The Mistress by Laura Hedges
Justin has a mistress.
I know about her.
The kids do too.
She is the elephant in the room.
And she's not even pretty!
Justin was always upfront about his feelings for another while we dated and then when we got married. But like most people I thought he would outgrow it or at least get tired of it. After all, it took up a lot of his time.
But no. He's hooked. It's an obsession. Drastic measures had to be taken.
Justin tried to go cold turkey several times. No go. Then he tried only on the weekends. Didn't work. Finally he had to admit to his uncontrollable infidelity.
Being the good (okay, bitchy) wife that I am I kicked that damned mistress to the curb and put her on the top shelf of the closet to collect dust. Try fooling around up there Justin!
Damn video games.
Do you have a story like this? Is there that one thing in your life that you allow to creep into your life, your time, at the sake of the important things in your life? Don't diminish it, saying you're in control, you can stop anytime. You can't. You don't. You say you need it. Some, like Justin, kick their feet like a toddler when they can't have it.
Okay, your mistress might be different. Maybe you veg in front of the tv, or you surf the net, or Twitter, or Facebook, when you should be writing.
Contrary to what Justin may tell you, I am NOT a drill instructor, I swear! I indulged Justin's need for down time after work. After all, he IS the 3 a.m. Screenwriter, works a full-time job, is a father and husband. Everyone deserves some time to decompress.
But not at the expense of writing. Not if writing is the thing that you would rather do full-time instead of that day job. This is your dream. But it's also a job, kind of like child-rearing It needs its own personal time and nurturing.
"But I'm so busy! I need some downtime!" Yes, I know. We're all very busy. Jobs. Kids. Stuff with the kids. All those little things in life that require our attention. I worked a 50 hour week, commuted 2 hours a day for work, went to school full-time online, had 5 kids wondering what was for dinner every night, and I made A's. Why? Because I limited my distractions and focused on what was important to me (good grades). Yeah, I know busy. And hey, I'm not superwoman (but I could rock that outfit!).
So what's the answer? Get rid of the distractions that steal your time. Distractions do NOTHING to further the pursuit of your dreams. Instead they rob you blind, fog your brain, and fill you with guilt afterwards. Distractions are like a buffet; good idea in the beginning but oh so bad for you when you over-do it.
Small changes. Big progress.
And she's not even pretty!
Justin was always upfront about his feelings for another while we dated and then when we got married. But like most people I thought he would outgrow it or at least get tired of it. After all, it took up a lot of his time.
But no. He's hooked. It's an obsession. Drastic measures had to be taken.
Justin tried to go cold turkey several times. No go. Then he tried only on the weekends. Didn't work. Finally he had to admit to his uncontrollable infidelity.
Being the good (okay, bitchy) wife that I am I kicked that damned mistress to the curb and put her on the top shelf of the closet to collect dust. Try fooling around up there Justin!
Damn video games.
Do you have a story like this? Is there that one thing in your life that you allow to creep into your life, your time, at the sake of the important things in your life? Don't diminish it, saying you're in control, you can stop anytime. You can't. You don't. You say you need it. Some, like Justin, kick their feet like a toddler when they can't have it.
Okay, your mistress might be different. Maybe you veg in front of the tv, or you surf the net, or Twitter, or Facebook, when you should be writing.
Contrary to what Justin may tell you, I am NOT a drill instructor, I swear! I indulged Justin's need for down time after work. After all, he IS the 3 a.m. Screenwriter, works a full-time job, is a father and husband. Everyone deserves some time to decompress.
But not at the expense of writing. Not if writing is the thing that you would rather do full-time instead of that day job. This is your dream. But it's also a job, kind of like child-rearing It needs its own personal time and nurturing.
"But I'm so busy! I need some downtime!" Yes, I know. We're all very busy. Jobs. Kids. Stuff with the kids. All those little things in life that require our attention. I worked a 50 hour week, commuted 2 hours a day for work, went to school full-time online, had 5 kids wondering what was for dinner every night, and I made A's. Why? Because I limited my distractions and focused on what was important to me (good grades). Yeah, I know busy. And hey, I'm not superwoman (but I could rock that outfit!).
So what's the answer? Get rid of the distractions that steal your time. Distractions do NOTHING to further the pursuit of your dreams. Instead they rob you blind, fog your brain, and fill you with guilt afterwards. Distractions are like a buffet; good idea in the beginning but oh so bad for you when you over-do it.
Small changes. Big progress.
Next on the 3 a.m. Screenwriter... Sustainable Disciplines by Justin W. Hedges
Until then, Keep Writing!
Posted by Justin W Hedges at 2/15/2012 5:36 AM 
Categories: My Journey, Guest Posts by Laura Hedges, On Screenwriting
Tags: 3 a.m. Screenwriter 3 am Screenwriter screenwriting Laura Hedges
Categories: My Journey, Guest Posts by Laura Hedges, On Screenwriting
Tags: 3 a.m. Screenwriter 3 am Screenwriter screenwriting Laura Hedges
Totally agree. Get that ass to writing.
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HTSTWAGTG is my mistress now, AB.
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THIS mistress has my approval!
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I am a novice screen writer and enjoyed reading your twitter then subscribing and even more excited to learn your in Arizona. I am wolfeagle on Twitter and I just followed you.. Chris
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