Multitasking Writer/Artist Mama...

Remember that post a couple of days ago, in which I reminded myself not to overdo/overextend?

Um...didn't take my own advice. Multitasking is the only way I can get everything done and still get SOME sleep at night. For example:

a) I painted the backgrounds for three new "Chinese Calligraphy" 5x7 canvas boards (acrylic scarlet red)

and while they dried, I
b) Sorted out laundry into warm, colds and whites

and then I
c) Checked to make sure Baby Girl wasn't getting into some sort of trouble. Usually she's playing w/her Legos or her stuffed animals or watching Nick Jr. or scribbling on her little etch-a-sketch thing

Seeing that Baby Girl was safely occupied, I then:
a2) Painted the actual Chinese characters in yellow acrylic paint on all three boards

and while they dried I
b2) threw one load of warms into the washer

but then
c2) Baby Girl wanders to where I am and attempts to help by fishing a shirt out of the basket. Instead of putting it into the washer, she takes off with it, dragging it on the floor and collecting dust and lint on said shirt.

so I
c3) Chase Baby Girl round the downstairs (we have an open floor plan) to retrieve stolen (linty, dusty) shirt

and
b3) finish loading washer and turning it on

then
c4) Baby Girl wants her milk, so I get her some

before I
a3) check the calligraphy, determine that they are dry, find the digital camera to take pics

but
c5) Baby Girl cranky because "Team Umizoomi" has finished on Nick Jr. She proceeds to mash on the keyboard of my laptop (which I regularly lock for that reason).

and in the meantime
b4) Washer throws a massive tantrum. Find out it's unbalanced. Redistribute the balance, restart cycle

and in the meantime
c6) Baby Girl has located my digital camera and is in the process of "Oooh...what does THIS button do, Mommy???" I retrieve digital camera, much to her dismay

so I
c7) find the little plush camera that came with her Build A Bear present and give it to her. She recognizes it and is instantly happy again.

and then I
a4) take a few pics to judge position, lighting, etc. Adjust both

while
c8) Baby Girl copies me with her little camera

and
a5) I take digital pics, pop SD card out of camera, download pics for photo processing

meanwhile
b5) Wash cycle done, move that load into dryer, start loading cold load

but
c8) Baby Girl decides to repeat c3.

So I
repeat c4.

and
b6) finish loading cold load, start that cycle, start the dryer

And by this time
c9) It's lunchtime, then naptime immediately thereafter. For both of us.

Zzzzzz...






All original writing and art copyright A. Dameron 2000-2010

You Know You're a Writer Mum when...

...you can toss around a soft football (soccer) ball with one hand and type with the other.


...you can concentrate on editing drafts while the Wiggles, Kipper, Pinky Dinky Doo, Blues Clues or Barney is on in the background.


...you can hum/whistle/sing the theme songs of the above kid shows and do it automatically.


...you time your writing sessions based on the length of kids' shows.


...you can write and feed a baby at the same time.


...you scribble stuff while in the pediatrician's waiting room or the kids' ER.


...you can network during playdates.


... you introduce yourself to the kids' teachers as a writer


...people ask you if you ever sleep and you have to honestly answer, "I don't. Not really."


...you organize your article notes or novel ideas while sitting through a PTA meeting.


...Naptime = 1000 words. Maybe. If you're lucky.


...you can cook/wash dishes/load the laundry/fold laundry/feed baby/serve snack while on the phone with an agent.


...your kids and spouse tiptoe around the house when you announce "Mummy's on deadline."


...you don't mind driving around at 2 AM with a colicky baby, since you're normally up writing anyway.


...you read books to your kids and think, a) "I could use this idea in my story." b)"Who wrote this???" or c) "If this was MY story, I'd..."


...you base some of your characters on your kids. Not exactly on them, but close enough.


...you foster the love of reading and writing in your kids. They're the next generation of writers.



All writing and art copyright A. Dameron 2000-2010

A Slice of Life of a Mummy Writer

This was my "writing morning" this morning:

7 AM: Kids are up, Wiggles are on, coffee's in the pot. Son powers up my laptop (good boy!). Breakfast for all.

7:15 Daughter has meltdown, need to calm her. Son cuts power to laptop, must reboot.

7:30 Finally check E-mail Older daughter decides she doesn't need diaper...putting diaper on moving target very challenging.

7:45 Reboot computer. Again.

8:00 Pinky Dinky Doo on Nick Jr. Son decides he wants to put DVD on, turns it on, his sisters howl in protest. Must settle argument. Son sulks because he doesn't get to do what he wants to do. Decides to throw tantrum. Time-out in room.

8:30 Jack's Big Music Show on Nick Jr. Again, replay of incident at 8 AM. Sorted out halfway through the program.

8:45 Look over friend's draft, make notes about revision. Look over other writing, makes notes on round-robin chapter.

9:30 Kids playing quietly, I run a load of laundry, and write. Find Baby Girl's blocks the hard way by stepping on them. Implement clean-up.

9:45 Son wants to get out. Dress kids, shoes. Takes much longer than it should..

10:05 Load kids in car. Also takes much longer than it should.

10:25 Arrive at Northlake Mall. Kids play in the playplace. Get a couple of chocolate chip cookies in honor of National Chocolate Chip Day.

11:30 Find out Charlotte DOT is repaving usual way home. Must take long way around.

11:45 Lunch. Chicken sandwiches and tater tots. Check e-mail. Older daughter decides she wants Baby Girl's lunch instead. Chaos ensues

12:10 Afternoon Wiggles on. Manage to finish edit draft and send it.

And that was my morning. Right now, the kids are taking naps/quiet time so I can finally catch up on writing

So...how's your writing day been so far?

All writing and art copyright A. Dameron 2000-2010