What Time Is It?

Dear Santa,

I'd really like some time for Christmas. Just a couple more hours a day would be great.

Thanks,

Melanie

Okay, since that's not going to happen, I guess I've gotta make do with what I've got. Today YA Highway's Road Trip Wednesday question is:

With Thanksgiving on the horizon we want to know how you balance hectic times like the holidays with your writing schedule.

First of all, Thanksgiving is long over for me. I'm Canadian and we had it near the beginning of October. And I've gotta say how much I love that it's not too close to Christmas and it's usually autumn-looking (well, sometimes) instead of all snowy and freezing like it is right now.

Anyway, time? Ha! The past couple of holidays, I'd just finished a first draft manuscript, so I spent much of November and December just reading. I usually slow down about now and focus on getting all the other things done like Christmas shopping, birthday shopping (one daughter has a Dec. 16th b-day, another has a Jan. 2nd b-day), baking, wrapping, putting up decorations, etc.

This year I've got a lot going on and I couldn't even imagine slowing down. I've just got too much to do. I'm working on my Daze and Knights R&R which is taking a lot of research too. I really want to get this right, so I don't want to rush, but I also CANNOT put it off because... I just can't. Add to this reading, beta-ing, mothering, cleaning, cooking, after school activities, teaching piano, etc etc etc. and it's no wonder I want some extra hours. (In fact, after just finishing the Twilight Saga again, I have this insane desire to be a vampire so I don't have to sleep and can spend my nights getting stuff done!)

Don't you just wish it was summer and you had nothing to do?! I know I do. And now I've got this song stuck in my head, so thanks for that.

The key, I've discovered, is balance. You HAVE to balance. Sometimes I wish I could spend all day every day working on my R&R, but I just can't. I've got kids. I've got to take care of myself and my house. Heck, I've gotta get food sometimes! Balance for me is doing a bit of everything each day. A bit of cleaning, a bit of reading, a couple hours on my R&R, a game with the kids, etc. If I can get a bit done each day then I feel like my day has been a success. I'm also big on multi-tasking and having an organized schedule. (Yep, I'm one of those people.)

I've discovered that you've gotta do what works for you. I envy people who can drop everything and write like crazy. I just can't, even if I wanted to. I'm too much of a control freak to let other things slide. That doesn't work for me so I do what does. I find time for a bit of everything each day and hope that somehow, I'm doing things right.