tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post7813449000818775640..comments2024-03-28T13:35:16.194-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: How Can a Busy Mom Make Time for Writing?Jody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-73171996453502508042010-07-28T14:23:22.228-04:002010-07-28T14:23:22.228-04:00Hear, hear!Hear, hear!claire Kinghttp://www.claire-king.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-43355270473049136642010-07-28T08:39:23.549-04:002010-07-28T08:39:23.549-04:00Jody,
Thank you for sharing your insights! I have...Jody,<br /><br />Thank you for sharing your insights! I have three children ages 6, 4 and 1 and I understand how hard it can be to get time to yourself to write as well. I like your tips, especially of ordering pizza! Yes! ;) I tend to stay up late to write because I am not an earlybird. Also I tend to procrastinate on laundry. Laundry is my nemesis and one day I will banish it forever!!<br /><br />Congrats on your second book! Many blessings to you and yours!<br /><br />MonicaMonica Lauren Chriscoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16299305259123662897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-5012171786332424062010-07-23T07:33:24.884-04:002010-07-23T07:33:24.884-04:00Wow, excellent post. Just found your blog. These a...Wow, excellent post. Just found your blog. These are very helpful tips - I'm already doing most of them. I have a full time job, three kiddies and I write, mostly in the evening when the kids have gone to bed. I hear everything you say loud and clear!!! I don't even think I have any other suggestions. Nice to meet you!Angiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12526875813399934443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-10588707407120470982010-07-18T19:01:10.266-04:002010-07-18T19:01:10.266-04:00When I write, it's generally at night. Althou...When I write, it's generally at night. Although things might change with school starting back up in September (as I will have mornings to myself). I'm focusing on my kids this Summer and on stepping into the role of a Stampin' Up demonstrator, so I haven't taken as much time for my writing. I can do that since I don't have any writing deadlines like you do. lol :) I applaud your dedication!CMOM Productionshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04595915747223847421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-63948476915344121762010-07-16T21:25:54.464-04:002010-07-16T21:25:54.464-04:00Great tips! Problem is, I don't want to sacrif...Great tips! Problem is, I don't want to sacrifice. I like my hobbies and my shows. But I guess that's a perk of not being published--no deadlines, except the self-imposed ones.KAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01492662417610004495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-30993127810417089312010-07-15T20:26:33.324-04:002010-07-15T20:26:33.324-04:00Wow you have a handful at home! You should be very...Wow you have a handful at home! You should be very proud! Keeping up your home life and your writing!<br /><br />Awesome job.VICTORIA SAAVEDRAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10329745716789899212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-13993323825331395342010-07-15T17:04:12.030-04:002010-07-15T17:04:12.030-04:00And so it goes with the writer's life. But as ...And so it goes with the writer's life. But as with anything else, we cannot do it all. Good tips, thanks!<br />Blessings,<br />Karen :)Karen Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-71347494386023182102010-07-15T13:37:03.352-04:002010-07-15T13:37:03.352-04:00I have given up my hobbies too. :-( And I hardly e...I have given up my hobbies too. :-( And I hardly ever watch tv, unless it's American Idol season. Even then, I kill two birds with one stone, because this is how my oldest wants to spend time with me. :-) <br /><br />Writing does take sacrifice, but as long as we're not sacrificing the more important things in life ... then write on!!!~Brendahttp://thebrokenquill.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-85281764007135944842010-07-15T10:49:40.589-04:002010-07-15T10:49:40.589-04:00It's interesting reading the last post and thi...It's interesting reading the last post and this one because you're saying basically the same things in both. And very wise and thoughtful things. It's really about setting priorities for ourselves and being willing to let things go that don't get us where we want to be. And balance. Always striving for balance - some days more successfully than others.Deb Shuckahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03439395710731341021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-65600980662889096642010-07-15T10:20:41.218-04:002010-07-15T10:20:41.218-04:00I'm like Susan R. I have to have a deadline to...I'm like Susan R. I have to have a deadline to get my work done. I call is school mentality but it works for me! Having my Power Group helps me keep accountable to my goals too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-17735284195039709402010-07-15T07:53:45.694-04:002010-07-15T07:53:45.694-04:00LOVE this Jody!!! This sounds very similar to how ...LOVE this Jody!!! This sounds very similar to how I figure it out, although some days I fail royally!<br /><br />I view my writing as a part-time job in addition to being a mom and having a full-time job. If it were just a hobby, I'd have cast it aside a long time ago for lack of time.<br /><br />Now, that said, I've taken a little sabaticle due to baby, but it is temporary and I hope very soon that my creative brain can function again so I can get back to it! <br /><br />LOVE your tips! And uh, I didn't find anything funny about the pizza/order out thing. You mean that's BAD?!? Whoops!Krista Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10772828583379163612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-25951897454367303662010-07-14T22:29:22.530-04:002010-07-14T22:29:22.530-04:00Hi Jody! Congrats on your upcoming book... I can&...Hi Jody! Congrats on your upcoming book... I can't wait to read it! Rachelle pointed me to your blog and I'm so grateful that she did... it's really great! So much great information! Anyway, my non-fiction book is due out in early 2011 and when I got my book deal on proposal, I was given 2 months to hammer out a complete manuscript. I panicked. I stay home with my two kids and already balance a work-from-home writing job... how was I going to write an ENTIRE book? My husband came up with the solution: Every weekend, I checked into the Holiday Inn with my laptop and pjs and nothing else... and spent all weekend writing writing writing. I got it done! Thanks for your insight, Jody!Erin MacPhersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11665098986271579372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-766645966949604202010-07-14T20:45:12.684-04:002010-07-14T20:45:12.684-04:00Note to reminder: "Don't think writing is...Note to reminder: "Don't think writing is impossible with three kids when Jody Hedlund does it with five."<br /><br />Thanks for the bit about writing in the morning before kids wake up. I think it will help me wake up earlier!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-656161793416590982010-07-14T20:41:31.805-04:002010-07-14T20:41:31.805-04:00Great post, Jody! And very convicting ;)
I am a t...Great post, Jody! And very convicting ;) <br />I am a tumbleweed, very hard to anchor in one place. Time management has been my biggest obstacle. <br />A quote that keeps me in line: <br />"There are enough hours in the day to do what God wants you to do...<br />and no more." <br />That helps me to sift through what He wants me to do, and say no to everything else. <br /><br />With my 2 kids on mission trips this month, I thought I'd get so much writing done on my days off, but it's amazing how so many things can fill up that time. It's time to be more proactive in guarding that time! Thank you!North Jersey Christian Writers Grouphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03981039468686243008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-77493214874055727792010-07-14T20:35:18.752-04:002010-07-14T20:35:18.752-04:00Hi Jody -
Thanks for sharing your time management...Hi Jody -<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your time management secrets. A supportive family is a big plus. <br /><br />I do my best work when I have a deadline. If I have a "free" day with no demands on my time, it's too tempting to fritter it away. <br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-15501910623675273822010-07-14T19:26:24.853-04:002010-07-14T19:26:24.853-04:00Kathi Oram Peterson asked: So since you're the...Kathi Oram Peterson asked: So since you're the cook, do you write the grocery list? <br /><br />My Answer: I cheat! I have a downloaded grocery list form that I print off for my hubby once a month when he shops for all the big things. Then he gets the fresh stuff once a week (milk, fruit, etc.).Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-53843837620765572552010-07-14T19:00:08.753-04:002010-07-14T19:00:08.753-04:00Thanks for the great answer. I don't even kno...Thanks for the great answer. I don't even know what odd hours are anymore. Do they even exist? To me, any hour that allows me the peace and quiet to work is normal.Susan R. Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09578747592345750650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-14278236177993206762010-07-14T18:55:22.861-04:002010-07-14T18:55:22.861-04:00This might sound strange but lately my husband has...This might sound strange but lately my husband has been cooking dinner while I read him books on writing technique (I'm training him to be a critique partner). Hahahaha.<br /><br />Now there's a time-saver ;)Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-44062863714072755632010-07-14T16:38:06.834-04:002010-07-14T16:38:06.834-04:00I agree with everything you've said about maki...I agree with everything you've said about making the time to write. If you love it, you'll do it. It's that simple...or rather not simple, but there you go.<br /><br />I'd love to have my hubby do the shopping. So since you're the cook, do you write the grocery list? Curious minds want to know.Kathi Oram Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11959149321213743448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-85365426560333523052010-07-14T15:24:51.852-04:002010-07-14T15:24:51.852-04:00One show?? you are good!!One show?? you are good!!Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-35827761504615573262010-07-14T14:22:10.030-04:002010-07-14T14:22:10.030-04:00Those are all great suggestions, Jody. I gave up ...Those are all great suggestions, Jody. I gave up all of my hobbies, too. There are only so many hours in the day. I love my evening time when the kids are sleeping - that's when I am most productive. :-)Shannon O'Donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299313309059235876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-27466614085480403972010-07-14T13:54:26.226-04:002010-07-14T13:54:26.226-04:00Thanks for the advice! :) Working a full time outs...Thanks for the advice! :) Working a full time outside the home job and having a newborn keeps me running too. Although i DID sacrifice the All-Star Baseball game last night and worked on editing. So I'm learning to sacrifice. Sigh. <br /><br />Thanks for the input, Jody. <br /><br />And now ... the television show you watch is? (please don't say Desperate Housewives!) :)Jaime Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07768583469408522818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-49442554796572693952010-07-14T13:34:31.763-04:002010-07-14T13:34:31.763-04:00WOW! Great informative post! I have 4 children age...WOW! Great informative post! I have 4 children aged 14 to almost 3. I am also about to go back to school full time online and go back to work part time at the Christian school my kids attend. So you see, I stay very busy. I want to find specific time to write but in so many ways, life just gets in the way. I have to accept that and go with the tide.. which sometimes very welcoming. like last nite taking the three oldest to a spur of the moment movie! Thanks again for your post!MePlusFourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16437176542725992503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-12122080475460062062010-07-14T13:23:53.025-04:002010-07-14T13:23:53.025-04:00Wow... I'm really impressed with your ability ...Wow... I'm really impressed with your ability to keep all the balls in the air. I thought I was doing well with working full time, writing full time, raising two kids and juggling a husband, but you have WAY more on the go than that! Good for you for finding a way to make it all work.<br /><br />My time management habits sound very similar to yours -- things like dinner being kept simple and giving up most outside interests because there is only so much time in the day. TV is not usually a problem because I'm so exhausted by that time that if I sit down to watch something, I usually end up dozing off within about 10 minutes! So I might as well just keep working... ;)Jen J. Dannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00817943866838270699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-3336068299536338412010-07-14T13:17:50.313-04:002010-07-14T13:17:50.313-04:00Great post, Jody!
I have done the same, dropped a...Great post, Jody!<br /><br />I have done the same, dropped all hobbies and groups to focus in on writing. Well worth the sacrifice!<br /><br />When I'm having trouble fitting in some quality writing time my best plan of attack is to attach it to something else I'm doing. If I'm going somewhere, I'll arrive early, grab some coffee and write for an hour or two. Then I'm on time and I've (hopefully) got a few new scenes. Less sleep also helps, that's where the espresso comes in :)<br /><br />-MelissaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com