Thoughts On Taking Time To Write

This poster could absolve all guilt about time taken away from other things in life so you can write. If you're a hobbyist writer or a part time writer, one who doesn't depend on writing for a full-time income, you probably do feel some guilt about stealing time to do something you love--writing. 

I like Gloria Steinem's philosophic quote. I imagine she is like many writers who shut out all the everyday parts of life when they write, as though a giant bubble surrounds them. They hear nothing nor see anything outside that protective, comfortable bubble. Not every writer can do this, however.

Think about the many times in your day that you waste time on silly little things. Something on tv catches your eye and you stop to listen. The minute or two could stretch into half an hour. You are putting laundry away when you suddenly decide to rearrange your closet. You open your junk drawer and rummage about searching for something you know is in there. Time to clean out the drawer when you cannot find it. When we're doing these little bits and pieces in life, we could be writing.

I know what you're thinking--I can't write every minute of the day. Of course, you can't but, when you do sit down to write, don't feel one bit guilty. All those other tasks are not going to go away. When you finish that first draft of a new essay, you can take up the household chores again. Believe me, they will wait for you. 

If you want to be successful in the publishing world, put writing high on your priority list. I know too many people who truly want to write but they let day after day slip by without writing a word. Other parts of their life take priority. It's why I urge writers to write something every day, even if it is nothing more than one paragraph or a 10 minute word exercise. Each day you don't write is one more day of delay. The longer you delay, the harder it is to get back in the swing of writing. 

Make writing an integral part of your day. There could be days when you spend hours tapping that keyboard and other that find you putting thoughts in print for only moments. However long, do it. Those who journal on a daily basis develop good writing habits. Most of all, feel no guilt about taking time to follow your passion.