Erin Quill
Writing and Working Full-Time: My Schedule (December 2020)
I know that plenty of people write and work full-time jobs, while juggling the pins they need to when they have to get stuff done. And I guess I do the same, but I want to break down my work and writing cycle to not only remove the clutter of it from my brain but to also give you a glimpse into my sometimes chaotic life.
Monday - Thursday:
6:26am: Alarm goes off.
6:41-6:52am: Roll out of bed and get ready for the day.
6:52-6:59am: Feed and provide new water for the cat (Caesar).
7:00am: Start work.
10:00am: Contemplate lunch.
11:45am-Noon: Work some more.
12:00-12:30pm: Where is lunch?!?! *sobs dramatically*
12:15-12:30pm: Make lunch.
12:30pm: Yay lunch!
1:00-3:15pm: Need to get everything done at work.
1:30-3:00pm: Cat steps on my keyboard, yowls, and paws at me for food.
3:00pm: Finally feed cat.
3:15-6:00pm: Stay aware of work phone in case clients or coworkers need me.
Potentially keep working if new projects come in.
Watch the sky get dark.
Go for a walk if not pouring.
Eat snacks and lounge on the couch.
6:00-7:00pm: Figure out what I need to do to handle personal projects.
-Beta read story and provide feedback.
-Write or edit my twisted love short story.
-Read book I'm reading with a friend.
-Spend time with family when possible.
-Hang out with the cat (Caesar) and dog (Abby).
5:15-8:30pm: Sometime in here eat dinner.
7:00-8:30pm: Try to at least start one of my personal projects.
-Motivation is iffy.
-Brain says I need to get this done.
-Feel bad because I'm not really doing anything.
-Scroll Twitter again.
-"I'm tired."
8:30-9:00pm: Finally force motivation to kick in and beta read, write, or edit.
-I'm on a roll!
9:00pm: Brain hints that I want to watch TV.
-(But I'm on a roll...)
9:15-10:05pm: Brain wins and I watch TV.
10:05-10:40pm: Somehow waste time.
10:40-11:00pm: Get ready for bed and pass out.
Now, Friday is very similar to Monday through Thursday although it deviates a bit once I'm done with work. Freedom! Now what to do?
Friday:
6:00-7:00pm: Figure out what I need to do to handle personal projects.
-PANIC!
*What do I write for this week's blog?!?!?
-Beta read story and provide feedback.
-Write or edit my twisted love short story.
-Read book I'm reading with a friend.
-Spend time with family.
-Hang out with the cat (Caesar) and dog (Abby).
7:00-8:30pm: Write 1st draft of blog.
8:30-9:00pm: Edit blog.
9:00-9:15pm: Force someone else to read my blog so I can edit it again. :)
9:15-9:45pm: Edit blog again.
-Panic and re-read blog 12 times to make sure it's okay.
-Schedule blog for sometime Saturday.
-Say something on Twitter about new blog post coming.
9:45-11:00pm: Beta read. Write or edit my short story.
11:00-11:15pm: Get ready for bed.
11:15-11:30pm: Sleep.
Now weekends are when I actually have time for all my personal projects. I try to split up my day where I can spend a lot of time with my family and the animals. But as for whether or not that happens exactly how I hope...up in the air.
Saturday:
8:30-9:00am: Wake up to a cute and sleepy kitty cat.
-I woke earlier to feed him.
9:00am-5:00pm: Scheduled blog post goes out into the world.
-Hope people like blog post.
Spend time with family and the animals. :)
Handle chores around the house.
5:00-8:00pm: Beta read, write or edit, and read another book.
8:00-8:30pm: Dinner.
8:30-11:00pm: Beta read, write or edit, and read another book.
11:00-11:15pm: Get ready for bed.
11:15pm: Sleep.
Sunday:
8:15am: Wake up and get ready for the day.
9:00-9:50am: Virtual mass.
9:50-10:00am: Eat something.
10:00am-7:00pm: Go for a walk.
Read.
Eat lunch.
Spend time outdoors and hope I don't freeze. :D
Possible family time.
Caesar needs attention.
Wonder about the new week coming up.
Contemplate taking a nap.
7:00-7:30pm: Hooray! Dinner time.
7:30-9:00pm: Actually edit and handle other personal projects.
9:00-10:00pm: Watch TV and enjoy the last of the weekend with my family.
10:00-10:15pm: Get ready for bed.
10:15-10:40pm: Maybe look at Twitter.
10:40-10:45pm: Fall asleep.
...and repeat.