Pages

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Busy Mom's Guide to Writing a Book Tip #2

Okay, moms, let's talk sleep.

(Ummm, if you are a mommy with a newish child, as in under 3 years old, you might not want to continue reading...it's kind of depressing, but it does get better.)

Here's the deal:

If you are a mom you are going to suffer from sleep deprivation.

Severely.

For 18 years*.

That's the bad news.

And you're going to have to make a decision somewhere down the line; either you will be a super early riser, or a total night owl. Because folks, you have to do the opposite of what ever your kids do. You have to be awake sometimes when they are asleep or you will never get any writing done. Never.

But there is a silver lining.

Being sleep deprived can lead to lots of creativity. I mean, the old internal editor doesn't even know what to do with stuff you write when you are tired. She just kind of shrugs, rolls here eyes and mutters, "You can't possibly be serious."

And, the ideas, THE IDEAS!!!

(My first two books deal with trying to get kids to GO TO SLEEP!)

Hellooooo. Good Knight.

So, remember, in order to write that book, you need some sleep.


Just not too much.

hrh

*seriously.

19 comments:

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Love it! This was even better than part one. :-)

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Shelley--I ordered one of your books at B & N yesterday. :) I started drinking coffee this week...real coffee. I cut back to half caf today, but it's after 11 and I'm still wide awake.

My advice to mother's of young children, nap when the kids do!

Myrna Foster said...

Um yeah. I was supposed to quit reading, but I lurve reading your posts. I'm a night owl. Unfortunately, so is my two-year-old.

lisa and laura said...

Oh my gosh, hilarious. AND true. We always write at night and being mentally and physically exhausted really does help! It's weird but the words just sort of tumble out. It's 50/50 whether they actually make sense, but beggars can't be choosers.

My big question is when is the StoryQueen going on tour? Seriously. You need to do some events out in the midwest so we can pack up our kids to see you. They would LOVE it.

Elana Johnson said...

This is so true. My kids are older now, and I'm more sleep deprived than ever! You just can't get much done with them around. Luckily bedtime is early at our house. :)

Yat-Yee said...

I was trying to pretend I feel perfectly awake and energetic, but now I realize, I need sleep. Want. My. Bed. Now.

Tina Laurel Lee said...

This might be the smartest thing I have ever read. But I would have fought it tooth and nail before I actually started forcing myself out of bed at 5:30 about a month ago. Now you may have convinced me to get up even earlier.

Corey Schwartz said...

Ha, ha! Such a great post, Shelley :)

Sherrie Petersen said...

I've become the early riser. I can't sleep past 4:30 some days. But I've been getting a lot of writing done!

Kelly Polark said...

Isn't it funny that moms are sleep deprived for 18 years and the dads sleep just fine?! :)
I have had to force myself to stay up an hour later just to get writerly things done. You do what you gotta do!

Clementine said...

I used to watch the Disney Channel during those 3a.m feedings. They used to run the classics like Swiss Family Robinson - loved it. The only problem was that I'd get into the story and stay awake until it was time to nurse again. Sleep deprived didn't come close to describing it! But it was totally worth it.

Tamika: said...

Funny, but so true!!! I gave up sleep years ago!

MG Higgins said...

Sleeping is as overrated as eating. I wish I could do without bathing; it's a big time suck.

Casey Something said...

So, since I went and had a second, I guess that puts me back at 17 years of sleep deprivation. Dang. Good thing they're worth it. : )

storyqueen said...

Shannon-I only speak the truth.

Sharon-Thanks! And a big YES on the nap thing.

Myrna-You are so nice. Must get Two-year-old on a different schedule.

L and L: So true!! The tired WIP is a wild beast, always unpredictable.

Elana-See, that's part of my problem...too old for bedtimes. (That's why I do the early thing.)

Yat-Yee-Sweet dreams!

Tina-Wha??? before 5:30 a.m.? Now that's just crazy talk. ('Cept that's when I get up, too.)

Corey-Thanks, but you know how true it is.

Sherrie- 4:30?? Seriously? Wow. You are a rockstar!

Kelly-Yes. Too true. Did you know that the word Dad actually means "He of the heavy slumber" in an ancient caveman language?

Amy-I remember the Swiss Family Robinson!!

Tamika-Well, you have to sleep a little...

MG-Actually, you can write a book without bathing. The three essentials are food, sleep and writing. Bathing is like maybe 10th on the list. (Not bathing does tend to keep people away who might bother you so.....)

Casey-And once they finally let you sleep, you can't because you're worried because they're not home yet...

Daniel Dragomirescu said...

Dear Madam,

Congratulations. You are a valuable teacher.

The independent and multicultural magazine C&LH has now a new available website.
The link to our website is the following:
http://contemporaryhorizon.blogspot.com
It will be a pleasure for us if you become a constant reader of „Contemporary Horizon” magazine. Thank you!
Best regards,

Daniel D. PEACEMAN, Editor of CH Magazine

MULTICULTURALISM IS A NEW HUMANISM.
MULTICULTURALISM IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY OF LIFE.
CHMAGAZINE - A PUBLICATION FOR MIND AND SOUL.

We invite you to contribute to CHM with your writings. Thank you!

PJ Hoover said...

Sleep just feels so good. I love it!

i've turned into a night owl since having kids.

Jackee said...

What a positive attitude you have! *Groan.*

But I agree: I've become much more creative over the past years with children. Especially since all three of mine are poor sleepers.

(And don't even get me started about all the ideas that spring from the realistic dreams I get when I'm pregnant. Ha, ha!)

Daisy Whitney said...

Sleep? What's that????