I think that getting back to the grind is my theme lately here at this lil’ ol’ blog. We’ve had a rough start to the school year with adjustments to a new school and such. Fall is typically the busiest time at the newspaper. We have a couple holiday inserts that require extra copy and Homefront Magazine‘s fall and winter issues have back-to-back deadlines. Now, I’ve scored another gig, which means more magazine writing in my off hours. The problem, lately, has been finding moments to pilfer for my own stuff. I did manage to revise my poetry chapbook this morning for a shot at another competition. No word has come from the publisher I sent my novel to in late July. That’s what this business is all about. Write, pack up and send your stuff, and then wait.

I need some kind of writing schedule. I get on one and soon I’m no longer on it. I used to get up early, but now I’m exercising early in the morning. Currently, I grab the mornings on the weekends before everyone gets up to focus. I’m a horrible procrastinator, too. Somehow, I still manage to get things done, though there are always more things to do. I have short stories in the wings that I’ve been trying to get to. I try not to use all my other obligations as excuses. I also try not to listen to all the writer who say, “Well, you should carve out the same time everyday or you’re not a writer.” I guess they don’t say it exactly like that, but when you are doubting yourself, sometimes it feels like they are saying that. It’s not as if I’m not writing everyday anyway. I’m just not consistently working on the projects I want to work on. The point is that I’ve always adhered to the idea that I’ll write no matter what, regardless of whether I come to the desk at the same time everyday. Right now, with my teenagers getting involved in things, I don’t really have that luxury. I just have to do the best I can.

I guess I’m wondering what others do about that crazy little thing called time. I’d love to hear what other writers have to say.