Where Does The Time Go?

I had hoped to be at least halfway through revising one of my novels this month. I haven't started yet. Where did that month go?

Well, let's see.

Forty hours of every week go to work. Can't really do much about that right now. Must eat, pay mortgage and buy writing supplies so must work.

Some goes to housework and yard work. Although, I certainly don't spend a lot of time on either. Don't want to end up on one of those hoarder shows. Don't want to get run out of the neighborhood. So must do housework and yard work.

Some goes to dance class and working out. Dance class seems to help keep me sane (right up there with writing) and is great exercise. Working out good for mind, body and spirit. Must do these things.

Some--way too little, actually--is spent with friends. Extremely good for mind and spirit. Will not give this up.

But a disproportionate amount of time goes to--wait for it--television and Facebook. Summer used to be the wasteland time of TV. Nothing but reruns and game shows. Easily ignored. But now? I have more shows scheduled for the DVR than ever. Burn Notice, True Blood, In Plain Sight, Leverage are all great storytelling. And they're well acted. More are due to start. Facebook is a way to stay in touch with friends. But there's a lot of useless distraction as well. Games are a biggie. But the "updates" from artists and organizations that you "like" can overwhelm, too. And there are friends who seem to want me to know way more about their day than I need to. The bigger problem is that many of these superposter friends are entertaining about it.

In any case, I won't be on Facebook much this summer. If we're neighbors or friends in games, don't expect me to send you any gifts. I won't be poking you back. It's not that I don't want to be friends. Please email or call me and we can get together. But I'm not going to check in to see what anyone had for breakfast. Even if it sounds fabulous and you've included the recipe which I would love to try.

The DVR will serve its purpose and record the shows I just can't bear to miss so I can watch them at a time I wouldn't be writing anyway. Or as a treat for making a particular goal.

I'll keep you posted on how it works out. But probably not as a FB status update.

Four Pretty Whole Days

A three-day weekend is a real gift to a writer with a day job. A four-dayer is a windfall. My outstanding boss announced yesterday that we get an extra day in addition to Memorial Day. Huzzah! I'm taking Tuesday.

The day before one of these weekends is a bit strange. Usually, I'm swamped. But since I'm covering upstairs for Giovanna today, I did all my last minutes yesterday. So I'm here basically to answer the phone and check emails. And the day before a holiday weekend is notoriously slow. Lots of free time to ponder 96 hours and what to do with them. Of course, I'll clean the house. And mow the lawn. Not too much time there--5 to 6 hours if get really picky and wash windows and trim around the edges. Maybe check out Territory Days in Old Colorado City. That's a few hours. Run to Home Depot for a new screen door for the patio. An hour. Sunday dinner with the gang. Let's face it--that can take 6 hours if they finish early with critiques. Maybe a movie. Three hours total. 32 hours for sleep, if I'm lucky. That leaves 45 hours. Wow. 5 pages an hour if I'm cooking, say 2 if I'm having to dig for it. At worst that's 90. At best it's a really short novel.

Now we all know that ain't gonna happen because I'm going to watch television and check everyone's blogs and email and call my aunt and talk for who knows how long (our record is over three hours), but there's still a big possibility to knock out a lot of revisions.

I'm psyched.

Patience

Most people who know me think I'm extremely patient because I can wait for something to happen without complaining.

Out loud.

On the inside, however, I am a very impatient person. This could be a good thing. I'm getting antsy about my writing. And my lack of time (or perceived lack of time) to do same. Work has been busier than usual lately and too many other things are claiming my after-work time. Must stop now. I have a great new story I want to tell--now, dammit!

Okay, will check in tomorrow with update on whether or not I actually get the words out.