Lecture Lesson for the Week of March 18th and March 25th 2019

[Sunny Irene Roth]

Hi all,

Here is your lesson for the next two weeks. It is a meaty lesson. So, as always, please print off the lesson and do the assignment. Please post it under this thread and I will make sure I send you my comments within a week.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Take care, and have an awesome week!

Irene

 

[D.L. Gioe]

These were some thought-provoking questions. For me, many of the answers are in flux, I'm happy to say largely because of the foundational work Irene laid out for us in the first month. That has really helped me get in gear and put much of the following into a healthier perspective/pattern.

1. Do you dwell on the past?
Luckily, this is not one of my many faults. (Glad there's one I don't have!)

2. Do you try to please everyone and end up betraying your writing time?
This is definitely one of my faults. I try to guard the time that my kid's at preschool so that I can maximize it, but there are always other to-dos that want to creep into that time. Some of them are unavoidable, but I'm at least more conscious about the trade off and take time to think about it before taking on any commitments for those precious hours. Also, getting up in the morning every day to write for 90 minutes before anyone in the house is even going has really had a tremendous effect - and that's time that is ALL mine.

3. Do you focus on things that you can’t control, such as if only I didn’t need to work full time I could write more?
That's definitely a temptation, but one I think I'm moving out of thanks to the foundational work we completed in the first month.

4. How can you change that mindset?
I've revamped my expectations of how quickly I should be getting published (and making millions - ha ha) so that's helped. Also carving out the early morning writing time and doing it consistently has allowed me to make steady progress, which feels great!

5. Can you make time for writing?
Yes! And I do!

6. Do you honour your writing time?
The mornings, you bet! The time after the kiddo goes to school I'd say gets honored at least 3/4 of the time - excepting things like dentist appointments, or using some dangerous product/tool for yard care that I'd prefer he not be around for.

7. How do you honour your writing time now?
I stick to it.

8. How can you improve?
I'd like to be able to expand the quantity of writing time. But for now, I think consistently making the most of the hours I have is a great step in the right direction.

9. Do you have difficulty create physical and mental boundaries in your writing career?
Nope! My home office is my writing sanctuary. I love being here. Every once in a while I get the urge to multi-task while writing, but generally, if left to my own devices, I can push those urges to the side. The one exception is when my husband starts doing some task and wants my input. He's the hardest one in the family to train that when I'm in my office, it means DO NOT DISTURB EXCEPT IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. But we're slowly getting there. =)

 

[Mel Corbett]

Do you dwell on the past?

I don't think so. I try to stick to the adage hindsight is twenty-twenty. I try to catch myself when I start going down that road. I think I need to focus on what I can learn/do better next time and then moving on.
Do you try to please everyone and end up betraying your writing time?
sometimes. And sometimes I try to write even though I'm exhausted. So, nap time today. Practicing self care first. But first, a bit of this and a bit of that. Today, for instance, I got sucked into the forums on a writerly site... posting in forums is not actually writing. I need to work on focusing in on my actual writing. Usually though, the problem happens when I'm tired or hungry. I think I need to work on getting more sleep throughout the night — which I am working on. I started having C lay down in his race car bed, and he can be awake and play, but I only have a salt lamp on in the room and I lay down on the adult sized mattress next to him. Then, I can lay down and sleep in that room while he rests and gets ready for his milk. We've gone form him being tired after 11 to closer to 10, 10:30. So this is a plus.
Do you focus on things that you can’t control, such as if only I didn’t need to work full time I could write more?
No. But I get pulled into the world of facebook way more often than I should. And this week at least, I am struggling with exhaustion. It may just be time for a nap... haha. Actually, on the one hand, I'm kind of happy that I'm forced to compress my writing time into nap time BECAUSE it gives me a dedicated no excuses time for writing.
How can you change that mindset?

Can you make time for writing?
Maybe I can make more, but I've got a pretty consistent nap time of 2 hours or more. Cillian has started to be okay with me using the computer while he's awake for short increments of time. Though this usually comes with corresponding TV or screen time for him.
Do you honour your writing time?
I was doing really good at this for awhile, but this month I've been kind of scattered and struggling to get words on the page. I'm not sure what's going on, if I'm shying away from this project, or over committing in other areas, or if I'm just tired from starting a gym membership and so am struggling to focus during nap time.
----
okay a week later. Me taking my own nap on Sunday last week has totally upped my productivity especially the day following nap time. Rest is key to getting more words and being able to focus and to sticking with my writing.
How do you honour your writing time now?
As soon as C's nap time starts, I start by making myself tea (good earth chai with a dash of cream) and eating a hershey's kiss. Then I sit down and start with a LONG graitutde list. Then, once the graittude list is done, I start on my writing for the day or my assignments from class because once I'm in the groove writing, I won't want to start in on the assignments.
How can you improve?
I need to focus avoid things like forums and facebook during writing time, usually I'm pretty good, but see the commentary about being tired and having trouble focusing.
Do you have difficulty create physical and mental boundaries in your writing career?
Yes. Especially so for the physical boundaries. I still haven't set up my own writing space... I think this might be part of the problem with the honoring my writing time issue up above. I need a dedicated space, with a firm chair. I was doing really good writing on a hard folding char with just a blanket over it to keep out the chill of hte metal. Hmm... I don't know, I'll have to play with this. And well... I need to prioritize assignments on improving my writing and actually writing. These aren't the same thing. And I need to prioritize and limit how many savvy classes I take, lol. I tend to sign up for too many courses all at once.
My husband has learned to respect my writing time or face my wrath, hahaha. Seriously, he has learned if he wants a happy wife to leave my writing time alone. And he apologizes if he has to interrupt (ie a thing for work that is due when he is not at home. He's a freelance real estate appraiser, and they expect him to be available 24 hours a day, all while sending him hours away from home to appraise houses). My favorite one is he's supposed to have 4 business hours to respond, and he got a message at 8:15am on a Sunday once, why he hadn't answered their message from 4:15am, and in that message it says "You have 4 business hours to respond".... aren't business hours supposed to be M-F? /rant.

 

[Sunny Irene Roth]

Hi Thea,

Thank you for your kind thoughts. My comments are below.

I love your answers! You did do a lot of soul-searching, which is what this assignment was about.

~ GREAT Job!

These were some thought-provoking questions. For me, many of the answers are in flux, I'm happy to say largely because of the foundational work Irene laid out for us in the first month. That has really helped me get in gear and put much of the following into a healthier perspective/pattern.

1. Do you dwell on the past?
Luckily, this is not one of my many faults. (Glad there's one I don't have!) I'm SO glad. You are right when you say that a lot of writers do.

2. Do you try to please everyone and end up betraying your writing time?
This is definitely one of my faults. I try to guard the time that my kid's at preschool so that I can maximize it, but there are always other to-dos that want to creep into that time. Some of them are unavoidable, but I'm at least more conscious about the trade off and take time to think about it before taking on any commitments for those precious hours. Also, getting up in the morning every day to write for 90 minutes before anyone in the house is even going has really had a tremendous effect - and that's time that is ALL mine. Women struggle with this the most Thea! Being aware is key Thea. Perhaps trying setting your appointments outside of writing time. Or, perhaps trying to write when you know you won't have interruptions. These are a few things to try.

3. Do you focus on things that you can’t control, such as if only I didn’t need to work full time I could write more?
That's definitely a temptation, but one I think I'm moving out of thanks to the foundational work we completed in the first month. I'm overjoyed! It is SO wonderful when my lessons help. That is hope and prayer. Thank you for your kind words!

4. How can you change that mindset?
I've revamped my expectations of how quickly I should be getting published (and making millions - ha ha) so that's helped. Also carving out the early morning writing time and doing it consistently has allowed me to make steady progress, which feels great! GREAT! By setting realistic expectations, you can make sure that you are more successful. Slow and steady wins the race faster than anything.

5. Can you make time for writing?
Yes! And I do! GREAT!!!!!

6. Do you honour your writing time?
The mornings, you bet! The time after the kiddo goes to school I'd say gets honored at least 3/4 of the time - excepting things like dentist appointments, or using some dangerous product/tool for yard care that I'd prefer he not be around for. That's a pretty good percentage. Keep up the great work!

7. How do you honour your writing time now?
I stick to it. Perfect!

8. How can you improve?
I'd like to be able to expand the quantity of writing time. But for now, I think consistently making the most of the hours I have is a great step in the right direction. Yes it sure is! Perhaps joining some sprints may also help. Or, you can create your own and just get into the chatroom and start writing. With as many writers as we have in this group, you may see others there willing to write with you.

9. Do you have difficulty create physical and mental boundaries in your writing career?
Nope! My home office is my writing sanctuary. Perfect! I love being here. Every once in a while I get the urge to multi-task while writing, but generally, if left to my own devices, I can push those urges to the side. The one exception is when my husband starts doing some task and wants my input. He's the hardest one in the family to train that when I'm in my office, it means DO NOT DISTURB EXCEPT IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. But we're slowly getting there. =) You may want to put a post-it note on your door? I had to do that and still have to remind my family that my writing is very important.

 

[Sunny Irene Roth]

Hi Mel,

Please find my comments below.

Great work for doing the lesson assignment and answering the questions!

Take care,
Irene

Do you dwell on the past?

I don't think so. I try to stick to the adage hindsight is twenty-twenty. I try to catch myself when I start going down that road. I think I need to focus on what I can learn/do better next time and then moving on. Yes, that is really the best way to proceed! GREAT job!
Do you try to please everyone and end up betraying your writing time?
sometimes. And sometimes I try to write even though I'm exhausted. As hard as this is, it is so important. So, nap time today. Practicing self care first. But first, a bit of this and a bit of that. Today, for instance, I got sucked into the forums on a writerly site... posting in forums is not actually writing. I need to work on focusing in on my actual writing. Probably the best way I know is to stay off the internet when you write. If you have another computer to write, that would be best. Usually though, the problem happens when I'm tired or hungry. Yes that is so typical. Have a snack. Then write for 30 minutes. Then take a nap. I think I need to work on getting more sleep throughout the night — which I am working on. GREAT!! I started having C lay down in his race car bed, and he can be awake and play, but I only have a salt lamp on in the room and I lay down on the adult sized mattress next to him. Then, I can lay down and sleep in that room while he rests and gets ready for his milk. We've gone form him being tired after 11 to closer to 10, 10:30. So this is a plus. GREAT!! Yes, it sure is! GREAT job!
Do you focus on things that you can’t control, such as if only I didn’t need to work full time I could write more?
No. But I get pulled into the world of facebook way more often than I should. And this week at least, I am struggling with exhaustion. It may just be time for a nap... haha. Actually, on the one hand, I'm kind of happy that I'm forced to compress my writing time into nap time BECAUSE it gives me a dedicated no excuses time for writing. GREAT!! Yes, that will help!
How can you change that mindset?

Can you make time for writing?
Maybe I can make more, but I've got a pretty consistent nap time of 2 hours or more. Cillian has started to be okay with me using the computer while he's awake for short increments of time. Though this usually comes with corresponding TV or screen time for him. GREAT!!
Do you honour your writing time?
I was doing really good at this for awhile, but this month I've been kind of scattered and struggling to get words on the page. Just start again. You will get back to it. I'm not sure what's going on, if I'm shying away from this project, or over committing in other areas, or if I'm just tired from starting a gym membership and so am struggling to focus during nap time. Sometimes negative self-talk gets in the way. Just try to do your best to overcome that.
----
okay a week later. Me taking my own nap on Sunday last week has totally upped my productivity especially the day following nap time. Rest is key to getting more words and being able to focus and to sticking with my writing.
How do you honour your writing time now?
As soon as C's nap time starts, I start by making myself tea (good earth chai with a dash of cream) GREAT!! and eating a hershey's kiss. Then I sit down and start with a LONG graitutde list. GREAT!! Then, once the graittude list is done, I start on my writing for the day or my assignments from class because once I'm in the groove writing, I won't want to start in on the assignments. GREAT!!
How can you improve?
I need to focus avoid things like forums and facebook during writing time, usually I'm pretty good, but see the commentary about being tired and having trouble focusing. Try to do your writing first before you get onto social media sites. That may help.
Do you have difficulty create physical and mental boundaries in your writing career?
Yes. Especially so for the physical boundaries. I still haven't set up my own writing space... I think this might be part of the problem with the honoring my writing time issue up above. I need a dedicated space, with a firm chair. I was doing really good writing on a hard folding char with just a blanket over it to keep out the chill of hte metal. Hmm... I don't know, I'll have to play with this. And well... I need to prioritize assignments on improving my writing and actually writing. These aren't the same thing. And I need to prioritize and limit how many savvy classes I take, lol. I tend to sign up for too many courses all at once. That can take a lot of time. You need to compartmentalize your life more. If you need help with that, let me know during our next coaching session.
My husband has learned to respect my writing time or face my wrath, hahaha. GREAT!! Seriously, he has learned if he wants a happy wife to leave my writing time alone. Writers write. Just tell him that. And he apologizes if he has to interrupt (ie a thing for work that is due when he is not at home. He's a freelance real estate appraiser, and they expect him to be available 24 hours a day, all while sending him hours away from home to appraise houses). My favorite one is he's supposed to have 4 business hours to respond, and he got a message at 8:15am on a Sunday once, why he hadn't answered their message from 4:15am, and in that message it says "You have 4 business hours to respond".... aren't business hours supposed to be M-F? /rant. Yup, I hear you!