tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post6953929679960560632..comments2023-10-30T15:13:22.680+00:00Comments on Strictly Writing: When your job gets in the way...DThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11803989273524731892noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-49235751264206729182009-11-13T16:56:43.711+00:002009-11-13T16:56:43.711+00:00It's so good to read a blog from a real person...It's so good to read a blog from a real person and a writer, who worries about work and word-counts.Simon Cornishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08477584059465067516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-86793717517797485192009-11-12T19:48:08.048+00:002009-11-12T19:48:08.048+00:00I absolutely agree, Gillian. When I was at work I ...I absolutely agree, Gillian. When I was at work I used to find myself thinking about whatever short story or novel I was working on, and wishing I could get home to get on with it - despite being frantically busy (working in the NHS). BUT the opportunities for inspiration were fantastic. Lots of my short stories, and my third published novel, were set in hospitals! I used to worry me that <br />I wouldn't be able to come up with so many ideas when I left work - but somehow I've managed, so far! And the advantages of giving up the day job are SO worth it!Sheila Nortonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13997206301877289623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-60959498886755949672009-11-12T18:47:33.411+00:002009-11-12T18:47:33.411+00:00Working a day job (or two, as is my case) can be s...Working a day job (or two, as is my case) can be so frustrating! But it's true that I get a lot of inspiration from the people and situations that I encounter. It's a hard act to balance but it can be worth it in the end!<br /><br />Thank you for such an inspiring and true post!<br /><br />~KK~Kaity Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07699570256008358140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-34623358555930862612009-11-12T17:10:27.738+00:002009-11-12T17:10:27.738+00:00George - so glad you stopped by! You're absolu...George - so glad you stopped by! You're absolutely right about being structured. And if you have problems getting the notes jotted down, record them instead on a Dictaphone! So easy to do.<br /><br />Thanks again for the comments!Gillian McDadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02758782108258244355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-80194048492618709722009-11-12T15:50:49.121+00:002009-11-12T15:50:49.121+00:00Love the photograph. Personally, I need structure...Love the photograph. Personally, I need structure in my day. It seems the more I have to do, the more I get done! I can bedcome lazy with everything, including my writing without some sense of structure. Walking to work is often where I find inspiration.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07524878248746427258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-90151359096465260912009-11-12T14:57:41.920+00:002009-11-12T14:57:41.920+00:00Lovely photograph, I thought it was professional.Lovely photograph, I thought it was professional.Jenzarinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13152293618233525536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-83960590488272713142009-11-12T14:28:04.480+00:002009-11-12T14:28:04.480+00:00Hi Gillian. I happened to come across this blog be...Hi Gillian. I happened to come across this blog because I plugged in a novel contest search into Google. I don't know what the blog has to do with that yet, but I'm glad I happened by, because I can certainly relate to the whole work/writing problem. However, I don't get a whole lot of inspiration from work. I work as a software engineer in a hospital. BUT... I DO get a lot of inspiration from lots of other places. My problem is finding the time to get it all down on paper somewhere. When you work at a "day job", you really have to be structured and disciplined with your writing. I take my breaks and make sure to write nonstop during them every day, when I can. So that's my piece of advice I'd like to dispense to all those day job people. Be disciplined and write every day, even if it's only 1/2 hour a day. Good luck to you Gillian and to all writers everywhere, no matter what your situation. :-)George Anthony Kulzhttp://www.myspace.com/george_kulznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-13818196227667900682009-11-12T12:59:22.016+00:002009-11-12T12:59:22.016+00:00Good point about the interaction, Caroline! Thanks...Good point about the interaction, Caroline! Thanks for the comment!Gillian McDadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02758782108258244355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-22108492455249930372009-11-12T12:31:36.271+00:002009-11-12T12:31:36.271+00:00I do work, but from home, and I do miss the intera...I do work, but from home, and I do miss the interaction with the rest of the world!<br />Which is, er, probably why I spend far too much time online..<br />Great post, Gillian.Caroline Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04708248040141519582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-34651233688696376022009-11-12T11:48:57.813+00:002009-11-12T11:48:57.813+00:00Thanks for all the comments - it's heartening ...Thanks for all the comments - it's heartening to know others feel the same!<br /> As regards the photo, I think I should become a pro photographer too, as well as an author!! ;)Gillian McDadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02758782108258244355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-47792729628560517222009-11-12T11:44:04.978+00:002009-11-12T11:44:04.978+00:00I concur! I have used being at home with my eight ...I concur! I have used being at home with my eight month old son to my advantage. I have even had some articles published about it. <br /><br />Even though being s fulltime mother may not be construed as work in itself it does come with its disadvantages as well as advantages.<br /><br />So I try to make the most of my time on the laptop and reading wgen I get a chance to. But I'm sure you can sympathise at the difficulty with me for having an energetic baby which never sleeps!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-21228813208299570822009-11-12T11:17:19.895+00:002009-11-12T11:17:19.895+00:00I do think it is very easy to see life without wor...I do think it is very easy to see life without work as idyllic though. I've only done 5000, despite only working very part-time, and one reason has been sorting out problems with builders and dealing with family commitments.<br /><br />In other words, real life does get in the way of writing, but it also provides a lot of the inspiration, whether that is a ratty boss or gossipy morning at Toddlers Group.<br /><br />I heartily recommend reading the Daily Mail :):)Administratorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13894920115299109640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-39553583755437205502009-11-12T11:02:02.939+00:002009-11-12T11:02:02.939+00:00What a great post Gillian - it's nice to know ...What a great post Gillian - it's nice to know I'm not the only one who feels this way. I particularly liked the line "make the most of what you've got until you don't need it anymore"...definitely words to live by! Thanks for the inspiration :)green inkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10955967846673578879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-81157207134794616372009-11-12T09:33:49.466+00:002009-11-12T09:33:49.466+00:00Personally, I'm losing the battle with work. S...Personally, I'm losing the battle with work. So it's good to be reminded of the silver linings. And I love the picture - the way the building seems to bend.Roderic Vincenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06519267912305907364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-11122990478867910292009-11-12T09:25:35.122+00:002009-11-12T09:25:35.122+00:00It's so true... a quick flick through a newspa...It's so true... a quick flick through a newspaper should cure most cases of writer's block. <br /><br />Personally, I find myself most inspired by paintings and photographs - particularly vivid landscapes, and portraits of 'interesting' faces.<br /><br />SarahEssie Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04611324005960689918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-32245131408898782072009-11-12T08:40:04.159+00:002009-11-12T08:40:04.159+00:00I have to say that I sometimes miss work - the sen...I have to say that I sometimes miss work - the sense of structure it brought to my life. At the same time, I feel really lucky to have lots of time for writing and a small part-time job which gives a little bit of structure and interaction with the world. Actually, I think it's the sense of IDENTITY that I struggle with. In a job, you can say 'I am an x'. When you are an unpublished writer...<br />Love the picture, by the way!<br />SusiexSusie Nott-Bowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08428000582406338267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2725342624231517088.post-75043491437386740562009-11-12T06:58:45.957+00:002009-11-12T06:58:45.957+00:00So true, Gillian. Most of the material which inspi...So true, Gillian. Most of the material which inspires my novels comes either from observing people and interactions and personalities at work or ditto at home, with family and friends. Going to work or being a mum or just out shopping or socialising - nothing is ever wasted!Rosy Thorntonhttp://www.rosythornton.comnoreply@blogger.com