I started writing seriously (aiming toward publication) almost six
years ago. At that time, my biggest challenge was learning the craft to get my
stories in shape to be published. Then my challenge became finding time to
write around a full-time work schedule (and still fit my husband in there
somewhere too!).
Now my biggest challenge is writing books with two small children in
the house. I have a two-year-old daughter and eight month old son, and right
now I think I work harder now than I ever did in the corporate world! My days
are busy with potty training, feeding both of them, and somewhat trying to keep
the house clean.
So my usual writing time is relegated to naptime (if I can get them
both down at the same time—some days I can’t!), and after bedtime. That means
my writing time is limited to about 2 hours a day. Here’s how I’m coping with
this significant challenge:
- Turn off email, TV and all other distractions when I have my writing time. I need to do this to take advantage of all the brainpower I can and not be distracted. (Thank goodness for DVR!! I’m addicted to CASTLE.)
- Know where I’m going. I am a halfway seat-of-the-pants writer, but for me to get in a good word count of quality writing, it is important that I have the next couple of scenes thought out or a rough draft of them scribbled on a piece of paper. So that way when I actually get to sit down and write I can write quickly because I have a plan of where the story is going.
- Think about my story when I’m not writing. See the above tip about having scenes in mind for when I sit down to write. When I can, I think about my characters, story, etc. when I’m doing something mindless like folding the laundry. Or I get a lot of inspiration in the shower. Used to get a lot while driving but not now that I have a chattery two year old. :)
- Prioritize. This was essential when I was working under my last deadline. It meant I couldn’t work on marketing stuff or check email or other important projects and I even had to put aside a few times of going out with friends or dinner with family to get the book done. But it did get done on time.
These are my tips for writing with small children. I’m sure they’ll
change as the kids get bigger. I feel like my writing has been something that
morphs into whatever time I can take for it—but it is important to me and I
have never been able to stop, which some people says is a sign of a true
writer.
Lacy Williams is a wife and mom
from Oklahoma. Her debut novel, MARRYING MISS MARSHAL, won ACFW's Genesis
award before being published. She promises readers happily-ever-afters
guaranteed.
Lacy combines her love of dogs
with her passion for literacy by volunteering with her therapy dog Mr. Bingley
in a local Kids Reading to Dogs program.
Lacy loves to hear from
readers. She posts short stories and giveaways at her website http://www.lacywilliams.net and can be
found on social media at http://www.facebook.com/lacywilliamsbooks
and www.twitter.com/lacy_williams.
About THE HOMESTEADER'S SWEETHEART
To escape a dreaded arranged marriage, Penny Castlerock will face anything—even life on her grandfather's farm. But it isn't the rustic lifestyle that's got the Philadelphia socialite tied in knots. It's the handsome homesteader and his eight adopted children next door….
With seven boys and a girl to raise, transplanted farmer Jonas White could sure use some help. He just didn't expect it to come from the high-spirited, copper-haired beauty he's always admired from afar. But surely working the land is no life for a woman like Penny. Yet a threat to Jonas's farm just might show him how perfect Penny is for him after all.
To escape a dreaded arranged marriage, Penny Castlerock will face anything—even life on her grandfather's farm. But it isn't the rustic lifestyle that's got the Philadelphia socialite tied in knots. It's the handsome homesteader and his eight adopted children next door….
With seven boys and a girl to raise, transplanted farmer Jonas White could sure use some help. He just didn't expect it to come from the high-spirited, copper-haired beauty he's always admired from afar. But surely working the land is no life for a woman like Penny. Yet a threat to Jonas's farm just might show him how perfect Penny is for him after all.
