help me pull my act together

[shamguy4]

I am having an issue (whats new)

I love creating... Anything to do with creating. Making a picture in gimp (no I dont use photoshop), trying to make a game, programming... and writing.

It's the reason I started writing. Because I get to create my own world.
I also love programming and making software and games and stuff.

I stopped doing those things when I took up writing.
I now am in college taking computer courses.
I am doing very well! In fact I'm almost top in my class.... ok I am top. (dont mean to brag- really)

Problem is I'm getting very into the programming and computer stuff that I have been slipping away from my fantasy world that I built. I have not written my book now for almost a week and a half!

I love computers and what I can do on them, but I also love writing.
I feel the writing is more of a challenge. It makes me think real deep, having to go into my character's heads and all sort of stuff...
But its harder and I have to push myself, where by computers I fall into the seat and can sit there for hours... And it's whats giving me the grades in college!
I want to do both! Why can't I? Why do I seem not to be able to do these two things?
Maybe it's because I only have time for one?
I dont have a schedule for myself and I just go with whatever time comes... Somedays I find this time to sit and write, other days here and there...

Maybe a schedule would help... But I'm afraid it wont be consistent everyday because I have classes at different times everyday.

Weirdly I find I work better on days that are jam packed with classes.
When I'm free too much, I find myself having fun doing nothing but staring at a tv or having fun on a computer... (Computers again!! Damn them computers!!)

My mind is not limited to one thing, that much I know.
I somehow have to learn to split up my times somehow...

I think college is finally getting to me...

[Green]

Mate, it's completely normal to have a bunch of stuff you love doing, but to concentrate on the thing you enjoy the most at any one time. As long as your Uni work isn't suffering, do whatever the hell you want. You're bound to bounce back and forth between various things (writing, programming, going out, watching all six series of the Sopranos, whatever).

But if you really can't face the idea of not splitting your time up equally between your hobbies, then do that. Spend one night doing one thing, the next doing another. It's usually a lie we tell ourselves that we "don't have enough time," when what we mean is, "I'd rather do something else." If it's that important, you just need to practice your time management.

At least you're spreading your time between things you enjoy Many don't have that luxury.

[shamguy4]

I really have to make a schedule..
Today I have computer class in microsoft excel...
I guess I'll be making a schedule during class...

And whenever I tell myself it's time to work on the book this mean face appears in my head and says "if your gonna write something, it should be the essay due next week!"

I really have to make a schedule and stop moping.

[mosaix]

shamguy - I started to write when I was 13 (1959) and really enjoyed it. I started programming for a living in 1963 and did it for the next 42 years and I loved every moment. It was an enjoyable, well paid, creative, stimulating career. Now I'm more or less retired, I've started writing again.

In my view there are some things you have to do to make a living and if they are enjoyable - get on with them and count yourself lucky. Count yourself even luckier if after and enjoyable career you can come back to something else that you enjoy equally.

If you can do both at the same time - do so. If you can't then the career has to come first.

[shamguy4]

the thing is.. it's not just class work thats pulling me down
Because of my computer classes I started getting back into other things I enjoyed doing -just like writing -which is something I don't have to do
I'm trying to learn how to use Gimp -a photo program -for fun
I'm trying to learn how to use game maker a game engine for creating games..
All these things are jumbled inside me and I feel myself flying all over the place...
What do I wanna be? What are my goals?
gamemaker?
programmer?
designer?
writer on the side?

[Peter Graham]

Hi Shamguy

What do I wanna be? What are my goals?
gamemaker?
programmer?
designer?
writer on the side?

Don't take this the wrong way, old chap, but this is all sounding dangerously close to teenage angst. Not much anyone here can do to help with that sort of thing.

You may or may not be pleased to learn that teenage angst will develop into university angst, which in turn will develop into career angst, which in turn will develop into a full blown mid-life crisis. If you hit 40 and suddenly start listening to hard techno as you tear around in a red sports car with a dim-witted but pretty girl half your age sat next to you staring at you with gormless cow-eyes, don't say I didn't warn you!

But joking aside, stop worrying so much. You're young. Do what feels good. Enjoy it. It doesn't last.

Regards

Peter

[JDP]

Computers for a career (and hopefully some fun - you never know!).
Writing for fun (and hopefully a career - you never know!).

It sounds like you enjoy both, so good on you. I'm gonna have to be boring and suggest education/career come first, and do your best to make time for writing after that.

I know it's not easy, but try to get some writing done instead of reading/watching TV/playing videogames when you can. With work and family commitments (as well as wanting to relax sometimes), it can be hard finding time to write, but as the old saying goes 'you don't find time to write - you make time'.

As Peter says though, enjoy yourself. From what you say, you enjoy both your computer work and your writing, so things look pretty good, eh?

[shamguy4]

I love writing and the weird thing is I can't see myself no longer without it.
It defines me.
Also it keeps me in check, and makes sure I'm a good boy!
Because I feel like I have to practice what I preach, and my character is a good guy.

[The Pelagic Argosy]

I can totally relate. When my life gets hectic, I feel guilty for ignoring my writing. But when I get immersed in my writing, I feel guilty for ignoring all the other stuff.

Originally Posted by shamguy4

Also it keeps me in check, and makes sure I'm a good boy!
Because I feel like I have to practice what I preach, and my character is a good guy.

I take the opposite approach. My character gets to have all the naughty fun I'm not daring enough to enjoy myself. And she has awesome powers. It's not fair.