This summer has felt more like a sprint. I made a goal to finish my third manuscript by the end of summer and eked it out with only one week to spare.
I tend to work like this–full steam ahead, then abrupt halt. I get lost in my writing–obsessive about it at times. When I’m in full-on writing mode (which, for me, means working on a project, whether drafting or editing), I think about my work throughout the day. I even dream about it.
For me, balance comes over the long term, not in days, specifically. I don’t have the luxury to write everyday because I have a full time job as an English teacher which consumes a lot of my time during the school year. I do have the luxury of summers off and weekends, of course. That’s when I get the lion’s share of my writing in. Working like this allows me to get in the headspace of the story. It affords me focus.
Create a schedule that works for you
Because I’ve been writing for a long time and have published two novels to this point, I know myself and the time writing and editing takes. I’ve established routines to help me achieve my goals. I’ve learned to be realistic about the goals I set, both short and long-term.
For example, I wrote the first half of the first draft of this manuscript during NaNoWriMo and I finished the second half over the following summer. Throughout the school year, I worked over weekends on editing. And this summer, I completed two rounds of edits to polish it to the point of sending it out to beta readers.
Set reasonable/achievable goals for yourself
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had nothing on our plates but writing? Actually, maybe I wouldn’t love it so much, then. Writing is the prize for me. But I do have other things that are also priorities: family, upkeep of the house, cooking, running errands, planning events, attending them, reading, other hobbies, me time. Fitting these in, carving out time, is another opportunity for balance. I’ve done all of these and also conducted a summer workshop on college essay writing for rising seniors.
While some tasks fulfill me more than others, each is necessary to keep my life working–all cogs in the wheel intact. It’s imperative to plan my days accordingly, and even schedule in some unplanned time when I could ride my whims.
Carve out time for other things you love (and the necessary things, too)
I’ve learned, over the years, the importance of fueling myself. While writing feels like fuel, I recognize that pacing myself is necessary because it takes a lot of brain work which can be just as taxing as physical work (but in a different way). I sit for hours behind a desk, fingers pecking away at my laptop. I need to get up, stretch, take a walk or swim or exercise, something to physically get my body moving. I also need to find ways to clear my head which means getting out in nature or meditating, having coffee with friends or a spa day with my daughter.
Pace yourself
Sometimes, life gets in the way or takes a path you hadn’t intended. Flexibility and kindness are essential. One of the things I love most about summer is that it affords me time to be flexible, spontaneous even. And when life throws me a curveball, I remind myself that something has to give. I set my priorities even if that means altering my goals. And, above all else, I remember to be kind to myself.
Be flexible and kind
Stop and think: how do you create balance?
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