General Discussion

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)

43. Ifd I had a real writing/editing job, I'd have to be working while on the job.

Reply to coalition_unwilling (Reply #42)

Wed May 30, 2012, 04:16 PM

May 2012

The one I have is just about perfect since I can actually write a couple of hours in the four hours I'm on the clock.

What I'm working on is some light science-fiction, and alas, I'm stuck right now on plot points. In one story someone has uncovered a box at the very back of a closet of a missing person. What's inside is going to be very important, but I'm not sure yet what needs to be inside. In another story, the main character has visited a mysterious room and I haven't quite figured out who else will have access to the room and why.

It will come to me eventually. I find often that if I simply start writing a scene, it just happens. It may need a heck of a lot of rewriting, but I can usually get there.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

43 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Does anyone have any pointers for staying on task while underemployed? [View all] XemaSab May 2012 OP

I hand-write a list in the morning. Even the piddly, stupid stuff goes on it as well as the enoyable riderinthestorm May 2012 #1

To do lists work for me too, although I don't put everything on them. Gormy Cuss May 2012 #4

What type of contract work? discntnt_irny_srcsm May 2012 #2

I hate to say it because my posts are almost always train of thought but XemaSab May 2012 #15

I know I would be more productive if I'd just LiberalAndProud May 2012 #3

This should be a DUzY (of the ouroboros type, I think :) - n/t coalition_unwilling May 2012 #9

First I had to google Ouroboros, damnit. LiberalAndProud May 2012 #14

Is moving an option? randome May 2012 #5

My daughter just took a job 2000+ miles away. Even doing ALL of the moving herself, it cost @ $5k riderinthestorm May 2012 #8

I know where you're coming from. And I agree. randome May 2012 #11

I worked a few times near DC. discntnt_irny_srcsm May 2012 #19

Ooh! I'm going to forward this asap to her! riderinthestorm May 2012 #22

What area is she near? discntnt_irny_srcsm May 2012 #26

McLean Virginia. She's looked at a couple places in Leesburg but I did forward your suggestion last riderinthestorm May 2012 #33

There is... discntnt_irny_srcsm May 2012 #35

I don't watch TV and I recently XemaSab May 2012 #16

or the computer. or open a book. HiPointDem May 2012 #24

Right now I am still in the "reading" phase of the research XemaSab May 2012 #29

how did this turn into a thread about moving to find work? magical thyme May 2012 #34

I have similar issues... octothorpe May 2012 #6

damn hfojvt May 2012 #7

There are Big Things to do in the yard XemaSab May 2012 #17

I try to arrange it where the small tasks add up or "stay done" bhikkhu May 2012 #28

Word XemaSab May 2012 #30

Solitaire. HopeHoops May 2012 #10

When I have personal projects I want to work on mythology May 2012 #12

Get married. Tierra_y_Libertad May 2012 #13

ways to get visibility on accomplishments NJCher May 2012 #18

Try writing a book. discntnt_irny_srcsm May 2012 #20

I have a job in which I'm very much underemployed. SheilaT May 2012 #21

. XemaSab May 2012 #23

Ah, you have a private-sector writing fellowship. Next thing you know, they'll make coalition_unwilling May 2012 #27

A private-sector writing fellowship! I LOVE it. SheilaT May 2012 #38

Yeah, I've never quite gotten the hang of purely electronic revision. There's coalition_unwilling May 2012 #39

I can always do a first draft on the computer, and some revisions SheilaT May 2012 #40

Tee-hee-hee. During a slow summer once, while at a very dull job working coalition_unwilling May 2012 #42

Ifd I had a real writing/editing job, I'd have to be working while on the job. SheilaT May 2012 #43

Good for you. truedelphi May 2012 #31

Are you looking for a job with more hours? That would take your free time. Honeycombe8 May 2012 #25

I have the same problem. wildeyed May 2012 #32

I took Spanish at the JC XemaSab May 2012 #37

sometimes rewarding myself with a brownie works magical thyme May 2012 #36

A written schedule, on-line classes, make lists and find satisfaction in striking when completed. lonestarnot May 2012 #41