At a recent school visit, a student asked, “If you weren’t an author, what would you do?”
It was the kind of question kids prepare under threat from teachers. I answered without giving it much thought, which is usually how you find a true answer.
“Well, I said, “I would sleep more. I would watch television now and then, and not just the news. I would finish the project I’ve had on my weaving loom for two years and go back to spinning. I would talk on the phone and make pastry and invite people over for dinner. I would cook things that take longer than half an hour.”
The boy blinked at me, and I knew it was TMI, but I continued to unfurl my mental list.
I would continue researching my family tree. I would read more for pleasure and less to a purpose and go back to my other book club. I would get out in the garden and walk in the woods and daydream in the ether and not on the page.
I would buy better Christmas presents and be fully present with my sons when they tell their stories.
I would volunteer more and get involved with a political campaign again.
None of these things are wasting time. But they are the things that go when a person with a family and a full time job becomes a writer.
I used to teach a time management course to interns. “There will never be enough time for everything,” I declared, “But there will always be enough time for the most important things.”
I’m not so sure.
It was the kind of question kids prepare under threat from teachers. I answered without giving it much thought, which is usually how you find a true answer.
“Well, I said, “I would sleep more. I would watch television now and then, and not just the news. I would finish the project I’ve had on my weaving loom for two years and go back to spinning. I would talk on the phone and make pastry and invite people over for dinner. I would cook things that take longer than half an hour.”
The boy blinked at me, and I knew it was TMI, but I continued to unfurl my mental list.
I would continue researching my family tree. I would read more for pleasure and less to a purpose and go back to my other book club. I would get out in the garden and walk in the woods and daydream in the ether and not on the page.
I would buy better Christmas presents and be fully present with my sons when they tell their stories.
I would volunteer more and get involved with a political campaign again.
None of these things are wasting time. But they are the things that go when a person with a family and a full time job becomes a writer.
I used to teach a time management course to interns. “There will never be enough time for everything,” I declared, “But there will always be enough time for the most important things.”
I’m not so sure.
1 comment:
WOW! I felt it was a good idea to come and thank you for commenting/viewing on our blog. It's an honor to see comments from authors such as yourself. I hope you enjoyed your visit to the Maelstrom as we were certainly excited to have you.
*Aella Siofra*
and
~Medeia Senka~
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