Why? Here are five reasons I love being a novel-writing-mom on this fabulous Monday afternoon:
(1) When I get a quiet moment or two, I'm focused (usually). Writing's on the agenda. I don't have the luxury to say, "I'll write later today." When the kids are napping, the time is now.
(2) Lots of opportunity for percolation time. Lots of brainless activity goes into keeping a household of seven running: laundry to fold, dishes to wash, vacuuming, and even cleaning that green bathtub every couple years. This is the best time to think through my novels and plan my writing goals for the day.
(3) Writing gives me a creative outlet. I don't have to stare at a screen all day doing "other stuff" or using up my creative energy in my day job. (I know a lot of wonderful moms who use a lot of their creative energy on their kids, but I'm not really that way. I adore my kids, feed them, clothe them, clean them ... and let them play on their own. *grin*)
(4) Though I'm busy, my time is flexible. I'm not required to go on business trips or be in an office for eight hours a day. If I really need to get something done, my kids entertain themselves for awhile.
(5) Living on one salary with five kids and a mortgage makes you poor. *smile* We don't have a lot of extra money to spend on trips or outside entertainment, which means we are at home a lot, which in turn means more time to write. Writing is my #1 form of entertainment.
So, how about you? Anything to add to the list? How does your day job help or hinder your writing goals?
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| My sweet bunch! |
look at your cute family!!!!
ReplyDeleteand that's me, staring at the screen all day doing "other things" :( haha. but if it's mindless enough, i get some brainstorming done!
What a great family!
ReplyDeleteMy job helps me with writing because I travel a lot, lots of time to write in airplanes, airports and hotels.
And, my lunch hours are usually quiet, so I have time to work on writing stuff then too. :)
Cuties!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, I can't imagine how much laundry you have!
ReplyDeleteBut overall we have a great deal in common.
My job helped me write by laying me off.
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Unemployed
I don't write, as you know Amy, but I'm going to comment anyway!
ReplyDeleteI love how you sound so happy your life: I think that's a big help in your writing, you love what you do!
Your kids are gorgeous, and nothing wrong with letting them amuse themselves sometimes, some kids nowadays are way overscheduled!
What a beautiful picture :-)
ReplyDeleteI write when I'm supposed to be looking for jobs. Not sure that's quite right, but meh :-)
Absolutely. :) And the other great thing about being poor is that it motivates you to write!
ReplyDeleteYour children are so beautiful!
What a beautiful family! I only have three kids, but I can say that I look forward to writing once they go to bed at night. I'm not very good about using nap time to write. That's when I read. I think it's very healthy to have an outside interest when you stay home with kids. I know I look forward to the evenings, after the kids go to sleep, so I can have that time alone to write. My husband channel surfs, so it's a win-win for him, too!
ReplyDeleteSweet bunch indeed :) And I'm so glad you are happy with your writing schedule! I'm still figuring mine out. It changes every week it seems...
ReplyDeleteI'm the same. I wouldn't have it any other way.
ReplyDeleteAnd what a beautiful bunch!
Love the photo!
ReplyDeleteYes. Yes to all of these. Especially #3!!!! Love this, Amy.
ReplyDeleteOlivia is a grown up!! And how is it that Anna was the baby the last time I saw her here, and then Sophie was the baby in America, and now you have a different baby--and two big girls? Amy, it's so hard to keep up!!
ReplyDeleteLove the writing-mom-post!
I love the picture of the kids, Amy! I also love being a stay at home mom, and being flexible and have time to write is one of my favorite parts:) Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteI still can't imagine how you manage to write with so many kids. You are amazing, Amy.
ReplyDeleteMy 9 yo asked me the other day why can't I home school him. It took me half an hour to stop laughing. My 8 yo replied, "Because then she can't work on her book." She's such a wise child. :D
Your family is beautiful, Amy!
ReplyDeleteHmmm...to answer your question, my job hinders my writing because it's 40 hours per week of stressfully looking at a computer screen. Somehow, the last thing I want to do is spend more hours looking at a computer screen.
So, I got one of the first iPads to write my book on. :-) And now, the external keyboard is broken. And my hubby uses my iPad for sports viewing. So (here's my excuse for not writing at present)... I need a new PC or iPad to write on. Haven't decided what I want yet. Guess I'll take a poll on my blog about author preference. Come visit and let me know your thoughts.