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Work vs....well...work!

My working day consists of getting up, sitting down and writing articles. Mostly, I get paid to write entertainment news which I absolutely love! I also do travel, TV and the occasional dating article (though I worked tirelessly on dating articles last year and have run out of experiences to share lol!)

After my day is over, I get to work on my novel. If I class it as a hobby, it might not get done. The truth is, it's work of a different kind. It's work I adore, because I set the rules and I know the characters I am writing about. Lately, I am finding myself drawn more and more to fiction, and not wanting to focus on the day job. That would be fine, but I have to support myself, and bills need to be paid.It's hard to stay on task when all I want to do is drift off into my little chick-lit world and expand on the lives of my characters. Today, I am finding it particularly tough!

I'm happy with what I have. Writing is what I love and I know I'm lucky to be able to do it every day. I just wish there were a couple more hours in the day to fit everything in that needs to be done.

How do you stay on task when you need to do something other than writing?


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  1. Cassie Mae26 January 2012 at 14:55

    Oh man, that's tough because I'm sure you're using your computer to do both. See, when I have to do other things besides write, it's usually away from the computer, so it's not so bad.

    But I'm constantly writing in my head, lol.

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    Replies
    1. Kyra Lennon26 January 2012 at 15:00

      It is excruciating lol! Everyone wonders why I go through so many laptops, but it's because it's usually turned on for 14 hours a day!

      I'm always writing fiction in my head too, and quite often the inspiration strikes just when I am trying to fall asleep!

      Delete
  2. Charlotte Rains Dixon26 January 2012 at 15:03

    I make the novel my carrot and dangle it as I write on other projects. I tell myself if I just finish the article, or the manuscript critique, I can work on the novel. It works....sometimes.

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    Replies
    1. Kyra Lennon26 January 2012 at 15:06

      Yes! That trick has been working well for me, until today. But today, the pull is really strong lol! I've done 5 articles, met a couple of deadlines, so I think I can reward myself with some novel writing time :D

      Delete
  3. Angela Cothran26 January 2012 at 16:12

    I set a timer for 25 min and get everything done that I need to. Then I go back to writing for 25 min. On and on it goes. I'm amazed at how much I can accomplish in 25 min :)

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    1. Kyra Lennon26 January 2012 at 16:23

      That's a pretty cool idea! I might try it, but with a slightly different time setting lol. :D

      Delete
  4. Clare27 January 2012 at 12:26

    Luckily I haven't been faced with this problem too much, yet. If I have to do something non-writing related, its usually away from the computer and in town. Plus I enjoy the break and getting out for a while.

    I do wonder how I'll juggle it once I get a job though. I have every intention of taking a notebook to work with me an writing during my lunch breaks.

    Good luck, I hope you find a way to balance out article writing and fiction writing.

    I love Angela Cothran's suggestion of setting a timer and doing 25 mins, then switching.

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  5. Kyra Lennon27 January 2012 at 12:38

    Yeah, the timer thing is an excellent idea. :D

    Taking a notebook to work is a brilliant way to squish in some extra writing time, because it is hard to juggle a job and finding decent time to write, as well as all the family stuff. I know you will manage though - Mums are good at multi-tasking! :D

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