Multi-Tasking – A Typical Day!
Like most people these days, I’m a busy person. Today was a typical example. A rare day off that I’ve been looking forward to it for ages. The plan was to pop into town early and buy a birthday cake (it’s a kindness not to make people eat my baking!) and flowers for my mother, and then back home for a serious writing session. OK, so my teenage son has his Driving Theory test…no problem, I can drop him off in town on the way to the shops and then he can make his own way home….
Only it doesn’t work like that.
I get to Marks and Spencer and whilst debating between a pink or a yellow bouquet for mother’s birthday when my phone rings.
“Hi mum, I’ve got a problem….”
Heart sinks.
“… I’ve left some important paperwork at home and I need it…like…in 15 minutes.”
I do a quick calculation; there is no chance of getting from town to home and back in 15 minutes.
“It’s out of the question. It just cant be done….”
“But Mum, I’ll lose my slot and we’ll still have to pay.”
Needless to say thanks to some quick thinking disaster is avoided but, whilst trying to sort my son’s problems I lose my phone, forget to pay for car parking, go to the rendezvous only to find my son isn’t there…and that’s all before I start on what I needed to do today.
Get the idea?
Now if you are a woman, this is pretty much an everyday scenario; problem solving and multi-tasking…and that’s just in your time off!
I wouldn’t say I go to work for a rest, more of a change of pressure! I’m a veterinarian and there is a whole different set of stress involved with that. Telling someone there beloved pet is seriously ill ranks high up there on the list of difficult things to do …and strange as it sounds, that’s why I write historical romance. It is my escape.
That precious time when I retreat into the regency is time when I can leave the cares of the present behind. At the keyboard time flies, along with it my anxieties. People often ask “How on earth do you find the time to write?” and the honest answer is, “I make time.” I don’t watch much TV and have learnt to scribble down ideas and phrases in the odd five minutes here and there. Writing is my indulgence and it keeps me sane.
So you see if you need something badly enough you make it happen, besides which, I’m thinking of making my personal motto “If you want something done, ask a busy person.”
Oh yes, and my son did get his documents there in time ( they gave him an extra half hour) and passed his driving theory test (thank heavens!)
So how about you? How do you carve out some time for yourself and to what use do you put the time?
Comments welcome!
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A Dead Man’s Debt is available price $2.99 from Amazon, Solstice Publishing, Books on Board, Smashwords and many eBook retailers.
‘A Dead Man’s Debt’ by Grace Elliot
Celeste Armitage has a plan…and that plan doesn’t include marriage.
After deliberately humiliating a suitor, Celeste’s despairing parents exile her to the country. But once there she discovers a sketch book of daring nude studies and is shaken to find the artist is her hostess’s eldest son, Lord Ranulf Charing. This darkly cynical lord is exactly the sort of dissipated rogue she despises most…if only her blood didn’t heat at the thought of him…
Nothing is as it seems. Lord Ranulf’s life is a façade. Only he can save the Charing’s from disgrace as a blackmailer seeks to ruin his late brother’s reputation. But just as Ranulf dares to open his heart to Celeste, the fury of his nemesis is unleashed… facing him with the stark choice between true love and family duty. However when Celeste guesses the truth behind his rejection, Ranulf underestimates her resolve to clear his name and in so doing places the woman he loves in mortal danger….
About The Author:
Grace Elliot leads a double life as a veterinarian by day and author of historical romance by night. Grace lives near London and is addicted to cats, acting as housekeeping staff to five mischievous moggies.
Grace believes intelligent people need romantic fiction in their lives as an antidote to the modern world and as an avid reader of historicals she turned to writing as a release from the emotionally draining side of veterinary work
This looks great. I really dig historical fiction with women who are independent.
ReplyDeleteThe only way I get time for myself is to go to work. I know that sounds terrible, but as a single mom to a 14-month-old, I really don't get much time to myself, even at bedtime since she sleeps in bed with me. What time I do have to myself I like to spend reading or updating my blog.
Sounds great. Count me in please.
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com
I'm still trying to carve out some space for myself. I believe I will get to it one day! :)
ReplyDeletebooks (dot) things (at) yahoo (Dot) com
Sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteI make time for myself by getting up early to get in a walk and maybe a little reading.
dlodden at frontiernet dot net
I'm very fortunate to have plenty of free time, my job is 8-5 and when I get home I am free to do whatever I want. So what I do with my free time is play on the internet and read lots of great books.
ReplyDeleteOhhhh $10 *proceeds to sing the "I found a dollar" song*
ReplyDeletegeekslady (at) gmail period com
I carve out time for myself by putting chores on hold (if necessary) and limiting internet time. I unplug completely and read, read, read. It's my favorite. :-)
ReplyDeletewhatinabox at gmail dot com
love the cover of the book, I love a great historical romance!! thanks for the multitasking post!
ReplyDeleteinthehammockblog at gmail dot com
I'm a stay at home mom so all I have is time. We only have one vehicle too and since my husband works two full time jobs and is never here, I never leave lol. So while the kids are at school I like to spend my time floating around online and reading. I love to read :)
ReplyDeletejaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net
I love historical fiction! I like to sneak away to my room when everyone else is busy with all of their "stuff" and read. Please count me in.
ReplyDeletemamabunny13 at gmail dot com
Yum! An intriguing story line with hidden character depths, simmering passions and a deliciously dark and cynical lord--what more could a reader ask for? The cover is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI have learned not to sweat the small things. Take care of what is most important, and the rest will take care of itself. When numerous issues are pressing, make a list or two, and accomplish what you can without overstressing. Give yourself a break, even if it's a small one. Sit down, sit back, close your eyes and allow yourself the time to savor a good cup of cofee--or your beverage of choice. It's a simple thing, but it feels indulgent. There's something about a fresh hot cup of coffee that is bracing and comforting at the same time. Just one of the small life-savors that helps the sun break through the clouds ; )
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
Okay, this sounds familiar. My life is this crazy. I teach 8th grade math and go ninety miles an hour all the time. My escape is always books. I read and lose myself. It's how I survive.
ReplyDeletevalerie(at)stuckinbooks.com
Great post. The book sounds really good. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletebacchus76 at myself dot com
I'd love to be entered to win this one, it sounds really good. Love a good historical! I hate it when my days go like yours..
ReplyDeletefollow on gfc
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
i dont think i ever have "free time;" I'm always going, either physically or mentally. i wish i had more energy!
ReplyDeleteKDSyrjala at gmail dot com
Time for myself happens when everyone else is asleep, but that adds to its charm, I think. Time to myself is always about words. Either I'm reading them, or I'm writing them. And Grace, you are quite right. It would be much harder to cope without a good story to run off with at the end of the day.
ReplyDeleteYour affection for Eeyore compels me to ask whether you have ever had the pleasure of listening to the old Carol Channing recording of A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh (as opposed to Disney's). It was released as a record in 1972, but I hope someone's put it on CD. It's quite something. Really. If you hunt it up and listen to it, it will make you happy.
ReplyDeleteI am a night owl so I usually spend at least sometime each night after everyone else is asleep reading, my favorite me time activity.
ReplyDeleteGFC follower: June M.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
I really enjoy historical fiction. The interweaving of fact and fiction can be really wonderful and memorable.
ReplyDeleteVivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
You must have some really great time management skills to juggle being a veterinarian and an author and take care of a family. For me, I am always on the lookout for some time to do what I want and as my kids get older it is easier to find the time.
ReplyDeletemce1011 AT aol DOT com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteha thats definitely a thought... busy people are the ones who get tasks done...not the lazy ones not doing anything...I'll have to use that :D
ReplyDeletethanks for the giveaway!
andralynn7 AT gmail DOT com
Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteMulti-tasking should have been my middle name. I think most moms become pretty adept at multi-tasking; it's a necessity for us to survive and keep our sanity. I make a little free time for myself by rising earlier than my other family members. I love to escape the madness of life by reading novels instead of watching TV. It is wonderful to transport yourself to another time and place while you benefit by temporarily putting your life's daily drama on pause. Thanks for giveaway. :-)
ReplyDeleteOther than babysitting my grandchildren and helping out my mom, my time is my own.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway!
mittens0831 at aol dot com
I forgot to say that I spend a lot of that time reading!
ReplyDeletemittens0831 at aol dot com
Finding time to read has just gotten more and more difficult lately but it helps to carry a book with me everywhere. Now if I could only read in the car without being carsick I'd be all set!
ReplyDeleteLadytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com
I guess that I prioritize. I try to put my people before my book, or reading other books, etc. Like you, Grace, running for your son. At the same time, I think they recognize that I need a lot of time (and quiet) for writing. We try to respect each others needs, and it works.
ReplyDeletekescah at comcast dot net