Sure. People ask this a lot, some nicely, as you have, some rather rudely. Consider this an oblique apology for getting extremely irritated on Tuesday.
Three things are involved.
First, the maximum and minimum number of answers and blog posts per week is written into our contract, though it is left to our discretion when to do the answers. I prefer one a day with the odd bonus answer, GBFF prefers to do his in blocks, RP in pairs. just how we prefer to allocate our time. Our blog post is always due on the day before our individual newsletter goes out.
Second, we all have multiple other jobs too. One of the things they don't tell you about making a living creatively is that it is almost impossible.
CG, RP - both the old and the new ones - and WA are, as far as I know, the only ones of us who make their living purely by writing for multiple places, including TV, and they have many deadlines to prioritize.
GBFF I am not sure of, though he has mentioned office work in the past. FG is a talented and in demand musician too. Carrie acts and models - with all the travelling that requires - as well as writes for multiple outlets. Swaim, the old FG, heads up two comedy troupes, writes, directs and edits videos (and a movie!). Me, well, I may be a stay at home Dad, but I still work my job for roughly 8 hours a day, fitting in writing where I can between work and the kids. Housework comes a very distant third - once dust gets half an inch thick it never gets any thicker!
Finally, some of the questions do take a lot of time to answer properly, for me at least. To take yesterdays question, for example, that took, in total, about an hour and a half. I had to look up facts and figures in that case, write the answer out, let it sit for a while then edit it twice - once for accuracy and once for tone. This very question has so far taken me 45 minutes. The other guys are probably much faster and more organized.
Hope that helps some.
i'm always confused about why this issue bothers people so much, though i guess it is a testament to how much people love the site. i never see complaints (nice, rude, or ugly) about the topic on other sites i frequent. or maybe they just aren't made public. dunno. i think you guys are doing a great job and i dont know how you all do it all. i am blessed enough to be able to make a living writing and am a stay at home single working mother, just saying that makes me tired lol if housework reaches #3 on the list its a good day lol keep up the awesome work!!!
My wife was creeped out when she first saw me doing housework. She told me she was worried I might be gay or a effeminate. I assured her that in American, men and women share the housework, and now she's used to seeing me clean house.
Interestingly MM's approach to writing is similar to my own. It takes me a long time to write short amounts, while I let it sit, think on something else, then get back to it.
That's impressive that you're a stay at home dad on top of working! Kudos! I always enjoy reading your answers and you've provided some very helpful advice to others that applies to me.
Pure pragmatism. I can work from home, and my lady has too much invested in her career to take time out. (she earns more too)