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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: The Writer's Life (05/13/10)
It’s been a long time coming but I’m finally doing it. All I ever wanted to do every morning when I wake up is to write. The new laptop is great. My new writing locations are perfect. Yes, I can write wherever and whenever I want. Life as a writer couldn’t be better.


There is one downfall to this unrealistic scenario, and that is - ‘life goes on’. Like any other mother and wife, my life has its daily routine. There’s the housework to do, children to take here and there. Appointments. The shopping. Then of course there’s my husband’s needs. There’s the meals to prepare and clothes to wash. Without a routine though, I’d never get to write.

There needs to be a time to write.

If you’re a writer you would know what I’m saying and understand where I’m going here with my thoughts. Is there really such thing as the life of a writer? A writer usually has a life but unless one lives alone on a dessert island where there are no phones, no children’s runny noses, no cleaning to do. Well, you get the picture.

My idyllic situation would be to live in a cabin in the mountains, or in a beach house, and write from dawn to dusk and then some more. Will it happen? Who knows, but this writer does have a life. I praise God every day for the gift and desire he has placed in my heart to write.

I also adore my husband and family. I enjoy having them around. I even enjoy my Mondays when I can finally have our home in order again after a weekend of visits from friends and love ones. I don’t particularly like grocery shopping but I do like to see my family eat well and cook their daily meals. "Why?" Because I love them and they are part of my life. Just as time with God is important to me, so is the life of my family and friends.

With all the things I need to do, with all the things I love to do, there needs to be a time to write.

At the end of another busy day I sit here in this white wicker chair, under the vine-covered gazebo, (that I purchased after my last check from my publisher) I open my laptop and my heart. I have found my time to write today. In the quietness of the evening, beneath a star sprinkled sky that looks like fairy dust that shimmers in the breeze. I ponder my life and the life of my family, and I thank the Lord for my life as a writer.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Brenda Shipman
05/23/10
"Life goes on"...and yes, without that "life", what would we have to write about anyway? :) Sounds like you have settled into a very pleasant writing lifestyle, and I do envy your vine-covered gazebo! Like you, I long for a cabin in the woods (AND a check from a publisher!) I'm sure your writing takes on more depth BECAUSE of your busy lifestyle of serving others. Bless you as you continue.
Joanna Stricker
05/25/10
I agree, we have to make time to write. I don't have spouse/kids but there are many things that wrestle for my time: full time work and lots and lots of family, lots of road trips etc. If we are to write, we have to make the time. Very good point and well said.
Edmond Ng
05/25/10
Too much is going on in life, and as writers we certainly need to set aside time to write. Perhaps I am pushing myself too much to the point of neglecting other important things, just to have a devotional written every week. Then again, it's what my heart is called to do, and my joy is to minister to others in this way as a worship to the Lord. That's how most of my weekends are like, and sometimes I feel guilty for doing that. "There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—" (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NAS).
harvestgal Ndaguba
05/25/10
Wow, I really loved this because I can relate to it so well, except for the check from a publisher, which I'd really love to have. I've never attempted to publish any of my writings yet. Anyway, great writing.
Micheline Murray
05/26/10
Ah--the wicker chair you purchased "with the last check from my publisher" gives my hope, Chrissy!! Glad you found time to write this week!
Mona Purvis
05/26/10
You took the practical, nonfiction approach here and put out there what many of us feel.
I think it would be interesting for each of the challenge entries to have the time on them when they were written, don't you?

Mona
Lyn Churchyard
05/26/10
I found myself nodding in agreement. There is the ordinary things of life to cope with as a writer, but, sometimes in the mundane or ordinary things of life, a sight, a smell, a sentence can give you an inspiration to write when it is the time to write.

It is so good to have you submitting again my friend :-) xx
Ann Stocking
05/26/10
I've heard "there's alway time for doing the will of God," and if God desires that we should write, there will be time... but we must choose not to be overwhelmed by the "urgent."

Very practical entry... with that "publishers check" offering the hope that it CAN be done.
Beth LaBuff 
05/26/10
I love this visual, "In the quietness of the evening, beneath a star sprinkled sky that looks like fairy dust that shimmers in the breeze." You've left me with much to consider. Thanks!
Susan Montaperto
05/27/10
Thank you for sharing your life. And reminding me that everything has it's time. It is so very easy to get caught up in the "busyness" of everything.
AnneRene' Capp
05/27/10
You said it well, as much as we crave to write, out happiness lies in God, Family and then those moments such as in your Gazebo, sharing the quietness of the night with all those stars!
Philip Barrington
05/30/10
I agree. We all have different lives to live. There are many times that I like to justlook at everyones comment and every email. Having two teenages at fifty six with a bad back,dealing with school issues and a sick wife. Having to do house work on top. Well, picture is made plain.
I go through my emails put what I want to read into folders and delete the ones I do not want. Of course I deal with the most pressing.
Having said this most of my writing to faithwriters happen during the day or after 10:00 pm at night when all is quiet.
During this time, my time with God is spent. I have learned to spend time with Him so I can do all I need to do. Yes, I agree. We all have busy lives. but God will enable you as we spend time with Him.
From the encourager