Writer’s Shop Talk: When Best-Laid Plans Go Astray on Laundry Day

Late Morning, Tuesday, February 4, 2025, Miami, Florida

Yesterday was not a productive day for writing my novel. Despite my best intentions and heartfelt desire to write – or at least outline – the fourth scene of Reunion: Coda’s 24th chapter, I experienced a mind-numbing writer’s block.

One reason for my struggle was that it was Laundry Day for me. I’ve always found it difficult to juggle chores and creative writing. I can focus effectively on one task at a time, but when I try to manage two or three tasks simultaneously, my mind gets overwhelmed. Since writing—whether it’s crafting a blog post, a scene for a novel, or a screenplay—requires intense focus, it’s usually the writing that suffers when I attempt to multitask.

Yesterday afternoon, I did two loads of laundry. Of course, I didn’t stay in the laundry room during the wash and dry cycles; I did one load during my two-hour midday break in an attempt to avoid being blocked, and the second load during what was supposed to be the first hour of my afternoon writing shift – the least productive part of my day, if I’m honest.

I’m uncertain if it’s because I’m getting older, feeling stressed about two interstate moves in less than a year, or if the country’s political and economic decline is affecting me, but I find it increasingly difficult to finish my novel.

Still, I am determined to push on and finish Reunion: Coda (one chapter at a time), despite writer’s block and the interruptions of Laundry Day. Today is a new day, and since there are no time-consuming chores on my agenda, I am cautiously optimistic that this first Tuesday of February will be more productive, at least in terms of writing.

I do regret that yesterday was not as productive as I had hoped. Balancing chores with creative work proved to be challenging, but I must look forward and embrace the opportunities of today. With a clear schedule and a fresh mindset, perhaps I can finally break through the barriers that held me back yesterday and make meaningful progress on my novel.