Five Minute Friday is where bloggers from around the world write for five minutes flat on a topic chosen by Lisa-Jo Baker without stopping to edit or self-critique our work. The topic for this week is: Write.
BEGIN:
Ever since reading Enid Blyton’s Enchanted Wood series to my teddies, I dreamed of being a writer.
When God opened the door for me to work part-time from home as a private medical secretary, I rejoiced because this would give me the time and opportunity to write. The plan was for me to write and/or research every day.
The reality looks like this:
I wake up and consider my day ahead. I decide I will write my book as soon as sit at my desk, not stopping before I’ve written 2,000 words. Then – and only then – will I do my secretarial work.
I eat breakfast and take my second cup of coffee to my desk. I turn on my laptop. I glance at the folder containing the first draft of my book…. I decide to quickly check Facebook. I wouldn’t want to miss anyone’s birthday or important announcements.
Facebook checked, I log in to Twitter. After all, I need to keep up with my fellow Tweeters or how else will I build a platform for marketing my book?
Better take a quick look at email. There might be something urgent.
Several emails later, I head for the kettle and make a cup of tea.
Back at my desk, I stare uninspired at the screen for a few minutes before remembering I really need to put some washing in. Downstairs I go with the wash basket.
The work mobile rings. It’s a patient making enquiries about something or other. After the call ends, I decide I may as well do my medical work now and do some writing later.
All the time I’m working, there’s a niggle at the back of my mind that says: WRITE!
At 5 pm, there’s only an hour left of the work day. I make a huge effort to put my work away and pull out my first draft. I open the document on my laptop…. and write. (Sometimes, anyway.)
END
07/02/2014 at 5:00 pm
Boy, do I know how you feel! I work from home, as well, but I work FT….fifty hours a week. I know the nagging desire to write instead of work. And I also know the distractions that get in the way, I have some of the same ones you do. By the time I have time to write (which is after 8:00pm….when I am done working, the munchkin is in bed, chores are done, etc.), I feel like I have nothing else to give. I, too, also open up my book document and stare at the screen. But we can do this! This is a struggle all writers have, I believe. We are known to be a bit moody, yes? 😉
07/02/2014 at 5:14 pm
Thanks for your encouragement Ami. And keep going! Stopped by your blog and loved your post. To write is who we are, not what we do.