is foregone for connection and conversation in the wee hours. Especially with my almost 14 year old son, I see sides I don’t in the daytime hours.
Would I want to write about it every day? No, I don’t think so, but it’s cool that someone does, and he’s willing to share it.
By the way, great news on the edits! =)
*Yawns* Just kidding! I know what you mean. To us, our life can be monotonous. Yet, to others, especially if they’re a fan, our life has meaning. I don’t get it, but it does. Does that make sense? lol. And I am always amazed at how much you do get done even with the demands of your day job and family obligations. You do fantastic Jennette. You always inspire me. And that my friend may be why we are interested in others lives. Perhaps we are looking for inspiration. 🙂
Shan, maybe the upside down thing is something pits and rotties have in common? Your typical day sounds wonderful–thanks for sharing!
Karen, I can’t imagine being inspiring to anyone else, so thanks!