They really are different verbs, aren’t they?
One supposes there IS time, if only one is persistent in seeking it.
The latter disposes with such foolishness immediately. Such happy notions as ‘a spare moment’ or ‘a little free time’ are not found in the life of a mother and a writer. Such things are MADE. Like steel and rocketships and keys to the car.
Last week, Rocki St. Claire came by and reminded us that one must not dream of success. Dreams happen in our sleep. We need to have a goal, and a plan, then execute.
You know, both ‘find’ and ‘make’ are active verbs, requiring full participation, so we writer-moms can’t be faulted there. We’re WILLING to work hard.
But I think we need to dispense with the notion that, if we just did it right, time would magically appear, in some natural, easy way, and then, voila!, we would fill it with writing.
I have found it’s messier than that. The process is messier. More driven, more cut-throat. No prisoners, no stragglers, no excuses. You go in for The Time To Write, and you come out with it, dammit.
We need to wrestle The Time To Write to the ground. Have a cage-match with it. It’s NOT out there, peeking playfully around a corner at us, waiting to be found. It’s wily, and desperate, and it’s laughing at us. (Or maybe it’s only laughing at me. But seriously, it’s not good.)
So . . . if you were to MAKE TWO HOURS of writing time tomorrow, where will you drag them out of ? It need not be 120 consecutive minutes, and you do not need to do ‘good’ writing.
You must, simply, write.
So, where are your 2 hours coming from tomorrow? (That will be Friday, October 2.)
And if you’re not a writer, but a reader . . . what is it that you know, in your heart of hearts, you absolutely must do to be right with your world? When will you do it? Specifically, when during the day tomorrow will you do something to bring you closer to that goal?
Let us know!




Twitter: wiremamma
says:
Kris,
You’re such a word nerd! That’s what I love about you. I woke up before dawn with my hubby this morning, carved out 2 hrs, and wrote another chapter toward my climax of my WIP!
Having NaNoWriMo as a goal is motivation enough to finish this project–basically on hold after taking a summer off.
Writing makes the writer.
Thanks always, for the reminder.
~Ashley
LOL Ashley on the word nerd! That’s cute!
Kris, did you write this post for me or what?
I’ve been finding my two hours late at night after everyone is asleep. LOL I write by the glow of the bathroom light. (hubs can’t sleep with the lamp on. Oh, the joys of not having an office.)
So far, I’ve done OK. But let me tell you hootin’ with the owls makes soaring with the eagles at dawn a baaaaad word. LOL
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
Sarah,
Offices are overrated. I have one, but I don’t write there. That’s where I sit, elbows on desk, head in hands, trying to figure out what is sucking all of my time. LOL.
I write in the wee hours, when everyone is sleeping, hubby’s left for work, and pray I’ve organized myself enough to not have a chaotic dash through breakfast, getting dressed, packing lunches, and getting hair combed so we can leave on time!
If I may… this morning, the plot was progressing in a way it hasn’t in months! words flowed like water. It was tough to get them to shut off!
then, I heard the sweet voice of my littlest… and it dawned on me, she’s turning 4 this month.
If the last few weeks of her being 3 aren’t something to slow down and enjoy…I don’t know what is. I’m making extra sure to cuddle her as long as she will let me.
~Ashley
Twitter: KrisKennedy
says:
Good point, Ash. There’s the vital flipside: they’re young only once, and it matters that we tend them. That they feel valued. And remarkably cuddled.
So, cuddle away. We’ll wait.
Twitter: KrisKennedy
says:
Ash~
LOL–a word nerd. Yep, that’s me. My husband (lovingly) teases me about being a general nerd, the sort with glasses, who laughs at jokes with homonyms and such. LOL
You go, sister, all that pre-dawn writing!! I’m inspired.
Twitter: jeannieruesch
says:
My husband teases me endlessly about being a geek. But he’s right, I am, so it’s not as if I can argue the point. LOL
Okay, am I the only one who teases my HUSBAND about being a geek? And not the other way around LOL.
Renee
Twitter: KrisKennedy
says:
LOL Sarah. Ah, the creativity that bubbles up from the dim glow of the bathroom light.
Yeah, if you stay up late, waking up early stinks! I have yet to figure out which works better for me. Usually, by day’s end, I’m wiped. My Muse has burrowed in deep, & usually can only be tapped in by wine, which again, makes morning very hard. LOL But the 5am wake-up…I can make lunches, drink coffee, issue commands, but the Muse hasn’t come out yet at 5am. Maybe . . .wine!
Tomorrow, my 2 hours is coming during the day, as I have a little child care, so I’ll make my commitments for the weekend and early next week, when I’m on duty alone again.
Sat & Sun-I will get in 2 hours of writing mid-day, when hubby and son can go play in the world.
Monday- 2 hours in the morning, after my son is carpooled to school, and before i have to leave to pick him up.
I find part of my two hours during my lunch hour, and perhaps a bit late at night when baby has woken up, and I am then awake and need to do something in order to get droopy-eyed again while he goes back to sleep.
At work, I log into my Google Docs on my lunch (and only then!) and work on the writing I have stored there. Or, I open my Character Bio Moleskine to work on that aspect. Even if it is not word count, I am working towards the goal of a finished WIP.
Later at night, I work on blog posts, or writing exercise stories I am posting to my blog, and then quickly log in on my lunch the next day and post them after doing a bit of less-bleary-eyed editing.
it is slow, tedious work, and I find some nights I am just not up for anything but staring blindly at the TV, or burying my nose in a book. But I try.
Twitter: KrisKennedy
says:
What a great system, if draining. But then, I always imagine how much more draining it would be to NOT write, and that usually re-motivates me.
Those mid-night wakenings are so, so rough. My eyes start drifting shut in sympathetic exhaustion just thinking about it.
Good for you for doing it when it’s not easy! I get inspired by stories of people who do it when it’s hard, b/c it matters to them. Yay, moms!
I got my inspiration from Barbara Demarco-Barrett’s book Pen on Fire. Seriously good inspiration for those who have little time to put butt in chair to write.
I’m not published yet, and who knows when that will happen, but I will keep the fire going as I can. There are days sometimes between times when I can write, but I try even if it is fifteen minutes.
I like Caroline’s idea of grabbing a few minutes here and there to get to 2 hours. Two hours a day is not possible for me right now, because I’m trying to (ungracefully) slide from FT employee to PT contractor. Even if it takes 6 months, I know that on the other side I might have a shot at 2 hours a day! Oh and wouldn’t that be heaven…
Twitter: KrisKennedy
says:
Ginabad, you’re very ginagood (I’ve already been informed I’m a word nerd, so I am embracing it right now.)
I loved what you said. As I read your post, I go the sense that you’ll do it in 120 separate 1 minutes segments if necessary, but, dammit, you’ll get it done.
You go, mama!
Twitter: jeannieruesch
says:
Nothing like putting me on the spot, Kris! LOL
Actually, I love this idea…maybe we can create a “Two Hours A Day” Subgroup on this blog where we can all keep each other accountable for the time we do or DON’T spend on writing.
Okay…Friday, two hours to write. I can take at least one hour while my son naps (if he naps.) I can take another hour hopefully in the morning while he’s playing or watching cartoons. Probably not all in one sitting, but I can try for that.
Twitter: KrisKennedy
says:
Jeannie~
Ah, the Nap-Writes. Man, how I hated those. But not so much as I hated the No Nap Today!-writes.
I guess it’s not that I hated them so much (am I allowed to say I dislike something so intensely about being a mom?), but that I was so ineffective during them. I’d sit down and stare at the comptuer. And stare. And stare.
You, of course, will be fabulous. Your Muse will come swooping out like Tinkerbell tomorrow, and the words will flutter down to the keyboard, needing only your typing fingers to pick them up & transfer into the story. Go, girl!
I’d be totally up for a Two Hour Club, maybe accessible via the sidebar?
Twitter: jeannieruesch
says:
Oh, Kris…you do NOT need to give my muse (whose name is FRED, by the way and happens to resemble Bob Hoskins) any ideas about costumes. Because I’m fairly certain that now he will show up wearing a tinkerbell costume. LOL
The Hour Nap times are tough…it always seems like just when I get moving and trucking along, nap time is over and I have a child who needs me. I was just writing on my own blog about needing a “Commute” to writing time… My commute to the old 9 to 5 job was always nice. It gave me time to think, to gear up for the day, to switch modes. So I think I need to give myself a “commute” routine that will help clear my mind. Any suggestions? LOL
I’m on it for the sidebar 2 hour club! More soon.
Kris,
Great post. I love: One supposes there IS time, if only one is persistent in seeking it. Yes, one would suppose that, wouldn’t they? Though some days I wonder.
Where are my two hours going to come from tomorrow? Before dawn likely. LOL..
Thanks for a great post!
Renee
Twitter: jeannieruesch
says:
Renee, we need to find out who that “one who supposes” is…and I’m all for running her over with my car. *grin*
Twitter: KrisKennedy
says:
We could throw jello at her . . . red jello . . .
Twitter: violaestrella
says:
Amen, sistah!! Love the cage-match comment. LOL! You’re so right. My two hours are coming when I stick the kiddos on the bus. Well, after I check my emails but then I’m tackling those words down. Promise.
Twitter: KrisKennedy
says:
Viola,
Oh, yea,you betta believe it:a bunch of MamaWriters in a cage match with The Time To Write! LOL.
So….I got some serious writing time this afternoon via a fairy godmother friend with a child my son’s age, & therefore didn’t get to check in earlier. Did you get your 2 hours in?
Jeanie put an awesome ‘quick commenter’ in the sidebar–you can report in there! LOL
LOL…Kris……cage match and wrestling!!! I feel like that every time I sit down to work and someone knocks on my door ( the one I have clearly placed a DON’T EVEN KNOCK sign on) wanting to know if they can get a glass of milk with cookies for dessert tonight. We JUST had lunch and they are knocking on my door for dinner’s dessert.
Of course that knock didn’t come along just before I started working..oh no, they had to wait until that perfect plot point for my heroine came out of my muse’s closet , only to scare it back in slamming the door on its way out!!!!
LOL…did that rant make any since?!
It is hard to get the kids to understand that I need silence at times, but it is a WIP!
My two hrs normally have to come right after lunch and some extra hrs after the kids go to bed.
Twitter: KrisKennedy
says:
Talina~
LOL! It’s like there’s some basic genetic survival code at work. They’ve just finished lunch and they’re already wondering about dinner. You know, the Ambient Cell-level Cookies-in-the-House Genetic Coding Sequence. LOL
I hope you get in 2 hours tonight! Be sure to say so, in the comment feature Jeannie got up in the sidebar.
Oh, I forgot to mention that I love the idea of the “Two Hours A Day” Subgroup. Wonderful idea!!!
I’m a college student, plus I’m an editor for DCL and HOF and I have a job. So, I find it hard to find time to write. But I try to get up two hours earlier and write. Also I give myself a couple of hours during the evening to write.
I have a great CP who motivates me and pushes me. And I love contests and deadlines because I get more accomplished. Right now I am 1 of 8 writers who will be participating in RITBS “Paranormal Authors Fight Club” We have until the 7th to write 1,000 words. So that motivates me to write as well.
Twitter: KrisKennedy
says:
Tonya~
CPs can be terrific for keeping us on track! It’s a way of being accountable to another human. Contests and similar deadlines are a great as well. No matter what chaos ensues, that date will still be there, so if we want it, we have to figure out a way to make it happen.
Thanks for saying Hi!
Twitter: jeannieruesch
says:
The Two Hours A Day Sidebar Feature is now live! Share your progress each day with the MamaWriters…how are you doing?
I’m a reader but wanting to journal my journey with Cancer so far. I must take time, sit down, and start writing from 7 months ago or I’ll lose the feelings than have been present and won’t be able to pen them as I’d like. I have a 1 1/2 hr. wait for the bus so …..
Twitter: KrisKennedy
says:
Oh, Robyn, yes! Please do comment in the little sidebar comment section in the sidebar. You do have to get those thoughts/reflections/feelings down now, b/c they’ll fade.
I used to do a journal for my mom-ing, and as my son got older, I drifted away from it. But when I go back and read those earlier entries, it means a lot to me. I’m sure your journal about your journey through cancer will be incredibly valuable to your recovery, and your reflections afterwards.
I like the idea of doing it while waiting for the bus and other more mundane, day-to-day activities.
I’m so glad you chimed in, and sending prayers for your recovery! Definitely keep us updated on your journaling progress.
I write mostly in my journal just keep myself feeling better. I’ve learned that when I write everything down about how I feel to what my friends called and gossiped about it makes me feel so stress free but also better. You know I could probably write a book alone on just my friends. LOL
I have few excuses for not finding two hours today – they won’t be consecutive hours, thanks to the 4-year-old who needs me. My problem at the moment is that I am on a deadline and am suddenly paralyzed with fear and am finding new and creative ways to procrastinate!
Twitter: KrisKennedy
says:
Ginny, I totally understand. What do you think I’m online for? I tell myself it’s doing the necessary promotional / networking aspect of the biz. And it’s true, sorta. Which makes it even harder to stop. b/c there’s an element of truth to it.
Here’s to you getting 2 hours in today!
Keep us posted in the sidebar, the little ‘wall’ area for instant comments on the Writing-Two-Hours-A-Day Challenge.