1.  try to write a book.  this ensures all your spare time (what little spare time you have) will be completely devoured in its wake.

2.  work full time (but lie to yourself and insist it’s only part time).

3.  have children.  enstill within them interests and desires and the belief that they can pursue them.  let them pursue them.  watch all of your time get sucked down a black hole of practices and performances and experiments and experiences.

4.  gain weight.  then you won’t want to write about your life, because you will be certain no one will want to hear you whine any longer about your miserable experience feeling hopeless and fat and self-conscious and uncomfortable in your clothes.

5.  get sick.  and tired.  this will ensure that any little bit of time you’re able to eke out for writing will be spent sleeping instead.

6.  insist on being at least a marginal mother who responds to the needs of her children, particularly at bedtime, when they would most like to talk and you would most like to go write.

7.  after spending 36 hours working in the past week (upon your return from your writing retreat), give in to requests to join the family on the couch to watch a circa 1985 sci-fi movie.  stop several time for questions.

grab the netbook and create this post as you watch.

balance balanced living depression discipline re-gain weight gain writing