children

Being Productive With a Child

Posted on by Courtney Killian (@SCourtney94)

I don’t have children. However, I have a four-year-old niece. Well, I also have another niece and a nephew, but the four-year-old is the only one that comes to visit for the weekend. The other’s can wait until they’re two. My youngest niece is almost two.  My nephew is only a month and a half old. I forgot where I was going with this.

OH YEAH.

This past weekend, my four-year-old niece came to visit. Now, I always struggle to find time to write when she’s here. She’s extremely active, and it takes both my parents and I to reign her in sometimes. So, as a result, I didn’t get Saturday to write like I wanted to. Such a pain.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my niece, but sometimes, it’s frustrating when I don’t get things done that I would like to get done. I admire parents… Especially single parents.

Usually, I end up getting absolutely no writing done when my niece is here. It seems like there’s never any time. Well, this weekend, I found time, like I’ve been so big on ranting about lately. It was time to shape up and take my own damn advice.

So, I found time to write. In the middle of the night.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. I’m crazy to write in the middle of the night like that, right? I know you’re thinking that… Don’t deny it.

Let me guess. You’re too tired late at night. You need to get up early. Your kid wore you out. So what? You want to get that book published, don’t you? Well, the middle of the night or during nap time it is.

Okay, so I’m more talking about what belongs on my other site, but still. It’s annoying when people make excuses.

I can’t say that writing in the middle of the night is the best idea in the world, but sometimes, it’s necessary. I like sleep as much as the next person, but when you’re under a self-imposed deadline (or an actual deadline!) like I am, it’s kind of important to make some time for yourself…

So, when is the best time to write for you? Let me know in the comments!

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NaNoWriMo Eve

Posted on by Courtney Killian (@SCourtney94)

This is just a little something I made up in honor of NaNoWriMo. Not that I’m participating this year. It’s loosely based off of ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas

NOTE: I have never participated in NaNoWriMo. All of this is purely based off of what I’ve seen on social media.

NaNoWriMo Eve

‘Twas the night before NaNoWriMo, when all through the house,

All the writers were planning, and saying goodbye to their spouse.

The notes were laid out on the desk with care,

Knowing that midnight would soon be there.

 

Their children were tightly tucked in their beds,

Not knowing of the month that lay ahead.

And the spouse in the bedroom, and the writer in their office,

Had just settled in for a long month’s hiatus.

 

When arose from my brain there arose such a clatter,

I snapped out of reality to see what was the matter.

Away to the world of fiction I flew in a flash,

To my characters, to be involved in the mash.

 

The moon up above shown down on all writers below,

As we kept preparing to say, “Ready, Set, Go.”

We writers must get 1600 words a day,

And catch up quickly if we let life get in the way.

 

Then all of a sudden a person appears so full of life,

I knew in a moment it’s the villain that causes strife.

More tense than cats, the stress of NaNoWriMo came,

And we screamed and cursed, and  called them all out by name:

 

On tension! On friction!

More words and stress!

It comes all at once!

Never becomes less!

Going crazy all the time!

Climbing the wall!

Go away! Go away!

Go away all!

 

The sun comes up as I look up to the sky,

Swimming for creativity, but coming up dry

So back to the drawing board I went

Hoping all my energy would not be spent.

 

And then, I heard a noise, a very faint knocking.

It was the spouse, hoping for a time to start talking.

I turn around in my chair, shaking my head,

Not believing the spouse was out of bed.

 

The spouse was getting ready for work, the children asleep,

I knew I  couldn’t get up, and risk giving a peak.

Sighing in despair, wanting a break from the stress,

I stand up, looking at the laptop less.

 

The children – still sleeping, and the breathing so peaceful!

I smiled, knowing their day would not be stressful.

They awoke, mouths curved up in a smile,

Not knowing I would be hidden away for a while.

I was torn between them, and getting the novel written,

I knew giving up was never an option.

The youngest came up and rubbed his belly,

As I spread on his toast, strawberry jelly.

 

I went back to the room,

Saying I would be out by noon.

The oldest came in,

Wanting to talk once again.

 

The children all running around with nobody watching,

I called their grandmother, who came in without knocking.

I sat down and wrote, then put my head down to rest.

Maybe, I would get this written yet.

 

NaNoWriMo isn’t easy, but it is very much worth it.

To get through it, you don’t always have to throw a big fit.

Writers everywhere will be out of sight,

So I leave you with this as I sign out for the night:

 

Off you go now,

There’s so much to do.

Good luck to everyone participating this year.

Maybe next year I will, too.