I can’t be bothered to write a novel

I set myself a challenge: 2500 words a night, once the kids were in bed, to finish my novel by September. But after a week, I gave up. Here’s why…

During the first seven months of this year, when I was living with my parents in London, I was putting my three kids to bed myself every night. They have various needs that means it sometimes takes three or more hours.

So, I was excited to be able to share this parenting duty with my husband, come the summer holidays.

We get to Somerset, where we’ll spend most of the summer and now, I can kick back and watch TV while he settles all three children on his own. Or we can do it together. Or I can go out in the evenings and see friends. There are so many possibilities.

But what I decide to settle on is: quitting alcohol and writing 2500 words every single night, once the kids are in bed. I’ve done this before - with a toddler and a baby - and so now, it should be easier. I’m no longer woken in the night; I’m not sleep-deprived.