Have you heard the song Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis?
I finally got the opportunity to hear it this last weekend when I messed up the dates to my friend’s baby shower. Yeah, I got two kidless drives back to my hometown. Long story!
My little boo-boo earned me 45mins of driving without having to hear a Disney movie blaring in the background! I actually got to listen the radio and see what I’ve been missing. Isn’t it amazing how even stolen moments of peace are engerizing?!
The lyrics of the song made me think not of love, but of my writing.
As moms, the slates are kind of stacked against us as far as free time. Essentially, our time is not our own. We have other responsibilities that have to come first. Housework, driving kids to school, homework, playing with our kids, errands, and let’s not forget- making time for darling hubby, too.
We’re more diversified than Wonder Woman! (and you won’t catch me wearing her costume either!)
Despite all the stolen moments in the world, I never feel like I’m getting enough writing time. Sure, I can squeak in an hour here or there, but I never feel completely satisfied. It’s like wanting a big chunk of chocolate and all you get is a small square of a Hersey’s bar. I always want more!
I’ve recently had a few roadblocks surface and my writing time has suffered. Any spare moment when my thoughts can stray away from the hear and now, I’m thinking about my MS. I’ve got 101 reasons why I should shelve my story and wait until my kids are older and I have more time. But then I think, what about me? What about my time?
Here’s some of Ms. Leona’s Bleeding Love that helped me put it all into perspective. Check it out:
Trying hard not to hear but they talk so loud
Their piercing sounds fill my ears try to fill me with doubt
Yet I know that the goal is to keep me from falling
But nothing’s greater than the rush
That comes with your embrace
And in this world of loneliness I see your face
Yet everyone around me thinks that I’m going crazy
Maybe, maybe
But I don’t care what they say, I’m in love with you
They try to pull me away but they don’t know the truth
My heart’s crippled by the vein that I keep on closing
Sure, it’s a little dramatic, but writing is dramatic. It’s addictive and consuming. No matter what we have to do, we always find the time to feed our habit. Even if we’ve had a bad night with Critique Partners, a stinging contest comment, family needs, or even the occasional pinched nerve. We keep going back. We keep writing no matter what. We keep bleeding writing.
So, tell me, what recharges you when you’re facing the hurdles life throws at you? For me, it was a simple song and a peaceful 45m drive. What keeps you going?
For more on Sarah, check out her blogs: The Lovestruck Novice and Friday Night Write



Sarah, You’re a better mom than I to let movies play for your kids. it makes me batty. I drive with the radio on, to a station of my choosing, and the girls learn my music and sing along.
We lived without disney movies when I was a kid, so I figure, car time should be for playing games like I Spy and talking about our day.
I ignore all attempts of “mooooooooooooom! We want a moooooooooooooooovie:” in favor of Bon Jovi, Jack Johnson (his songs for Curious George ROCK) and even some of the kids tunes from High School Musical and Hannah Montana (I know, right?)
We’re heading up to Disneyland soon, and I fully intend to sing along to the Phineas and Ferb Soundtrack, a b/day gift for my daughter who wants to be an American Idol. (She’s turning 4!!!)
Great post! and talk soon!
Ash
Twitter: jeannieruesch
says:
You know, I may just be weird, but I LOVE Disney music. I have disney CDs of actual songs from the movies, as well as instrumental versions of songs… but I love all things Disney, so I’m perfectly happy to listen to Disney music.
Although my son loves ALL kinds of music. He has a CD player in his room that he puts on all the time — we give him CDs of his music and ours, and he always puts on ours. LOL Then dances around his room to it… Very cute.
I love that song!
We have earphones for our kids to watch their movies in the car
A peaceful quiet house recharges me. Whether thats me alone in the house, or everyone asleep….it doesn’t matter just as long as the only one I have to answer to at the moment is myself. I love to write or read during that time. With three kids those moments are few and far apart…especially with a newborn who has plans to stay up until 1am…
Most of my writing time these days is done in 10-15 minute increments and stolen moments. I do a lot of writing in my head, or thinking about writing and my stories.
I also tend to recharge a little by leaving the kiddos with my hubby and running to the store–where on my way I blast the music and even dance and sing.
I know what you mean, Ashley! My kids do watch more than their fair share of TV. I’ve been trying to unplug it for trips to my daughter’s school and my son’s local speech therapy. LOL Sure I still get whining and fighting, but at least it’s never more than 15mins! It’s so easy to fall back to the TV. Now, for the 45min drive on Mondays, my son gets to watch his shows since sissy isn’t in the car. I even let him sit in her seat. LOL She’d pitch a tissy if she knew!
I’ll have to stick to my guns and make my kids listen to my kind of music! Now, I just have to find my musical soundtrack stash! *wink wink*
Oh, I’m feeling your stress with the newborn, Eliza! My baby is 2.5yrs now, but I can still remember those nights! I carry a note book with me everywhere and try to scribble as much as I can between waiting for kids. LOL I’m so glad there is someone else out there singing and dancing in the car! When the song is good and the time is right, ain’t nothin’ better than rockin’ out!
)
HI Sarah
I’ve finally worked out how to offer a comment so here I am saying that both you and your work are wonderful
Merle
Great post, Sarah! It’s hard to say what keeps me going — it’s different things at different times. Yes, sometimes I’m moved by a song. Or a brisk walk. Or a sappy movie. Sometimes simply a scent will invoke the muse.
Hi Helen!!
Yeah, I could go with the sappy movie! LOL I love chic flicks. I know scents sometimes will bring back a memory for me- like of fresh cut hay and summer nights. . .oh, wait! Yeah, that’s a story for another time. LOL
I’ll have to try the brisk walk. I love this time of year. Thanks, Helen!
It’s the “peaceful” part of that drive that would work for me! I have almost an hour drive to my local RWA chapter meetings and I find that one time per month drive does wonders for getting me over any ‘stuck’ spots in my writing. Just something about being in a silent car for an extended period of time that really sets my muse free to roam!
Thanks for the great post, Sarah!
~ Melissa
My son is now in preschool 4 hours a day, Mon-Thursday. Bliss! What really recharges me is going to my favorite coffee shop once a week for a few hours. I’m so productive then, but it’s hard to return to reality when it’s time to go. I’ve been walking around in a writing fog for the last two weeks.
The older I get, the more simple my life looks. I’ve been a professional writer since 1983, and a mother longer. I believe I’m the luckiest woman alive because I’m able to experience the two best roles for a woman: mother and writer.
Sarah, enjoy both.
Great post. What works for me is a day of quiet time, but lately those days are few and far between. Sitting and watching a sappy movies works as does Elvis songs. Luckily my kids love Elvis.
I try to write when I can. Maybe I only manage ten minutes one day and an hour or two another day. I’ll take what I can get. lol
I like this post! What recharges me? A steaming hot, looooong shower, preferably if the kids are downstairs. A nice glass of wine. Enya, Christian music, and now, classical music. A stretch of time without the kids.
What REALLY recharges me as a writer, though, is just writing what I’m in the mood to write, even just for a little bit because then it brings back why I’m in love with it!
I know what you mean, Melissa!
I live for my drive on Mondays. My son is so happy to sit in his sissy’s chair and watch his DVD, he’s quiet as a church mouse. That’s when I put the speakers to the front and try to catch up on my radio stations.
I have about a 45m drive to my RWA meetings. Luckily, my writer friends around my area car pool. I get double the “writer time”- it’s truly inspiring!
Thanks for sharing!
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Ginny, I have another year befor emy son can be in pre-school. It’s his age cut off for the schools. I see the moms getting together to go shopping or to breakfast and I’m like, “I can’t wait!”
LOL Knowing my hubs, we’ll have another one in that time and I’ll be back at square one. *wink wink*
Carol and Karen! My two fav SaSR’ers! Thanks for hangin’ with me today!
Carol, I’m stickin’ with your tips of having bloody marys with the other moms on the block after the bus rolls away! That sounds awesome! LOL
Karen, I love Elvis, too. I loved his movies, too. Viva Las Vegas is my fav! How cool is that?! Your kids love him, too!
Thanks, Gina, for your comments.
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I’m right there with you on the long hot shower! It’s such a fabulous treat after a long day. Of course, my kids always break thru the baby gate and find me, but those few minutes before they do are wonderful! LOL
sorry everyone but I’m at the stage in life where I have lots of quiet moments. Sometimes the quietness, for me, is scarfy because there is too much time to think. I’m coming up with different activities to fill in those quiet moments.
I have breast cancer and had 2 surgeries, 25 Radiation treatments and had to quit work. At least when I worked I could sleep during the day as I worked nights. I need something to occupy my mind and take care of the worry time.