When to Write

When Do You Find Time to Write?

That seems to be the question I am asked most often.

It's harder to answer that question today than it was a year ago! But I wanted to blog about it since so many friends of mine are writers looking for the answer...

I write when I run or when I ride my bike or when I hike...I write in the morning...I write in the evenings...I send myself scenes or scene ideas via email throughout the day...I write when reading a book in bed. Basically, I write all day!



So, when do YOU find time to write?

Photo credit artfulparent.com

Morning People

Perhaps it's easiest for you to rise early in the morning and sneak in a thousand words before work or before the kids get up. 

I am NOT a morning person, but since this summer is my writing time, I will definitely become a morning person and rise early to get in a couple thousand words before the day gets busy. 

For me, I started writing regularly (a book and a blog) when my son was 9yrs old. There was no way I could do it when he was little and I was working part time. It was best for me to wait until he was 9. I loved writing at night after he and his dad went to bed. The apartment we lived in was small, so it was quiet and cozy at night. I would put on my music and write way into the late hours. 

Photo credit guernseypoets.blogspot.com

Night Owls

Night Owls

Now that my son is older, I find it harder to write at night since the TV is on into the late hours, but I still force myself to get in a couple thousand words a night. It isn't easy.

How can a writer manage writing time with social time?

For me, I had to communicate with my family when I decided to seriously pursue a writing career in addition to my full time job as a teacher and a mom/wife. 

Blessedly, they understood!

But most importantly, God has understood and provided me the time to devote to planning and plotting a book as well as actually writing it. I admit, when I get home from work, I am beat and I usually have grading to do. So, by the time I turn on my lap top to write a chapter or two, my mind is mush. 

That's why this summer will be my writing time! I have a solid two months to devote to writing in the morning as well as in the evening after dinner. I am blessed to have this time to myself and an understanding family that supports my dreams. 

Photo credit: pedestrianwriter.blogspot.com

Make the Time

I highly recommend having that conversation with your family first. Let them know your plan, but also listen to their concerns. How often will you write each week? Will you be able to spend time with them? What about activities, ministries, events?

In other words...what they really want to know is: What about us?

So be sure to listen to their concerns and assure them that they will see you, you will spend time with them, and life will continue on. Set aside special time for family each week, for exercise (stress relief time) to take care of yourself, and a date night with your spouse.

No, you won't be able to excel at each of these. Something will have to give. So, you perfectionists will have to realize you can't be perfect at everything and that's OK. Let go and let the Lord take over. 

Just write what you can when you can and here are some tips I use:

• Plan ahead: organize your thoughts into a journal or outline of some sort. 

• Email: send yourself ideas you have for your story throughout the day. No, you won't remember them later on, so email yourself!

• Carry a small notebook with you at all times: jot down ideas as you're waiting in line or reading in bed or talking to someone about a book (your book). This really helps!

• Schedule writing times in your calendar: these reminder pop-ups on Outlook really help keep you set on a writing time when you get home. Plus, the reminders get me motivated!

I hope these tips help. Yes, it is difficult to make time to write each day, but it can be done. As I always tell my son: if it's important to you...if you are truly passionate about it...then you WILL make time for it. 

Your turn: How do you make time to write each week? Do you set word count goals for yourself?

Blessings,

Ruth