tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8378702741483615751.post1959553941142606968..comments2023-03-29T03:33:46.640-05:00Comments on The Unpublished Writers' Guide to Survival: Guest Post: Natalie Murphy Talks About Writing During a Busy ScheduleUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8378702741483615751.post-7579447892931583902013-01-10T12:44:40.883-06:002013-01-10T12:44:40.883-06:00Yes, that makes perfect sense! That's so inter...Yes, that makes perfect sense! That's so interesting. I think habit can be a very good thing so long as your productive, which it sounds like you are!!! =) Natalie Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01116611923169722657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8378702741483615751.post-34097569320860625562013-01-07T17:57:19.249-06:002013-01-07T17:57:19.249-06:00Uhm...I muddle through? I'm not really sure. I...Uhm...I muddle through? I'm not really sure. I suppose I have structure if not an actual list. Some things are habit. Laundry on Monday (or other days if stuff piles up), groceries on Tuesday, etc. First thing in the morning is email, blogs, "marketing". Then errands or household chores. If I'm free of that stuff, then I open the WIP, or deal with edits/revisions if I'm under the gun from my editor. I write my blogs for the next day/week when I get stuck. I get up and walk around when I get stuck. I plan dinner. Or clean the bathroom. That usually breaks the block and I start writing again. This is a business to me so I normally write every day, but like when you go to a non-writing job, you don't spend every hour of your day on one thing.<br /><br />Does any of this make sense? It's late in the day and I'm pretty much brainfried. My laundry is done, though--even folded and put away! (I hate that almost as much as toilets, LOL)I didn't get much done on the WIP, but I dealt with some other work-related business so the day wasn't a complete loss.<br /><br />I remember when I did work out of the house and had The Only's schedule to deal with. I fit writing into odd nooks and crannies--during my lunch break, while dinner was cooking, on weekends between softball games at tournaments, and at practice. <br /><br />I guess if I had to answer succinctly (which none of the above is...), I'd have to say habit. I just got in the habit of doing the things that needed to be done.Silver Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15606837105470988646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8378702741483615751.post-1533332461789443612013-01-07T13:07:24.090-06:002013-01-07T13:07:24.090-06:00And thank you, Natalie, for agreeing to guest post...And thank you, Natalie, for agreeing to guest post with The Guide this morning. I was happy to support you. You're an awesome person and I'm glad we're friends, too. =o)B.E. Sandersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04336115135400388268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8378702741483615751.post-54830326186888450452013-01-07T13:00:35.965-06:002013-01-07T13:00:35.965-06:00Thank you, B.E. for inviting me here today. I have...Thank you, B.E. for inviting me here today. I have known you for years and years now, and I'm glad we're friends =). You were a great support to me during those tough times in university. Your candid posts and emails always brightened my day. <3Natalie Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01116611923169722657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8378702741483615751.post-39542525877620369482013-01-07T12:59:10.119-06:002013-01-07T12:59:10.119-06:00Heheheh, sorry Silver! I was doing laundry when I ...Heheheh, sorry Silver! I was doing laundry when I wrote the post... and right now, actually. *sighs* It is a never ending battle against The Hamper of Doom, isn't it?<br /><br />Oh, a non-list person! I hope you don't mind me asking, but how do you deal with time management, since you don't do lists very well? I've always wondered how people deal with everything they need to do without a list!<br /><br />Thank you!Natalie Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01116611923169722657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8378702741483615751.post-30115433259429066472013-01-07T12:56:48.550-06:002013-01-07T12:56:48.550-06:00Exactly, Laura! My friends and family always think...Exactly, Laura! My friends and family always think a To Do list makes it worse, since you can visually see the amount of work you need to do, but when I see it in a WordDoc, I feel calmer. I know I can accomplish those things, and I love it when that list gets smaller and smaller throughout the day.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by! =)Natalie Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01116611923169722657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8378702741483615751.post-72727330651893067102013-01-07T12:55:21.070-06:002013-01-07T12:55:21.070-06:00Thank you, JB! I think a To Do list is vital to or...Thank you, JB! I think a To Do list is vital to organizing your time. If you know exactly what you need to accomplish in a day, you can always find time to squeeze writing in =)Natalie Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01116611923169722657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8378702741483615751.post-76450987090874830842013-01-07T12:54:39.790-06:002013-01-07T12:54:39.790-06:00Hi Teri! I adore crossing things off lists. Someti...Hi Teri! I adore crossing things off lists. Sometimes I'll put really dumb things like, "make the bed" on my list, simply so I feel accomplished right from the start of my day. Sad, I know, but it works for me =)<br /><br />Hehe, yes, the internet sucks up a lot of my time too. I wish I was strong enough to turn off my wifi. Alas...Natalie Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01116611923169722657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8378702741483615751.post-86095356354566103492013-01-07T12:53:09.783-06:002013-01-07T12:53:09.783-06:00Thank you, Janet! It was tough, but it was worth i...Thank you, Janet! It was tough, but it was worth it in the end. Exactly. If you want it badly enough, you will make it happen. I think a lot of people struggle with time management--especially writers. We like to let our creative side dominate all the time, but sometimes we need to throw a little logic in there too. ;)Natalie Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01116611923169722657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8378702741483615751.post-23804759900886165552013-01-07T12:12:08.179-06:002013-01-07T12:12:08.179-06:00You just had to mention the L-word, didn't you...You just had to mention the L-word, didn't you, Natalie? BRB-gotta switch loads. <i>*plays elevator music*</i> .... <i>*returns*</i><br /><br />I admire people with lists. I make them but then promptly lose them. Organization is not my strong suit, despite that being on my yearly list each New Year. Even so, I manage to muddle through. Somehow. Congrats on all the wonderful things you've accomplished in your life and all the best in your pursuit of publication!Silver Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15606837105470988646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8378702741483615751.post-6618155262697452662013-01-07T10:25:47.529-06:002013-01-07T10:25:47.529-06:00When you're feeling overwhelmed, sometimes it&...When you're feeling overwhelmed, sometimes it's hard to find a place to start and then nothing gets done. Having a to do list helps to identify a starting point and makes tracking progess visible.<br /><br />Nice post!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05491389088378769955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8378702741483615751.post-62105327223622004432013-01-07T09:21:08.977-06:002013-01-07T09:21:08.977-06:00Some days I live by my To Do list. And I agree th...Some days I live by my To Do list. And I agree that limiting your time online frees up time to write.<br /><br />Congrats on your accomplishments and best of luck, Natalie!JB Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00926406343542569786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8378702741483615751.post-19201787530475124752013-01-07T07:18:20.154-06:002013-01-07T07:18:20.154-06:00Great reminders--I love a good list, and I love cr...Great reminders--I love a good list, and I love crossing things off, even more. <br />If only I were better at shutting down the "I'm just going to surf one more writer's blog post" compulsion...Teri Anne Stanleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15500524348027951939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8378702741483615751.post-43903253093691039572013-01-07T05:52:11.786-06:002013-01-07T05:52:11.786-06:00Very impressive, Natalie - I know how much work it...Very impressive, Natalie - I know how much work it takes just to get a degree, add writing a novel on to that and, well, WOW!! <br /><br />You're completely right about time management - something I struggle with! I think there's also a huge degree of 'wanting' - if you want it, you will make time for it (and, sometimes, that's where I fall down on my time management).Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13297537075103893956noreply@blogger.com