The Flight of Time by Alicia Dean

(This is the article I wrote for this month's Novel Notes Newsletter (an author newsletter that Leah, Diane, myself, and my critique partners put out together)...I hope it's okay that I cut corners :))

It cannot be April, 2016 already, can it? Where has the first quarter of this year gone? Where have the last 10 years gone? The last 30?  I know it’s an expression, that time flies by quickly, but it really, really does. Is it just because I’m getting older or is it the insanely busy world we live in today? Or…what? I don’t know, but I’m truly amazed at the way time literally speeds by. It seems as though my children were babies only moments ago, and now they are 32, 30, and 23...impossible!

As it turns out, studies have been done on this very topic (surprised? I didn’t think so, what topic HASN’T been studied?)

Some of the theories on why time zips by so quickly as we are are...

1. We gauge time by memorable events.

In 1890, psychologist William James hypothesized that humans measure time by memorable events. Since so many exciting and new experiences take place when we’re younger (first kiss, driver’s license, prom, graduation, etc), the events seem to have happened over a much longer time span.

2. The amount of time passed relative to one’s age varies.

For a 5-year-old, one year is 20% of their entire life. For a 50-year-old, however, one year is only 2% of their life. This “ratio theory,” proposed by Janet in 1877, suggests that we are constantly comparing time intervals with the total amount of time we’ve already lived.

3. Our biological clock slows as we age.

With aging may come the slowing of some sort of internal pacemaker. Relative to the unstoppable clocks and calendars, external time suddenly appears to pass more quickly.

4. As we age, we pay less attention to time.

When you’re a kid on December 1, you’re faithfully counting down the days until Santa brings your favorite Hot Wheels down the chimney. When you’re an adult on December 1, you’re a little more focused on work, bills, family life, scheduling, deadlines, travel plans, Christmas shopping, and all of that other boring adult stuff. The more attention one focuses on tasks such as these, the less one will notice the passage of time.

5. Stress, stress, and more stress.

The feeling that there is not enough time to get things done may be reinterpreted as the feeling that time is passing too quickly. Even older individuals (who are, more often than not, retired from work) may continue to feel similarly due to physical handicaps or diminished cognitive ability.

SO...when you wake up tomorrow, and it’s already Christmas, just know that it happened so quickly due to your advanced age. Feel better? :) 

Since our time IS so limited, I have been sharing weekly 'Two-Minute' tips on my blog for a while now. I decided to publish these tips in a book, and it was just released last Friday. It's 99 cents for a limited time...

In today’s busy world—and writers are far busier than the average human being—there is little time for lengthy, detailed, intensive writing courses and writing manuals. 

Knowing how rare and fleeting a writer’s time is, Alicia Dean posts a weekly ‘Tuesday Two-Minute’ writing tip on her blog where she shares her knowledge, experience, and wisdom in tiny, bite-sized pieces so as not to squander more than 120-second increments of a writer’s precious time. 

Now, you can get those tips all in one convenient place. In simple, quick and easily digestible servings, this book shares loads of advice for writers. Tips such as… 

• Recognizing and eliminating filter words that distance your reader 

• Understanding Point of View – How to fix it and why 

• Writing Faster Drafts 

• Clearer, concise writing 

• Tips for more effective Tweeting 

No matter your level, from novice to experienced author, you will find something beneficial in Alicia’s handy, quick reminders. 

Purchase from

AMAZON

Barnes and Noble