Finding Time To Write

Ok so this post doesn't break any new ground but I wanted to address a very common problem for writers, including myself, and that is finding time to write.

My dream would be to have all day, every day to just write. Maybe go for a walk after lunch to get some inspiration for more writing. But the reality doesn't match the fantasy. In the real world we have day jobs and/or many other responsibilities and commitments. And for some of us, like me, when you add kids to the mix you're available time for writing dwindles so much it's almost non-existent. But we tend to make time for the things that are important to us. And as a writer, writing is very important.

So how do we make the time? The best way I’ve found is to make a scheduled time to write and stick to it as much as possible. If you have a very full calendar everyday, look for ways to win back time by reducing or eliminating non-essential tasks. There may be some things that are wants and not necessarily needs. For example, if you have a habit of watching T.V. at night or going out with friends, then trading those activities for writing time at least a couple of nights each week would be a great way to gain more time to write.

But if you don't have anything on your to-do list that can be eliminated, another trick you can use is writing in short bursts. Ideally we all want to have a few hours each day of uninterrupted writing time but when this isn't an option even writing a sentence here or there can help to get some words on paper. I keep a pen and a notebook handy for those times when I have even just 5 or ten minutes to get some words out. This way I don't lose time getting my laptop out and waiting for it to boot up.

So our takeaway is that finding time to write is seldom easy but if we are vigilant we can find holes in our schedule that we can fill with writing. Remember that getting some words out is better than none at all. Writing is a journey and we should all enjoy it. Take care!