I know many an author who get up before dawn to get in a few hours of writing before they ... [fill in things that have to be done, be it a job, deal with family, school etc] and their day begins. They will sacrifice their sleep to get the words down (I can't do that—I've tried and my brain doesn't function that early in the morning). With the advent of the mini's, alphsmarts and such, folks will sit in a corner, car or bench on their lunch break to get in writing time. No socializing with coworkers. As I have none, I don't honestly know if this is a big loss or not, but for some it probably is.

Personally, I have written in lieu of housework (okay, so maybe that's not such a big sacrifice on my part). There have been times where the rest of the family is in the other room, being together and I am in my office typing away. Once or twice I have skipped a family function when I was under the wire with something. This hasn't happened often though.

It can also be cost preventative. New computers are not as bad as they used to be, but you do have to plop down a chunk. Not to mention virus protection crap and all the other trappings that come with new equipment. I have given up buying this knickknack or that; I would sooner by software then casual wear. I will say having a family of six however, the writing goodies can be on the back burner at times. It's crazy how quickly boys go through shoes—it's like a new size every 3 or 4 months, if they haven't just flat out destroyed them before that.

If it's something we want to be doing, we gladly trade off. But sometimes I think dissension can creep in and rear an ugly head of, "Why are we having mac-n-cheese again rather than your 3-hour lasagna." Or "Why can't I keep dreaming of hunk-de-jour?"

As a writer, what have you had to give up? Are you happy about it or just resigned to the fact? What are you absolutely not willing to give up?

For me, I haven't reached that, "Oh, I couldn't..." Yet. It's hard to imagine what would it would take. Maybe not having written under contract it's a way easier give and take. I have the leisure of writing when I want to—or not writing. I am only kicking *myself* in the ass when I don't keep the work up. There are something I would find a way to make sure I have, though. The internet--a necessity (I still have dial-up service, just in case). Must have music somehow. And chocolate or coffee or or the other is an absolute must have! There would be a week of mac-n-cheese if it meant my coffee would be gone otherwise. The boys understand (or will when they grow up and need that caffeine jolt!).