Robin's Outdoors

I’ve learned a lot and still have a lot to learn since becoming a full time writer. Writing takes on a life of its own, especially during an intense 12 week writing course in something (for me it’s fiction) you don’t know how to write. I’ve neglected the blog because of class but in the end, it’s worth it. I can’t neglect my column but it’s only every other week so it’s not a burden. It’s hard to find agricultural topics to cover in northeastern Maine in winter so reporting isn’t taking up my time. So why aren’t I writing more?!? What happened to the uninterrupted days spent writing while birds visit the feeding station outside my window? Why aren’t I getting more done? Class, as I said, is a huge time drain but what about the rest? For goodness sake, I have a housekeeper who comes in once a week to vacuum, wash floors, dust and bless her heart, she’ll even wash the windows. Where does the time go?

I’ve been in the high tunnels, cutting fresh veggies and getting on planted for spring. That doesn’t take that much time right now.

So what’s the problem?

I’m not organizing my time well enough and I’m not being firm enough about my time.

You’ve heard that time is money? It’s true for writers. I have deadlines. If I miss deadlines I either don’t get paid or my grade suffers. I have bills to pay. I need the money. I need to learn as much as possible in this class because it wasn’t cheap. If you enroll in the class today it will cost $600.

Writer At Work-Please Do NOT Disturb

I work Monday through Friday. If I miss working during the day I have to make it up on the weekend. My husband has weekends off. He works very long days. I see him for less than an hour in the morning and an hour or two in the evening before he’s asleep. We have weekends.

It’s not easy to take a day off just because I work from home and am the boss. I employ one person-me. There isn’t anyone here to cover for me when I don’t work. I don’t have a ghost writer who impersonates me when I’m not working. If you work for someone else I don’t ask you to just not show up for work. Please show me the same respect.  This is something I’ve struggled with for 18 years. Do you know who I blame for this ridiculously long struggle? Me. It’s my fault. I have no problem ignoring the phone and text messages but when someone comes to the door I don’t say “Sorry, I’m working. Please come back.” I stand there stewing over the thoughtless intrusion but I allow it to happen. I’m not letting people know that it’s a terrible time. They’d feel bad if they knew I was stewing. No more stewing. I’m going to hang a sign on the door like the one above and I’ll let people know it’s not a good time. I know most will understand. Those who don’t understand and are hurt or angry (neither read this blog so they aren’t getting this message, dammit) will have to get over it.

I need a schedule, especially if all I’m going to do is write for a full day. I distract myself. I remember that the poultry needs more water and I get up to take water out. While I’m watering the chickens I remember that I forgot to pick up the duck eggs. When I pick up the duck eggs I realize they need more hay in their nests. When I go to get the hay I notice the pots in the greenhouse (where the hay is kept dry for the winter) have been knocked over by the chickens. While I’m picking up the pots I remember that I forgot to add ProMix to the list of things to get next time I’m in town so I go to the house to write it down before I forget…again…and oh shit! I was writing my column before all this distraction started so I sit down to go back to work. See my pattern? The phone call I meant to make at 8 am but forgot til 9:30 is probably not an emergency. If it’s not an emergency, it can wait. I need to work. From now on, my calls will be made at a certain time in the day (unless it is an emergency). I’m easily OH LOOK! A BUTTERFLY! distracted and need to buckle down on the problem.

I need to be at work by 6 am, no later. Morning chores will be done after I’ve done some desk work for a couple of hours. That will change when the season changes. I’ll be at work outside by 6 am, no later and probably a lot earlier, because I hate the heat. I’ll work at my desk during the heat of the day.

My to do list has gone by the wayside. It’s time to start making the list(s) again. I get a lot more accomplished when I have a clear mind that isn’t trying to remember everything I’m supposed to be doing.

In a nutshell:

• Ignore distraction
• to do list
• no drop in company
• schedule

It’s time to get back to working on my column. I’m writing about preparing the soil for the spring garden. Remember, if I don’t reply or answer the door, I’m at work.

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