Recently I contemplated getting high. That’s right. Not with drugs or alcohol, but sitting down with my Alphasmart to a day uninterrupted by phones, demands by email, and other life events. The joy in writing can only arise when the mind is uncluttered by genuine worries or thoughts of other things perceived to be more important. Like making dinner. Making lunch. Washing those dishes, that laundry, that kitchen counter. Oy!
I love being a full time author. I wouldn’t trade this career for any other. Yet before I was published, my brain was a lot less absorbed with other concerns that fought tooth and nail to capture my slice of heaven. Over the last year, I overscheduled myself with other events related to writing. Have I learned my lesson? That in order to find my special writing bliss once more, I must remember what I’ve lost? Only time will tell, but I plan to follow through and cut back on the things that steal my mojo. When I’ve read back on the history of writers and poets, I’ve noted the tremendous amount of angst they seem to have as a part of their personality makeup. This is not to say every author has dramatic ups and downs on a frequent basis, but it does seem to lean in that direction frequently. I’m determined to keep my muse alive by giving it the nutrition it needs. A lack of angst would be more than helpful.
In my novel HIDEAWAY (Ellora’s Cave www.ellorascave.com), the author has the same concerns I do about writing. It was fun and refreshing to write about a novelist and her struggle to keep the muse alive. I was able to discover why she had a writer’s block, even though as I was writing her story I hadn’t decided what her block was all about. Discovering the answer as I wrote was fun.
Have you ever overcommitted and found a way to ease back to a more comfortable place? How did you do it? I’ll select a winner by random to receive a book download of their choice.
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I use to overcommit alot when I was in college between my studies and extracurricular activities. Since then, I have learned my limits and I am pretty good at staying within the. I think it is a skill you learn with time and experience.
by Cherie Japp
on March 14th, 2007 at 8:32 am
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I have always tried to overcommit. In high school, I worked two jobs to support my shoe habit. After I graduated I worked three jobs, and decided not to go to college, hugh mistake. I now have two kids and a wonderful husband and could not be happier, however I overcommit all of the time. First it was with my job, daughter’s dance class, son’s t-ball and husbands side business, in the last year I have learned that less is more and I can enjoy things that I could never before. I do not help with my daughter’s extra curriculator activities and I only watch my son’s karate class. This has made my life easier.
by Patty L.
on March 14th, 2007 at 8:39 am
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Being overcommitted sometimes works well for me because I then tend to stay more focused in a bid to meet all of my obligations in a manner I can still be proud of…but it is a very stressful way to live and so I try to refrain from going that route very often. I used to constantly be submerged by tasks, appointments, etc. Of course, that was before I became comfortable with that tiny little word “No.”
by Little Lamb Lost
on March 14th, 2007 at 8:45 am
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 Cheri, I would so like to get witih the program. He, he! I think I was trained for so many years to keep busy, that it never occured to me for a long time that there was a big difference between being a lazy slug and just getting the job done. :) Congrats on finding your happy medium. That’s great!
Denise A. Agnew
http://www.deniseagnew.com
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Patty, I’m so glad you’ve discovered your happy medium. I’m inspired when I hear stories like this. Makes me believe there is hope for me yet. :)
Denise A. Agnew
http://www.deniseagnew.com
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Oh, yes! That tiny little word no! I have been learning to use this more and more often over the past few years, although some of my “obligations” sorta snuck up on me and attacked.  I’ll have to work on it.
Denise A. Agnew
http://www.deniseagnew.com
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I over committed when I started reading ebooks about a year ago. I attened every chat, joined every groups and looked at all the blogs. I foundI didn’t have a family life anymore..the days and nights were constantly on the computer. So I just cut back to few chats a month and looking at certain blogs when I get a chance..so I actually see my family now, lol.
by Lisa W
on March 14th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
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Now that my kids are older, I signed them up for several sports and other activities but I was driving my self crazy with trying to keep the schedule straight. Now I have each child just pick one activity to do and make sure I can handle it.
by Shuck Ying
on March 14th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
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When I multi-task too much, I start to become very stressed. So I have to consciously stop doing too many things at once and take a breather.
by Deborah
on March 14th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
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:razz: Lisa, goodness girl! You really were addicted to reading related activiies, eh? I’ve had to cut back on some of the same activiities myself and I’m a writer. :roll:
Denise A. Agnew
http://www.deniseagnew.com
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Shuck Ying,
And your kids probably thank you, too, eh? They’re probably feeling less burned out and enjoying their one activity a lot more.
Denise A. Agnew
http://www.deniseagnew.com
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Deborah, I know what you mean about the multi-tasking. I sort of became “addicted” to multi-tasking in a way because I was required when I worked at the universities to multi task or else.  So, even though I am my own boss and don’t have to do so many things at once, I can find myself falling into the habit of “must go faster” to accomplish things. Which isn’t true, of course.
Denise A. Agnew
http://www.deniseagnew.com
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No has always been the hardest word for me to say, especially if you are lucky enough to work from home. When I was home with my kids, every teacher and sports group would automatically assume I had loads of time to volunteer for every single thing that came up. So not true, and that one school year was the year from hell, with every spare moment filled with everyone else’s projects but mine. The start of a new school year had me starting new habits, though it did kind of turn me into a fibber, since I used the excuse that my poor grandma was sick and needed daily care. Sorry grandma, but it worked. It let me regroup and be a lot more selective.
by Cathy
on March 14th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
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Cathy, no can be a hard word for me, too. And you’re so right about being at home and having everyone think you’re doing nothing the whole time you are there. :) Congratulations to you for realizing you were doing too much and giving yourself a break.
Denise A. Agnew
http://www.deniseagnew.com
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Hey all, I’m shutting down for the evening! The winner of the free download is Shuck Yin! Congratulations. Please send me an email at danovelist@cox.net and let me know which of my books you’d like as a download. :)
Denise A. Agnew
http://www.deniseagnew.com
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Congrats Shuck, what book did you pick?
by Cathy
on March 17th, 2007 at 11:49 am
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