Anyone trying to finish a book? with children? and job?

[Greenstone]

I'm on ML with my second. Have just heard an author being interviewed on the radio: full time day job, four small kids, book just out.
HOW?
is it because said author is a dad not a mum?
I'm finding it so hard to even open my laptop a couple of times a week. Is there anyone else out there trying and struggling with this? Can only imagine it'll be harder once I go back to work.
Anyone else?

[Greenstone]

Bump

[Trenzalor]

Every spare moment. I also have software on my iPad so I can type on that when getting the laptop out isn't practical.

[Greenstone]

Ah! It's not just me then
How are you getting on and how old are your kids?

I'm considering reverting to pen and paper (no ipad).

[OneFootIn1999]

I am writing my first novel- about 2/3 through first draft. My kids are 5 and 2, I work part time.

I usually write three evenings a week for around three hours, after kids are in bed, Progress is slow but steady this way.

I don't watch telly really, which helps free up evenings. I told myself a while ago that I want to be creating my own content, not consuming content written by someone else who HAS actually gone after their dream

I also have the occasional writing day where I disappear for a whole weekend day. Luckily me and dp are both keen on our independent creative pursuits and happy to spend fewer evenings together to fulfil this part of ourselves.

[OneFootIn1999]

Ps I cannot in any way get any writing done when kids are around.

[Skylerwh1te]

Me too! Have ds 2.5 and work part time. Finishing first draft of novel at the mo but only been possible by giving up almost all TV and ds obligingly keeping his nap going. I don't know what I'll do when he drops it. It's pretty full on isn't it! I would love a day off to write in that sounds lovely (starts wondering how I can persuade dp!). Good to meet others in same boat

[OneFootIn1999]

Me and Dp have (in theory- I must say I'm not that great at making mine happen...) one weekend day a month to pursue our 'things'. It's fortunate that we both want/need this so it's mutually agreeable. But I would imagine most people would happily trade a day of solo childcare for a day of me-time, whatever form that took. Pitch it to your DP that way?

[englishmummyinwales]

I agree that it takes great discipline. I have finished a novel, have two boys aged 6&5 and work three days a week. I (almost) gave up TV, dedicated three evenings a week to it, plus Friday afternoons while my boys watched a film. There were times when I flagged, but i kept at it until I'd finished the first draft then had a little break between each edits. It's a great sense of achievement, even if nothing more comes of it. But I started a second novel in November and don't seem to be able to motivate myself in the same way. I guess it's because I've achieved an ambition so don't have quite the same incentive. I am averaging 1-2 evenings a week and watching too much TV!

[Trenzalor]

I don't watch live TV, I prefer catch up. Since having my nineteen month old my output has definitely slowed. I've written one new 80k book (I do Nanowrimo every November) and edited one of my old books. I am now 10k into a new 60k word novel. I write best if I do something first thing (even if it's just hand written in a notebook) as this gets me composing in my head all day. I try to sit and write as soon as DD is in bed, but sometimes I am too tired and admit defeat for that day. I have noticed however, that if I do something in the morning I am able to write more when I have time in the evening. I work PT and SE, but not nearly as much as when I was FT. However, it was easier to find time to write with a very intense workload FT job than with a LO!

[LancashireTea]

Not quite a parent yet, but work FT in secondary teaching in a core subject and am in the latter stages of pregnancy. I'm about 3/4 of the way through my first novel and have struggled to do any writing or editing since I fell pg last year.

Mind you work has stepped up dramatically as our Head has decided that since we did well at Ofsted, the staff can do more to get that magic outstanding.
TBH I've just gone in mat leave and should spend less time in the xbox or Netflix andore time writing.

[Trenzalor]

Lancashire I slowed down when pregnant as I was soooo tired (and also still teaching FT).
Netflix is research

[LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett]

I got halfway through a novel last year then dumped it and have now taken up a new one. DS is 9 which helps and I work from home so have no commute. So I now get up an hour earlier every day and write longhand for a solid hour. It's not going to be fast, but I'm averaging 750 - 1000 words a day.

I'm a freelance copywriter for a job so just find I don't have it in me at night, which is frustrating as I would much prefer to do something more productive with at least some of my evenings. Maybe when I get into editing I can use that time better, but for now I am squeezed of creativity in the evenings.

[LancashireTea]

Trenzelor I like how you think. Also justifies reading copious amounts of YA fiction. I did tidy the book up enough to enter it into the Janklow competition so that should give me more incentive to write.
And YY to lack of creativity in the evening.

[Greenstone]

So glad to see so many of you working away on your writing. My smaller dc is only 3.5 months and doesn't really sleep, and the older 3 years so I perhaps need to be a bit easier on myself! I did get book 1 finished when dc1 was about 18 months and that was a hard slog with work also. Book 2 is nearly there but needs a good spell of work to get it finished.

I think small word count goals in longhand is a great plan for the time being.

[cora01]

Wow it's great to hear I'm not the only one! I've been trying to write a novel for about two years - picked it up again when I was on maternity leave but since having my daughter it's been a real struggle to find time. I grab every opportunity I can when she's napping, but she tends to only sleep for half an hour or so mornings and afternoons. Hubby works long hours too so there isn't really a chance at weekends - and by the evening I'm shattered anyway! At this rate, I might get my second draft completed by the time my daughter goes to school (she's seven months old now...) as annoyingly I've had a major re-think on the plot which requires even more work :-)