It's About Time by Wendy H. Jones

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As writers one of the things we never seem to have enough of is time. I am guessing that most writers reading this would agree with me. Just like the picture, time is here and then it flies away, never to be caught again. 

We are living in a world which is increasingly frenzied. I know I certainly am. I try to pack too much into each day, forgetting that time is not a stretchable commodity but fixed. A good example of this is that I am writing this blog at 23:57. The blog is to be scheduled for 00:30. I've known all day that I need to write this blog and yet time just seemed to slip away - every minute taken up with other things, all urgent. Again, I am sure there will be many heads nodding here. 

Writers can fill their time with many activities, writing, editing, promotion, public speaking, more editing, planning for the next book - The list is endless. Add into the mix the fact that we also live in the real world so cooking, cleaning, shopping, family and friends are all equally important. Most writers are also trying to update their skills so attend courses, and conferences. Attending conferences leads to networking. All of these activities are admirable but they take up that most precious of resources time. As Christian writers we also want to spend time with God and with our Church families.  

It is no wonder that many writers reach burnout status. They are so busy chasing their tales (pun intended)  that they forget to relax and look after themselves. So my plea to all writers reading this today is to stop for a moment and think. Plan in time to look after yourself and to do something pleasurable.  This could be something as simple as taking a walk in the park, or it could be more complex like arranging an outing or a holiday. Whatever it is forget that you are a writer and just immerse yourself in the experience. Experience new things and allow them to change your perception of time. Yes, the books are important, but so are you. 

Ecclesiastes 3:4 says there is a time to weep and a time to laugh. I would like to use that as a basis for my own exhortation, there is a time to write and a time to relax. That relaxation should include a lot of laughter and a healthy dose of fun. 


About the Author  

Wendy H. Jones lives in the beautiful City of Dundee, Scotland. The Detective Inspector Shona McKenzie Mysteries are set in this city. The first three books in the series, Killer's Countdown, Killer's Craft and Killer's Cross are available through Waterstones, Amazon and her website. The fourth book in the series, Killer's Cut will be released on 18th April, 2016. Her non fiction book, Power Packed Book Marketing: Sell More Books will be released on 12th March, 2016. 

DI Shona Mckenzie's Guide to Killing Your Boss is available as a free download from her website






Comments

  1. Sheila Johnson1 March 2016 at 09:39

    Indeed, Wendy. I think as Christians we also have the daily pressure of considering whether or not we are spending our precious moments helping and serving others and pleasing God.

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    1. Wendy H. Jones1 March 2016 at 14:05

      That is so true. Guilt about the ways in which we use our time as Christians can also put added pressure on us

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  2. Veronica Bright1 March 2016 at 12:22

    Very well put. We do all need a little rest and relaxation, even if it's watching the scarey Night Manager on the television (not for the faint-hearted!). I love my weekly line-dancing with a lovely bunch of people. One other thought. Young people beware. As you grow older time speeds up!

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    1. Wendy H. Jones1 March 2016 at 14:06

      Veronica, you re so right in that time speeds up as you get older. Line dancing sounds like a lovely use of your time

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  3. Deborah Jenkins1 March 2016 at 16:36

    AN inspiring post :) I think we writers can be quite driven people (in a way we have to be or we would never get that book finished) but we write much better out of a life-lived-full, in my case of nature, beauty and time with friends. Thank you Wendy for the reminder that this should be a top priority in our lives :)

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  4. Fiona Lloyd1 March 2016 at 16:44

    Well said, Wendy. I feel like I'm constantly juggling different roles and responsibilities, and it's hard to work out sometimes how to make time to relax.

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  5. Fran B1 March 2016 at 23:43

    One of my NY resolutions for 2015 is to implement a godly principle that I studied last year: we should work from rest, not rest from work. Whatever 'rest' means for each one of us (however strange and un-restful it might seem to someone else, we need to respect our need for that and accord it appropriate time. Then we will work so much better. That's the theory - I'm enjoying trying it out

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