Monday, May 16, 2011

Decisions

Wow, I have thirteen followers!! I'm shocked and humbled, thank you.

Ever since my last blog I've been wondering when I should do the next posting. I already had a subject in mind (hint, hint: see the title) but wanted to give some time for my last blog post to ripen a bit before doing another one.

When I asked Authors Incognito what the appropriate waiting period should be I was advised that it was up to me but that I should be consistent and not do it on a whim. Well, FOR NOW, I'm ignoring that advise. But after I find my stride and get more familiar with blogging I think that is exactly what I should and will do.

For now, let me get to the topic and hand and discuss some of the decisions I've already made.

My first decision is that I want to write a book. I've wanted to since the second grade when I wrote about some ghost that faked his own death so that people would stop terrorizing his town. Hey, cut me some slack, it made perfect sense to a seven year old!! I've also decided I don't want to stop there but eventually publish a book.

But, truth be told, I can't find the time in my day to take on quite a feat. I work one and a half jobs, have family responsibilities, fulfill church callings, and still try to fit in a little fun and a social life.

Well, in order to do this, I needed to give up gaming. You are reading the blog of a former World of Warcrack addict. And it was harder to quit than you would think. "Why?" I hear you asking, "Can't grow up?" No, it was nothing like that. But WoW was an opportunity I had to bond with my two brothers, who were also addicts. But as soon as they quit playing I had no other reason to stick around so I've moved on and haven't looked back. While it is nice to suddenly find a LOT more time on my hands, I must admit that I miss the fact that my brothers and I don't talk as often as we did back then. They've moved on to another game but, other than casual gaming, I've made the decision that I cannot get sucked into a game like that again.

My town, St. George (did I mention this is the best city on Earth?) hosts the hardest Ironman in the country. So for the last two years I've been toying with the idea of doing the Ironman. I've ran a marathon, I've done centuries, I've done shorter triathlons, I love doing every 13-miler that becomes available, but doing an Ironman was something that I had never done and it got more and more tempting the more I thought about it.

But when I went to the LDS Story Makers Convention a week and a half ago I realized that there was no way I could train for an Ironman and write a book. So I knew I had to choose between the two and I've chosen the book. So I'll keep training for the St. George Marathon in October and do all the foot races and centuries that we have in the area; I do want to keep in shape. But I'm dropping out of a lot of the races I had decided to do to prep for an Ironman so I'll have more time for a book.

As for TV, I get sucked into shows that have epic storylines (ie, Lost, the 4400, The Event) and there are a handful of other shows that just tickle my fancy in general. Well, a few weeks ago I went through the Tivo list and erased about five shows I was watching, holding on to just a few. Again, a few more hours freed up!

And it looks like God has made a decision for me as I just got released from Young Mens (well, almost) which practically frees up an additional night a week. Of course, I'll still need to make some room for my new church calling (Gospel Doctrine Instructor) but I think I just netted some additional time.

Last decision is to adjust my bedtime. When I did NaNoWriMo I got up extra early and wrote, and I got a lot done. I need to get back on that schedule and, truth be told, I like that schedule. The early morning belongs to me (me, me, ME, BRUHAHAHA!!!) while the day belongs to my job and the evening belongs to all the other responsibilities I have in life. This is good because usually, at night, the creative energies are gone and I find myself staring at a blank piece of paper more often than not. The right side of my brain is in full operation when I first wake up.

Recently somebody in AI had asked how somebody who is so busy can find the time to write. One response I loved, by Donna Weaver: "It's all about priorities. You don't FIND time to do what's important to you. You MAKE time to do it." So, that is what this post is all about. I'm announcing that I've decided to make the time.

8 comments:

  1. Yay for decisions. I'm glad that you're really focusing on your writing. :) You will do awesome at it. You're so much more dedicated than I. I have all the time in the world to write but what do I do, well, I'm addicted to Facebook and sleeping. I like that you overcame your WoW addiction, I've heard that is really tough. Is our Ironman really the toughest? It probably is even worse with the heat we had this time. It's not our fault we just live in the awesomest city in the world! Maybe St. George should just take over the world in order to spread it's awesomeness. You could write that as a book. "The Day St. George Took Over The World" by James Duckett.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Us Authors Incognito gotta stick together :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nice to meet another S. Utah writer. I'm up in Cedar, but I was beginning to think all the writers are in N. Utah. Good luck with your decisions.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hey, I asked that last question!;-)

    If it makes you feel better James, I used to play WoW. Even played a short bit with my wife. Now I play a game for a few hours on a Saturday night or something with my wife, brother, and friends on the internet, something that can be done in short bouts for bonding time. I don't buy games, haven't for years (although Diablo 3 will steal my money if it ever comes out...), but friends and family have bought me a few for the bonding purpose.

    Also, I got rid of my TV a year and a half ago. And my Blu-Ray player. And surround sound. and Wii. And Rock Band. I did it to better prepare financially for the birth of my son, but it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I do have a laptop with a 17" screen and a Netflix account for some shows and movies, but I am no longer tied to one location and the cost and schedule of the cable news people.

    ReplyDelete
  5. *blushes*

    James, I'm glad that struck a chord with you because it's a lesson I learned the hard way ... and wasted 30 years. Well, all right. All of them weren't wasted since I've got a freakin' awesome family and 7 1/2 grandchildren I'm crazy about, but as I've reflected back on those years I had lots of time I could have been writing. Heck, I spent 4 1/2 years commuting into SLC that I could have spent writing instead of doing cross stitch or crochet. I've got two sons who are very creative and about ready to branch into writing (one is working on his Masters and will have some free time after this year and other has begun the initial drawings for a webcomic). I'm their greatest supporter.

    So, go you, James. It's not about sacrificing our lives to write, it's about time management. We really can have it all ... even if it's only in little pieces. =D

    ReplyDelete
  6. Matthew: Okay, I'm going to have to take a few days off work for Diablo III. That is slated for Q4 this year. I'm not sure I can give up on my TV as I've invested more in the theater room than anything else in the house. I enjoy my movies and select TV shows, but I'm using moderation.

    Donna: True, the last few years I can't completely count as wasted. I've worked my way into the job I've wanted for over a decade and it took a lot to get here. So now that I'm here and I have no plans/desire to move on I can concentrate on other things, like writing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I post on a whim, too. Or well, when I get time. But better than never, eh? Of course, I don't have too many followers yet either :) It'll get there. Your blog looks great.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great post Mr.Duckett. Juggling good things is kinda tricky, huh? I hear you on the waking up thing. I wish I was more consistent with it, though.
    Good luck, you seem pretty dedicated. I bet you'll see that dream through to the end.

    ReplyDelete