The picture above may or may not be a photo of me in Rotterdam entering a coffee shop (where you can smoke to your heart’s desire weed, grass, or whatever the kids are calling it these days). Of course, if it is of me (and I cannot confirm or deny it), then that certainly would explain why I took an impromptu break from blogging last week. Or the simpler (and honest) explanation for my absence is that I needed to focus completely on writing two new chapters for my current WIP. During my time away from the blogosphere, I also cut out most extracurricular activities such as watching television and moonlighting as a cabbie (as I sometimes do). I did keep up the exercise routine so all is not loss.
Question of the day: What activities do you skim back on or cut when writing/editing/rewriting/revising/plotting demands more than the usual time your devote to it?
p.s. It's not me. Really, I'm coming clean.
22 comments:
Sleep.
Running. Reading. Watching DVDs. Lunch with coworkers. Playing music. Playing with the cat. T'internets. Relaxation of any form. Sleeping.
Sleep. I write in the wee hours of the morning, so that's the first to go.
Alcohol. It clogs up my brain and I don't sleep well when I drink. If I know I'll be writing tomorrow morning, I'll either have less, or none at all.
Posting. I'll go on hiatus if I'm over-posting (as I am these days).
I increase my workouts and don't diet as hard. I don't skimp on family time, though I might peck out some words at work, if the worms start digging.
- Eric
Moonlighting as a cabbie. What a great hobby for a crime writer. Those guys see all kinds of dark shit.
Personally the only thing I cut back on when writing is doing my job at work.
I've yet to have to do any, but I'd say the first to go would be sleep. And laundry. Definitely laundry. It would be heartbreaking...but I'd do it.
When I'm in the midst of writing a rough draft, everything gets the shaft. I do less cooking, cleaning, laundry, and watching TV. Something has to give.
Reading, watching television, sometimes even listening to music. Definitely posting. It worked for me this past week--got my WIP done.
I usually try not to skimp on sleep but sometimes that happens, too.
Rick,
Sleep. No really, it's good for you.
Scott,
Watching DVDs, what's that?
Eric,
What do you mean you've cut alcohol, are you nuts?
Matt,
I enjoy the cabbie gig. Life is stranger than fiction, they say.
Summer,
I think skipping laundry is brilliant. I'm going to add that my to-skip list.
Theresa,
Thanks for stopping by and posting. Your approach to skimming back sounds good to me. A little less of everything to make room from more writing time.
Cindy,
Congrats on getting your WIP done and welcome back to the world of blogging.
Did you have a good time there? Do you remember? lol! I cut back on TV and well, nothing else. Life comes at me full barrel and I can't stop much. *sigh*
T.Anne,
I really enjoyed Rotterdam. It's very "laid back". Friendly people, great restaurants and bars, unique culture and arts. I actually remember most of my trip. How's that!
TV seems to be the #1 activity we writers are cutting back. That and sleep.
Sleep and blogging.
I rarely watch TV and I cannot cut back on the fam-time...kids and husbands are pesky like that.
I want to hang in that cafe with you!
looool
sneaky sneaky!!!
i like the ripped part of your jeans. very snazzy!
Hehe! I laughed when I read this. Oh yes, those legendary coffee houses.
I cut back on internet time when I'm busy with editing. No way am I sacrificing sleep!
Tahereh,
I'm coming clean. It's not me, we snap the pic of some unsuspecting lug.
Talli,
I'm with you. I haven't given up sleep yet, but most social activities are out the door.
LOL!
What do I skip when writing? Sleep, eating healthy, exercise, normal human interaction, sunlight....
i think that thats just horrible
Beth,
I try really hard to get a bit of sunlight once every 45-days.
Carli,
What's horrible? Skipping tv? :)
Since I don't watch tv in the first place and my "hobbies" are actually writing and drawing - something else must needs be sacrificed.
Eating and sleeping.
Exercise is usually the first thing to go. It shouldn't be, but somehow I'm never all that gung ho to hop on the treadmill anyway, so it's easy to put it at the bottom of the list.
Rebecca,
I could never skip eating, I'm not the most pleasant person when I skip a meal or two... so things may go bonkers in my writing as well.
Susan,
I'm just the opposite. If I work out it clears my mind and gives me the energy I need for those long hours working into the night.
Sleep, reading, and socializing of any kind. :)
Shannon,
What's socializing? I gave that up so long along that I forgot what it is.
Thanks for commenting!
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