I started this blog back in September 2011 with one goal in mind...stop dabbling in writing and make it a part of my daily life for the next 10 months. However, in order to stop dabbling in writing I had to give up some other things I loved dabbling in.
I used to attend an open craft session every Monday evening sponsored by Etsy. Every week we would be taught a new craft (ie. making lip balm, working with clay, sewing, etc). I loved those nights! But alas, to focus on my writing I am now taking a Children's Writing class on Monday nights.
Bottomline, I LOVE to dabble! I love to spend countless hours learning new skills and being creative. But I challenged myself to focus mostly on writing for 10 months (the duration of a regular school year). I felt that I needed to set this goal in order to make writing a priority and a habit in my life.
I have to admit, it has worked. I feel more like a writer now than I ever did! And I am only 6 months into my 10 month challenge. Its a sacrifice...but one I am willing to make. After all, Malcolm Gladwell, author of The Tipping Point, Blink, and Outliers: The Story of Success figure that it takes ten thousand hours of practice to become an expert in almost anything. Well...I'm giving it 10 months...we'll see from there. :)
Writers Weigh In....is there anything you have had to sacrifice. "give up" or see a decrease in to focus on your writing career?
Ugh, you're so right. I'm still trying to figure out what I need to give up. Mostly I think mindless internetting and procrastinatory snacking.
ReplyDeleteI resigned from a highly stressful job and took a break for a few months. Since then, I've been able to bounce back to a healthy me. My hubby's given the okay to take a year off. So, I quit trying to look diligently for work. This has freed me to write, illustrate, set up a neighborhood bible book club for women and learn so many things I never had the time for.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if it is so much about giving up things. All creative pursuits provide inspiration.I think it's more about making writing your job, not your hobby.
ReplyDeleteAgreed...but, if you have "to work" what do you give up? Going to the beach whenever you want? Napping? When your day is full with a certain pursuit something has got to give. Ask anyone with a career job and they will tell you that they have to sacrifice some of the things they want to do to go to their job daily. :)
DeleteYes! I watch less tv, spend less time on Facebook and Twitter, spend less time going out, and my house is a mess because I am spending less time doing housework. I haven't updated anything in my online shops in months, including adding new designs. But it's all worth it. :)
ReplyDeleteMy house is mess too!
DeleteI've also made the goal to treat writing as a job. My days fly by. I don't know where all the time goes.
ReplyDeleteI gave up TV, but that wasn't much of a sacrifice. I don't go out as much I use to so when I do, I tend to go out in a big group. I miss having long telephone conversations, but I can't do it anymore. I'm trying to get all my writing in now because I doubt that I will be such a hermit come summer. The real sacrifices will start in the summer. I'm hoping by then I'lll be disciplined enough to get all my writing done despite the warm weather. In the spring it will be time to garden again...I love gardening. I had big plans to expand my garden this year, but I don't see it happening.
One thing I didn't mean to give up was exercise...I gave up going to dance class to save time by not having to drive but that was a terrible idea as I'm not motivated enough to work out at home. I'm trying to fit exercise back into my life. I sure love writing and think in the end the sacrifices will be worth it.
I gave up trying lots of new recipes and cooking involved, multi-step quasi-gourmet meals. In reality, this was not too hard to do, as only John and I eat meat. My kids still want separate, plain pasta meals so I cook three things each night anyway! Pleading and wheedling with the kids to try new foods still goes on, but at least I have not spent a large chunk of my day cooking something they still don't like!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. I take time when my kiddos go to bed.
ReplyDeleteI don't watch T.V. anymore at all except when I am on the treadmill. I gave up cooking elaborate meals. And tragically, I've all but given up housekeeping... :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to cut out unnecessary emails and online shopping!
ReplyDeleteI don't watch much TV either, which is probably a good thing. No more scrapbooking. Anything more than the normal, routine housework has gone out the window, as well as home improvement projects. Oh, and bye bye Facebook.
ReplyDeleteTwo words...toilet scrubbing. I just noticed today. When did it get so bad? I've never lived like this. Writing is a wonderfully addictive habit.:)
ReplyDeleteCool post. good for you, Marcie.
ReplyDeleteI stopped watching the little TV that I watched and I have greatly reduced my exercise (which I am not sure is a good thing). I do tend to cram writing into weekends though, as after a long commute and hours on the computer at work I can't always face more at night....
I also have let "housekeeping" go. I only do it when necessary, and this is hard for me. I also watch very little TV. Enter DVR. I tape the shows I love and watch it sometimes, fastforwarding through commercials.
ReplyDelete