Today officially marks the start of my summer schedule since school is now over. My two oldest daughters have been safely delivered to Kemur Camp (a horse camp for girls) for a week of being a student helper and a full-fledged camper (depending on which daughter I speak of), and so hubby and I have our youngest daughter home alone with us this week. Seems strange to have only one child at home. We haven't experienced that since Alisha (our oldest) was eighteen months old. In two weeks, all three daughters will be off to Kemur Camp for another week of girls fun, while Phil and I have some alone time.
So what does this mean for me and my writing?
It means a summer schedule is in order. And since I don't write while my family is home--or at least not while they are awake at home, early mornings begin today. For the summer my writing will take place in my office haven from 6:00 am to 9:00 am while the girls enjoy their sleep-in summer schedule. I'll arise at 5:30 am for devotion and Bible reading time before delving into my fictional world. I've mixed feeling about this. Anticipation, and yet a tinge of laziness threatens me too.
But in line with writing like a professional, I know these early mornings need to be followed. I managed to do it last summer, so I know I can succeed. Anyone else joining me on this early rising adventure?
My goal is to avoid Internet access during this time, too. These three hours will be strictly writing time. Throughout the day, I'll take mini breaks as the girls are occupied with friends to do my blog hopping and writing, and my email updating.
So, tell me, how will you handle your summer? How do you keep writing a priority when the family is home and in vacation mode?
Surrendering to Him,
Eileen
18 comments:
Hi Eileen,
Since my kiddos are home all of the time, I'm on summer writing schedule all year round! I do the early morning writing, nap time writing, and after bed writing! However, I've been restricting myself to blogging to only a little time in the morning, a short time after lunch, and then maybe a peek in the evening if I have time. This has restricted my blog time, but it's been a good restriction.
Hope you enjoy your week with your youngest!
Early mornings are a great time to pray, and then write. I did it for the last two summers, but this year I'm not quite as focused.
Wow--a whole week alone with hubby? Enjoy!
I don't feel like my summer schedule has started quite yet. Things have been so hectic here lately that we've decided to delay the start of school (homeschool) for another month. We usually start the 1st of Aug, but we're moving that back to Sept. 1st.
I'm not much of an early riser. 7 am is early enough for me. I write best in the late morning and early afternoon. And my kidlets are old enough to amuse themselves during that time.
:) Enjoy your quiet early mornings!
Sounds like a great schedule Eileen. My summer so far is the same, since my kiddos are little. BUT... I need to be like you and figure out a time to write. Naptime isn't cutting it so well anymore. LOL
It's great that you already have your schedule planned. I have two young ones home the entire summer and a nephew I watch five days a week so I am struggling some with a schedule. They help out with chores some in the morning which gives me a little writing time and I can continue in the afternoon with some downtime (and sometimes naptime). Most of the rest has to be done after bedtime or if my hubby is spending some special time with the kids. It works for us, though, so I guess I can call it a schedule of sorts.
That sounds like an awesome schedule! I, personally, LOVE writing in the morning. It's when I'm most efffective. My schedule's been a little different now that summer is here, since I'm not working. I haven't been getting up as early as I do during the school year.
I'm like Jody, a naptime writer. :)
I am opposite of you! Since I work at a school and have to get there at 7:30am, I write all day when I am at home in the summer (if I can) My kids are teens and sleep til 11am or noon and don't need to be entertained by me anymore. (sniff) It does open up writing time for me though!
You are very organized and such a good schedule! My days are the same year round so not an issue. If I want to write when hubby is around, I close myself in my office or bedroom but do the majority when he is gone. thankfully he loves to golf!
Our home is small~and since both daughters are home from college, it seems quite noisy all the time. I find myself writing in little 'snippets' here and there. Not the best schedule, but all I can do for now:)
Jody, Do you homeschool your older children? Sounds like you've got a schedule worked out that works for your family dynamics. I can't wait to meet you in September.
Georgiana: There is a season for everything, this may be one of a little less structure for you. I pray you have a great summer.
Erica, you have good reason for being unsettled. I'm praying for you and your family.
Jessica, you amaze me. With such little ones that you find time to write at all is God sent. May your little ones discover a huge desire for long naps this summer.
Cindy, when the kids are young, writing is such a challenge. I didn't start writing until my girls were all in school full-time and I still have trouble. You guys with young ones amaze me.
Katie: May you enjoy your summer time sleep ins. You're kind of the opposite of me. I find I'm most productive right after devotion and prayer time, too. It was great this morning.
Sherrinda, I know what you mean about the kids being older. However, mine still need a chauffer and want to shop lots so that fills my days with them.
Terri, bet you wish you could go golfing with hubby too. May your words spin out fast while the house is quiet.
Rose Mary: We do what we have to, if writing in snippets works, don't mess with a good thing. Enjoy the family while they're home.
I'm so proud of my disciplined critique partner, aren't y'all?
Laziness--or is it merely time to lean back, reflect, and let the next novel percolate--has put me in a delicious summer swoon from which I am just now emerging with a must-meet-goal-before-coffee-and-chocolate break!
Does that work for anyone????!!!
Patti
www.pattilacy.com
I was hoping to start waking up early to write, but it seems like staying up late after everyone is in bed might work better. I try to do my blogging when my little one goes down for a nap, but sometimes that doesn't always work:) But having a schedule is a good idea!
I pray I can get lots of writing done! And I hope no one in my family notices lol! I seem to write better at night although I have tried many times to write during the morning hours. I'd love to do that if my body can pull it off. Why does it seem my brain wakes up hours after the rest of me?
You and I have the same schedule--except I start at seven. Don't worry, you'll love it once you do it for a week. My only problem is I want to keep writing all day. Sigh.
Haha, I'm an early riser, even when I stay up really late like tonight. So rest assured that I'm up with you. Writing. Good luck!
Patti: It's so great to see you hear. Keep the purcolator going, I'm looking forward to your next project.
Kara, when the kids are young flexibility is key. I hope you have enough energy left at the end of the day for writing. Think of all the fun stories you can use at night from your real world.
T. Anne, I know what you mean about the body lagging behind. I bought a one-cup coffee maker and put it in my office for this very reason. I need my java to wake me up. So far it's working. I perk my cup while I settle into the Bible, sip on it while reading and doing my devotional and then prayer time. I'm loving my office time once more.
Jill, I'm with you, it's difficult to pull myself away, but Cassandra comes faithfully downstairs to let me know when 9:00 arrives. She wants her mommy daughter time. I'm honoured! :)
Lady Glamis, you sound like my hubby. He needs very little sleep too. I wish I were like that. But the mornings are working well, and I'm enjoying them so far. Glad to know I'm not alone with the early writing endeavor. How's Monarch going?
It's really hard to get any writing done in the summer when the kids are home. I'm a bear in the mornings, so the early rising thing doesn't work for me. I've been known to be up until 6:00am writing, though. Does that count?
Lazy Writer, staying up until 6:00 am writing blows me away. I'm not a night person at all so that gets huge kuddos from me. Enjoy your summer with the kids. It goes by way too fast.
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