Catherine Dilts
When I retired from the corporate office job recently, I
envisioned sitting at my computer for eight hours a day, churning out fiction
manuscripts at a frenetic pace.
Even though I knew better.
During my day job years, I wrote some of my published
stories in fifteen-minute increments with time seized out of a busy schedule.
Like many writers, the flashes of brilliance I had during work hours had to be
jotted down surreptitiously, for later development. Not exactly satisfying,
this process felt like piecing together scraps to make a quilt.
When off the clock, I might have the luxury of six to eight hours to focus on a project. A few writing marathons went even longer. I wrote on Sundays, and even used holidays to write fiction. I participated in NaNoWriMo several times. To get 50,000 words slammed down in a month, you have to plant your rear on a chair and work long hours.
When I went to my doctor with a shoulder complaint a few
years ago, I did the math. Between the day job and writing fiction, I was
frequently at the computer twelve hours a day. Not every day. But often enough.
That kind of workload is not sustainable. Physically. Excessively long writing
sessions resulted in a couple stints with physical therapy.
When I no longer had a day job whittling away my time, I
slid to the opposite extreme a few times. Briefly. I am at heart a workaholic.
These forays into slackerdom didn’t last long.
Realizing I can go to either extreme, I keep a timesheet for
my writing. And a fitness schedule for my walking and running. Both need to
happen, or else everything starts to break down. Both require consistency. Both
work and fitness activities also require breaks. Recovery days.
Saturday the weather finally cleared up enough for an
outdoor walk. My husband and I enjoyed the fresh air, sunshine, and birds. The small
brown birds were chirping with delight to bask in warm sun after a long cold
spell. I almost felt like chirping, too.
Taking breaks from writing is necessary. Breaks offer a refreshing change of pace that often inspires a new story. On the flip side, inspiration is nothing without work to give it form. It’s all about balancing work and play, diligence and rest.
How do you balance the demands and delights in your life?
