Many have probably heard the story of Jesus, from the book of Luke, visiting the house of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary in Bethany. During the visit, Mary sits at Jesus's feet and listens to Him while Martha is busy with housework, trying to impress her guests.
Most of us either work a full-time job or busy ourselves with housework/media/social media/etc. Or both. Stand back and reflect on how you spend your time.
Sure, it may be fun to binge the latest season of whatever Netflix or Amazon Prime video is offering. And it may also be fun to play hours and hours of whatever video game is the latest craze. And housework? It's never done, is it?
Although it is perfectly okay to set aside time for rest, your art (or your purpose) may be neglected.
Don't schedule too much busy work when you have a project that needs creating.
Right now, I'm battling a few of these demons. I have a roof that needs new shingles, a wife that has been in the hospital since last Tuesday, and household chores are piling up. That's not all. My current project is not getting done--given how fast I've done projects of this size in the past, I should have completed it in 1-2 weeks.
My ideal world would be to have someone chose the shingles (because I don't care about the color since they're pretty standard anyway) and then have a contractor do the work. I'll just write the check. I see the value of my time, and I'm fighting with others who don't. My children, this summer, have finally stepped up their game and are helping more around the house. Our sixteen-year-old daughter has made supper nearly every single night.
What do you busy yourself with? What are you putting off because the endless list of "busy chores" are never done?
Friday, July 26, 2019
Friday, July 19, 2019
A good problem to have / Happenings In The Outhouse 19-July-2019
Although it's a good problem to have, it does have its limitations.
I have ideas for books. Many books. Did I mention that it was many? I did? Oh, good. Yes, it's many, many, many . . .
The dilemma I face is what to write next. Some ideas came to me long, long ago, while others are more recent.
An even greater conundrum are books in series. If I start a series, whether a trilogy or something much longer (like the Central Division Series, perhaps), a frequent problem is whether to write the next book or do something else. I have a few series I want to start, but other book ideas poke their head up and yell, "Me! Me! Pick me!"
Whatever the dilemma you face, do one thing: start. Yes, start. There's the saying, analysis by paralysis. You can certainly overthink something to death and never get the next project off the ground. Don't do that. Just pick one . . . and start.
I have ideas for books. Many books. Did I mention that it was many? I did? Oh, good. Yes, it's many, many, many . . .
The dilemma I face is what to write next. Some ideas came to me long, long ago, while others are more recent.
An even greater conundrum are books in series. If I start a series, whether a trilogy or something much longer (like the Central Division Series, perhaps), a frequent problem is whether to write the next book or do something else. I have a few series I want to start, but other book ideas poke their head up and yell, "Me! Me! Pick me!"
Whatever the dilemma you face, do one thing: start. Yes, start. There's the saying, analysis by paralysis. You can certainly overthink something to death and never get the next project off the ground. Don't do that. Just pick one . . . and start.
Friday, July 12, 2019
Your time may not be now / Happenings In The Outhouse 12-July-2019
A number of years ago, I used to submit stories to the Writers of the Future contest--check the contest out, if you're able to submit to it. It's well worth it.
Unfortunately, I stopped submitting.
The reason: what if I won?
Now, this may seem like a stupid reason because of course one wants to win. But at the same time, there are a lot of perks that go along with being a finalist in the contest. The biggest is a week-long intensive workshop with a number of authors in the science fiction / fantasy genre, and the knowledge gained is priceless.
Unfortunately, given my wife's health, I stopped submitting. I cannot be away from her and our kids for a week--this would be in California and I live in Minnesota. For two weekends in November, I go deer hunting about an hour and a half away from our home. Even this is a feat, because I may have to return on a moment's notice--and I have, more than once.
At my full-time job, there is an industry experience program that allows 3-4 individuals to learn about various aspects of the electronics business. This goes for 7-8 weeks, with a full week at the end for travel. Again, I cannot do this but would love to experience other aspects of the industry.
I am fine with all this. Despite these obstacles, there are plenty of things I can do. I may not enter the WOTF contest, but I do continue to write on an almost daily basis. I also publish. And I support the contest by purchasing the books.
On a final note, I didn't write this for any sort of sympathy. I love my family and will do anything for them. They are the reason I write (and publish) in the first place.
Unfortunately, I stopped submitting.
The reason: what if I won?
Now, this may seem like a stupid reason because of course one wants to win. But at the same time, there are a lot of perks that go along with being a finalist in the contest. The biggest is a week-long intensive workshop with a number of authors in the science fiction / fantasy genre, and the knowledge gained is priceless.
Unfortunately, given my wife's health, I stopped submitting. I cannot be away from her and our kids for a week--this would be in California and I live in Minnesota. For two weekends in November, I go deer hunting about an hour and a half away from our home. Even this is a feat, because I may have to return on a moment's notice--and I have, more than once.
At my full-time job, there is an industry experience program that allows 3-4 individuals to learn about various aspects of the electronics business. This goes for 7-8 weeks, with a full week at the end for travel. Again, I cannot do this but would love to experience other aspects of the industry.
I am fine with all this. Despite these obstacles, there are plenty of things I can do. I may not enter the WOTF contest, but I do continue to write on an almost daily basis. I also publish. And I support the contest by purchasing the books.
On a final note, I didn't write this for any sort of sympathy. I love my family and will do anything for them. They are the reason I write (and publish) in the first place.
Friday, July 5, 2019
My next five / Happenings In The Outhouse 05-July-2019
The second quarter of 2019 has come and gone.
And what a wild ride it was.
As you may (or may not) know, I have a list of "to do" each quarter that I call "My Next Five." I list out five major things I want to accomplish in a given quarter. This list is personal (no, I won't share it here) and I do give myself the freedom to revise it as the quarter comes.
For example, my original plan for 2019 was to complete an epic fantasy novel. By early April, I had the first (of four) parts complete. By the time I was well into part two, I decided to halt the project and work on a few others.
One thing that derailed "my next five" for the second quarter 2019 was health-related. My wife's health took a severe turn for the worst. Although she is recovering nicely, she still needs some much-needed TLC.
My next five for the third quarter consists of completing my current project and writing another one, along with brainstorming ideas for future projects. I also hope to get a newsletter out by the end of July, so if you haven't signed up, please to do here on this link.
And what a wild ride it was.
As you may (or may not) know, I have a list of "to do" each quarter that I call "My Next Five." I list out five major things I want to accomplish in a given quarter. This list is personal (no, I won't share it here) and I do give myself the freedom to revise it as the quarter comes.
For example, my original plan for 2019 was to complete an epic fantasy novel. By early April, I had the first (of four) parts complete. By the time I was well into part two, I decided to halt the project and work on a few others.
One thing that derailed "my next five" for the second quarter 2019 was health-related. My wife's health took a severe turn for the worst. Although she is recovering nicely, she still needs some much-needed TLC.
My next five for the third quarter consists of completing my current project and writing another one, along with brainstorming ideas for future projects. I also hope to get a newsletter out by the end of July, so if you haven't signed up, please to do here on this link.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)