Friday, May 11, 2007

The pursuit of P and Q

I often wonder, when I read the blurb on the back of a book, how did the author manage to get their work done? How often do you read something along the lines of "So and so is the father of four children, aged six, five, four and one" or "Such and such is a mother-of-six who splits her time between Kent and Tuscany". How did they write 100 words, never mind 60,000 plus?

When did they get the peace and quiet they needed?

Take my house with just two children. The screaming usually starts about 5.30am (and it's not my screaming before you ask). Then children need breakfast, bottom changed, dressed, entertained, etc. Then I go off and do a day's work to return to teatime, bathtime, suppertime, stories and bed. At the end of that I can barely read 500 words, never mind write them.

Am I lazy? Or should I be more selfish and go and run to a soundproof room somewhere to get some work done? That's the trouble with trying to write - it is so antisocial. There must be plenty of parent/authors out there but it seems so daunting sometimes. It does get easier as they get older, they keep telling me. Still, I am going to try and do it, I swear I am.

6 comments:

Sara Bain said...

Welcome to the world of parental multitasking. Follow these simple rules and you can't go wrong: right hand feeds hungry little mouth; left hand changes nappy; right toes hold bedtime story book; left toes type new book on laptop. Piece of cake .... can I now have a jacket with sleeves that don't tie at the back please?

martinobhoy said...

And I dont have all this hassle but still couldn't find time to write a book.

I guess that makes me plain lazy....

Anonymous said...

At least you still have time for the odd grappa ...... you should look on the bright side ;0)

ginkers said...

Life Lines

Indeed, some of my best work has been produced by that tapping left toe.

Martino

One day, old boy, I can see your memoirs. Seamus O'Scemo, the Most Italian of Irishmen.

Brian

True, my glass is always more than half full in that regard!

Spangly Princess said...

hehe at least you don't work from home. My mum (De Vertalerin) spends her whole life wrestling with the problem of how to both work and look after the children.

ginkers said...

Very true, Spangly, very true. I dont really have any excuse...