Comments on: Balancing Writing in a Creative Family: How Do You Do It? http://christinakatz.com/balancing-writing-in-a-creative-family-how-do-you-do-it/ Write well, sell what you write, specialize, build your platform, partner wisely, keep learning, and prosper in the gig economy. Thu, 17 May 2012 04:41:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: christinakatz http://christinakatz.com/balancing-writing-in-a-creative-family-how-do-you-do-it/comment-page-1/#comment-776 christinakatz Thu, 29 Jul 2010 04:14:24 +0000 http://christinakatz.com/?p=1449#comment-776 "The promise of tomorrow seems to haunt my today." I don't know a writer who is immune to this, Jen. Thanks for sharing! And so eloquently. :) “The promise of tomorrow seems to haunt my today.” I don't know a writer who is immune to this, Jen. Thanks for sharing! And so eloquently. :)

]]> By: Jen H. http://christinakatz.com/balancing-writing-in-a-creative-family-how-do-you-do-it/comment-page-1/#comment-775 Jen H. Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:45:38 +0000 http://christinakatz.com/?p=1449#comment-775 I couldn't agree more, Christina, that what we need more than physical space is mental health. I have an uber-supportive husband, a nice writing space, and don't have children, so the distractions are more internal. The self-sabotage: promises I make that since I spent the morning cleaning the house, or working out, or grading papers, I'll spend twice as much time tomorrow writing (which I don't). The promise of tomorrow seems to haunt my today. <br><br>For me, it's about learning my rhythms and excuses and fighting them each morning; about not lying to myself about why I don't write; about not letting the future lull me into inaction. I suppose my writing habit will eventually evolve, but for now, I have to clear my head and put my behind in the seat (not check email, not surf, not answer emails), but find that mental space where I say to myself "I'm a writer" and then believe it enough to act. <br><br>Thanks for the thoughts!<br>Jen I couldn't agree more, Christina, that what we need more than physical space is mental health. I have an uber-supportive husband, a nice writing space, and don't have children, so the distractions are more internal. The self-sabotage: promises I make that since I spent the morning cleaning the house, or working out, or grading papers, I'll spend twice as much time tomorrow writing (which I don't). The promise of tomorrow seems to haunt my today.

For me, it's about learning my rhythms and excuses and fighting them each morning; about not lying to myself about why I don't write; about not letting the future lull me into inaction. I suppose my writing habit will eventually evolve, but for now, I have to clear my head and put my behind in the seat (not check email, not surf, not answer emails), but find that mental space where I say to myself “I'm a writer” and then believe it enough to act.

Thanks for the thoughts!
Jen

]]> By: christinakatz http://christinakatz.com/balancing-writing-in-a-creative-family-how-do-you-do-it/comment-page-1/#comment-772 christinakatz Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:54:45 +0000 http://christinakatz.com/?p=1449#comment-772 Ah, yes, the assumption that you are home eating bon-bons and watching videos. I think most writing moms are familiar with that assumption...and how far from reality it actually is. :) Ah, yes, the assumption that you are home eating bon-bons and watching videos. I think most writing moms are familiar with that assumption…and how far from reality it actually is. :)

]]> By: christinakatz http://christinakatz.com/balancing-writing-in-a-creative-family-how-do-you-do-it/comment-page-1/#comment-773 christinakatz Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:53:43 +0000 http://christinakatz.com/?p=1449#comment-773 You're welcome. Thanks for participating, Christie. :) You're welcome. Thanks for participating, Christie. :)

]]> By: christinakatz http://christinakatz.com/balancing-writing-in-a-creative-family-how-do-you-do-it/comment-page-1/#comment-774 christinakatz Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:53:12 +0000 http://christinakatz.com/?p=1449#comment-774 Thanks for chiming in, Hanna. :) Thanks for chiming in, Hanna. :)

]]> By: christinakatz http://christinakatz.com/balancing-writing-in-a-creative-family-how-do-you-do-it/comment-page-1/#comment-771 christinakatz Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:52:17 +0000 http://christinakatz.com/?p=1449#comment-771 Thanks for sharing, Carol. :) Thanks for sharing, Carol. :)

]]> By: Abby http://christinakatz.com/balancing-writing-in-a-creative-family-how-do-you-do-it/comment-page-1/#comment-770 Abby Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:09:46 +0000 http://christinakatz.com/?p=1449#comment-770 I, too, like to write when the house is empty. Which these days is practically never! But I've also become much more productive since I had kids. Writing time is simply too rare & valuable to waste. I never used to write in the evenings or on weekends, but these days it's a must. My husband is very supportive & will take the kids to the pool or somewhere. It's funny -- a neighbor mom ran into him there & asked where I was. When he said home working, she asked how she could get a day "off" from her family like me. Simple: you insist on it. :) I, too, like to write when the house is empty. Which these days is practically never! But I've also become much more productive since I had kids. Writing time is simply too rare & valuable to waste. I never used to write in the evenings or on weekends, but these days it's a must. My husband is very supportive & will take the kids to the pool or somewhere. It's funny — a neighbor mom ran into him there & asked where I was. When he said home working, she asked how she could get a day “off” from her family like me. Simple: you insist on it. :)

]]> By: Christie Williams http://christinakatz.com/balancing-writing-in-a-creative-family-how-do-you-do-it/comment-page-1/#comment-769 Christie Williams Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:47:14 +0000 http://christinakatz.com/?p=1449#comment-769 I really appreciate this post, Christina. I find it very difficult at times to balance family life, work, and writing (as many of us do). I do, however, appreciate the balance that my crazy life has to offer. without my family, I doubt that I would be able to write. When I take the time to roll around and play with my kid or have lunch with my husband, that time spent energizes me and empowers me to be productive in my writing life.<br><br>I currently have a toddler and look forward to nurturing her creativity. Thanks again for a wonderful post. I really appreciate this post, Christina. I find it very difficult at times to balance family life, work, and writing (as many of us do). I do, however, appreciate the balance that my crazy life has to offer. without my family, I doubt that I would be able to write. When I take the time to roll around and play with my kid or have lunch with my husband, that time spent energizes me and empowers me to be productive in my writing life.

I currently have a toddler and look forward to nurturing her creativity. Thanks again for a wonderful post.

]]> By: Hanna http://christinakatz.com/balancing-writing-in-a-creative-family-how-do-you-do-it/comment-page-1/#comment-768 Hanna Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:21:25 +0000 http://christinakatz.com/?p=1449#comment-768 Sorry, I hit Send too soon and there are some typos as well as a paragraph I did not mean to send. Guess my canal was not controlling the traffic very well this morning. Sorry, I hit Send too soon and there are some typos as well as a paragraph I did not mean to send. Guess my canal was not controlling the traffic very well this morning.

]]> By: Hanna http://christinakatz.com/balancing-writing-in-a-creative-family-how-do-you-do-it/comment-page-1/#comment-767 Hanna Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:19:40 +0000 http://christinakatz.com/?p=1449#comment-767 Distractions can come from a number of places, not just children. This is a good article, thanks for ahraing it. I had to look up the word 'canalize.' It's an interesting word as well as an interesting use for it. <br><br>"3. to divide (a stream) into reaches with locks or dams, usually to maintain navigable depths. <br>4. to divert into certain channels; give a certain direction to or provide a certain outlet for. "<br><br>It's a visual I can really work with, the stream of ideas that gentle like a stream sometimes and roaring at me like a tidal wave. But with a canal, there are locks and dams, lifts and drops, all the control the traffice into a manageable line. <br><br>Thanks,<br>Hanna<br><br><br>As for the distractions, it is tough when living with someone who wants undivided attention, child or adult. Their idea of supportive is not very productive. I don't do well writing in the gaps of giving that attention, so I need to find spaces in my physical space as well as mental that I DO have, not just use Distractions can come from a number of places, not just children. This is a good article, thanks for ahraing it. I had to look up the word 'canalize.' It's an interesting word as well as an interesting use for it.

“3. to divide (a stream) into reaches with locks or dams, usually to maintain navigable depths.
4. to divert into certain channels; give a certain direction to or provide a certain outlet for. “

It's a visual I can really work with, the stream of ideas that gentle like a stream sometimes and roaring at me like a tidal wave. But with a canal, there are locks and dams, lifts and drops, all the control the traffice into a manageable line.

Thanks,
Hanna

As for the distractions, it is tough when living with someone who wants undivided attention, child or adult. Their idea of supportive is not very productive. I don't do well writing in the gaps of giving that attention, so I need to find spaces in my physical space as well as mental that I DO have, not just use

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