Making Time to Write

 

Time! We are given 24 hours in a day, and it's ours to do what we will with it. Even if we sleep 8 hours, that leaves us a full 16 hours for activities. Work, play, frittering it away at times. 

Professional writers often set a number of hours per day to devote to their craft. Hobbyist writers and those aiming to be on the bestseller list someday approach time to write in different ways.

Some are rigid in setting a certain number of hours per week that they devote to writing, while others fit in time to write wherever and whenever they can. Some do it when the mood strikes. Those moods don't always strike at convenient times, however. 

Some set aside a prescribed amount of time per day to write. Maybe it's two hours, or one hour, or even half an hour. Sounds reasonable, doesn't it?

Consider the activities that fill your day. Some writers work at other full-time jobs, are raising young children, are active in community activities, responsible for cleaning, cooking, and grocery shopping, social activities and more. That doesn't leave a great deal of time to write, and when a writer does devote an hour or so to writing, they might be so tired that it's not a productive effort.

I've heard writers say that they want to devote more time to writing, but they cannot seem to do it. One way is to take a good look at your life and see what things you can cut back on to give yourself some writing time. You might have to say no to a social event. In that case, you'll need to weigh which is more important to you. 

There are also some who use 'no time' as an excuse because they have a fear of not being able to produce as they would like to. It happens. It's human. 

If you're truly passionate about finding time to write, go to bed an hour later or get up an hour earlier. I'd vote for the latter, as you'll be more refreshed than at the end of a long day. 

You can even find snippets of time to write if you keep a small notebook and pen with you. Waiting in a doctor's office feels like wasted time, so why not use it to jot down story ideas, or the first lines of a poem? Those who take a commuter train or bus to work could make use of that time, as well. 

It all comes down to the determination you have, how passionate you are about wanting to write. If you truly do want to write, you can make time to pursue that drive you have. If you have hours to spend writing, that's wonderful, but even if you find bits and pieces of time, you'll benefit in the end. 

Time Management for Writers

I haven't written a post on goals this year, nor one on cleaning your writing workspace. Today, I'll give you a few thoughts on one goal we should all strive to achieve. Time Management. 

Some writers are full-time professionals who write for a living. Most are pretty good at setting work-writing hours, as it's a necessity.                 

Many others are part-time writers or hobbyist writers. It seems more difficult for them to set times to write. Some are moms still raising their children. I don't need to list all the tasks they must do on a daily basis, or the interruptions they deal with. If you've been there, you understand. Others have full-time jobs and must fit writing time around that big responsibility. 

Sometimes, writers think about writing more than they actually sit down and pump out the words. The ideal situation might be the retired person who suddenly has lots of time to write. Or do they? Most retired people I know end up with a full schedule between exercise classes, daily runs or walk, an increased social life, medical appointment and more. Suddenly, they realize there is not as much time for writing as they'd hoped. 

One key to finding time to write is to make it a priority, rather than squeeze it in around all the other things in your life. If writing is important to you, don't look for the time to pursue this love of yours, create time to write, make it a habit. To do that, you'll need to decide just how important writing is to you.   

One way to find a time when you're not pressured is to get up an hour earlier or go to bed an hour later. That would give you some quiet time. Yes, it would also cut your sleeping time, but an hour might not be really detrimental. 

Set aside a certain time of the day that is to be your writing time, a time when you are not otherwise always occupied with something important. 

Take a notebook with you on your daily commute. Sitting on a bus or train is empty time. Why not use it to write? Do a writing exercise or observe those around you and describe them. Or start a piece and continue working on it with every commuter time. 

One hard truth we might all need to own up to is that we waste a whole lot of time in our day. You do it. I do it. We all do it. Not purposely, but we might be filling the dishwasher and hear something on tv that interests us, so we go sit down and watch. Who knows for how long? This is only one example. No doubt, you can think of others. 

If you are a determined writer, you'll make time to pursue your writing. Rather than grab snatches of time here and there, try to create a set time. You might need to give up something to be able to find that time, but again, if you are passionate about writing, you can do it. 

 

Making Time to Write

 

Many writers don't write full-time as their means of support. A good number write part-time, some to supplement income, some for the sheer pleasure, some to fulfill a desire to write. These writers are often battling time problems. "I want to write, but I can't find the time." 

As our photo poster for today tells us, 'It's not about having time. It's about making time.' How do you do that? It takes some discipline and dedication. How important is writing in your life? That's one of the first things to determine. 

If you truly do want to have time to write, you might have to give up some other things in your life. Maybe those coffee dates with friends might have to be reduced to once a month instread of twice a week. Or you might need to say no when a friend asks you go to a movie. Instead of an all-day shopping trip, you could cut it to a couple of hours. You'll have to decide how important your social life is in comparison to your writing life. I don't advise cutting all social ties. Those times are important, but reducing the number and time spent is doable.

What about those who are busy rasing children? Anyone who has done so knows how much time is involved. You don't want to shoo them away so you can write, nor do you want to scold them for disturbing your writing time. A lot depends on their ages. If little ones take naps, make that hour writing time. If they're in school all day, carve out a certain part of the day to write. 

Stay up an hour later than usual or rise an hour earlier. Either time is usually when your house is quiet, and you won't have interruptions. My choice would be the early morning before others in the family get up. You're probably fresher and your brain clicking better than after a long day and you're ready for sleep. 

If you're a dad who works full-time and also has kids to spend time with, you'll have to be pretty creative. Some moms work full-time, as well, so writing time might not happen every day. In fact, making time to write could be a real chore. If you commute on public transportation, bring a small notebook with you, and make use of that time to write. Waiting in a dr's office is down time, too. 

You can find small amounts of time through your day, whether you're at home or working. The time to write may not be in great amounts, but if you truly have the desire to write, you'll make time here and there. 

Retired people are fortunate as their time is not taken up by all the duties of younger people. Even if retirees lead a busy social life, they can still find blocks of time to write. Some retired people are happy to spend their days at home, so they have no problem blocking out a period of writing time. 

It doesn't matter what your situation is. It's up to you to make the time to write, if that is truly what you want to do. Stop and think how many minutes a day we waste on silly things. Wouldn't you rather be writing? 

Writers--You Are The Master of Your Time

I was trying to decide what to write in today's post when an ambulance arrived next door to us. They came to transport the man who lives there to a hospital. He has a condition that only gets worse and harder for his wife to care for him. Soon, he will need to go to Healthcare. My heart ached for both of them and it made me consider how quickly our lives can change and how all the things we had planned to do are suddenly no longer a possibility.

That is also the case in our writing life. We plan to do this project or that one but time slips through our fingers on a daily basis. We want to write our family stories so they will be preserved for our children and future generations but the desire never seems to come to fruition. There just never seems to be enough time.

We see a Call for Submissions and think of a story in our files that we could revise and polish and send in. Then Life steps in and the momentary thought slip-slides away like melting snow.

How many times have you read about a Writing Contest that sounded like something you could submit to? How many times did you only think about it? There just isn't enough time! you said.

If you're a professional writer, you must make a certain amount of time for your writing but those of us who write part-time aren't restricted. We use what extra time we have for our writing. Sometimes, even that bit evaporates before we can reach out and grab it.

Watching our friend deteriorate with the disease he has makes me aware that life can change so quickly and all those things we'd planned to do will never be achieved. It's not only age that threatens but illness and accidents, job loss, financial disasters and problems within our extended families.

This post appears to be a real downer, all negatives. If you read my blog regularly, you'll know that I am a person who tries to accentuate the positive whenever the opportunity arises. The positive I leave with you today is that you are the master of your own time. Consider the moments of your day that you do inane things that qualify as wasted time. You're not alone. We all do it. You can create time to write by rearranging your day. Get up earlier, go to bed an hour later, give up something social. There are ways to gift yourself with blocks of time to write.

Stop putting all those writing things you planned to do aside. Life is shorter than we think. Grab hold of it now and make the most of it. Write that poem that's been swirling in your mind. Get to work on those family stories. Continue to work on your memoir or short story or the book you're writing--or hope to write someday. Don't wait until you say I wish I had... 

No Time or Making Time For Writing

Time looms over us as the great enemy. How often have you said If I had more time, I would.... and then lamented whatever it was you thought you couldn't get done? 

Yesterday, I was in the library when I overheard one woman say to another "I'd read more but I don't have time." I stopped reading the book in my hands and looked up at the speaker. She was in her mid-eighties. I wondered what kept her so busy that she didn't have time to read. I watched her turn around and leave without a book in her hand.

Many writers claim they don't have time to write. Too many other things are calling them, especially those who don't write as a full time occupation. I don't dispute the claim at all. Writers all have other things in their lives--spouses, children, homes to care for, jobs or part time jobs, social activities, exercise, grocery shopping and more. You have many on that list and so do I. 

If you truly want to write, you will make time. Two small words--make time--but important if you have a real desire to write and be published. 

Consider how many minutes a day you actually waste. The TV or radio distracts you. You spend far longer on the phone with friends than is necessary. We are all guilty of wasting parts of our day. 

So, how do you make time to write? There are different solutions for all of us. What works for a retired person doesn't for a young mother. We each have to figure out what is possible for us. Take a look at the list below and see what suits you best:

• Get up an hour earlier than usual
• Stay up an hour later (You can get a lot done in an hour)
• Make baby's nap time your writing time
• Keep a notebook with you to write on your lunch hour
• Say NO to an overabundance of volunteer activities
• Turn down a social invitation now and then 
• Ask your spouse to take over the kids for an hour
• Take a notebook with you to the laundromat
• Have a notebook with you when waiting in airports, medical offices etc
• Watch less television
• Use half of your usual reading time to write

Anyone have other suggestions on how to create writing time? Send us your comments. If time is our enemy, we must learn how to fight and conquer.

Time--The Enemy of So Many

Most of us moan and groan, whine and wail, about not having time to do what we'd like to do. Grousing about it is the easy part. We have that down pat. Doing something about it is quite another thing.

We've all read articles about ways to give yourself more time. We read them, then go right back to moaning etc. If you really want to have more time for your favorite pastime, in my case, that is writing, then you need to create time. It's not going to work unless your desire to pursue your writing--or anything else you want to do--is greater than your need to give yourself an excuse.

Harsh? Perhaps, or maybe it is just facing reality. I wanted to write for the majority of my life but I didn't do it. I convinced myself I was too busy and that other things in my life needed to take precedence. I must have done a good job as I didn't begin writing until well into my mid-fifties.

Finally, something lacking in my life triggered my writing journey. I stepped onto that path and have stayed on it ever since. I lead a busy life but I do make time to pursue my passion for writing. It's different for those who make a living writing. They have definite job hours but for hobbyist writers like me, we have to make the time or take the time.

I'm a social person who belongs to many women's groups--bridge clubs, a woman's group that promotes education for women, church groups, book club among them. As much as I love them and the people I mingle with in each group, they take away from my writing time. I still benefit from this social part of my life; I even find inspiration for writing from speakers I hear, conversations across the bridge table and more.

Instead of cutting back on all those social events, I cut out other things. I watch very little tv. I do have certain shows that I look forward to each week and football and basketball games, when the teams playing are ones I follow. I spend many evenings, or parts of them, at the computer.

Because of some physical limitations, I don't exercise much which gives me that chunk of time.

I am an early riser which gives me a little more time than Sleepy Susie who doesn't get up until I am midway into my morning.

If I am deep into a writing project, I might give up a social event now and then. I have to weigh the decision carefully, looking to see which one pulls me more.

I'm often writing mentally when I'm cooking or doing housework or grocery shopping. I am sometimes jotting story ideas on a notepad while waiting in the dentist's office or the beauty salon (my hairdresser is rarely on time!) When I'm unloading the dishwasher, I might be working out a better ending for an essay. Multitasking works for writers. Even those writers who are staring out a window might be working like mad in their mind.

Mothers who carpool have time to jot down writing notes while they wait for their kids to get out of school. Same with those who must get kids to a game early and then sit on the bleachers and wait for the game to actually begin. There are many bits and pieces of time that a writer can use to advantage.

The one hint often given in an article on creating time is to get up an hour early or go to bed an hour later. Sounds good to have a whole hour, doesn't it? But that doesn't work for all people. Those who are not morning people don't function very well if they get up sooner than they are ready. And night owls who had yet another hour could be pretty grouchy when the alarm clock goes off at 6 or 7 a.m.

Read those articles about making time but adapt them to your own lifestyle. You know you better than anyone else. If your writer friend cuts out all social events, that doesn't mean you should do it, too. Consider small ways to gain more time in your writing life. Try them. Continue with what works and dump the others. In this respect, as in most all others, we are individuals. Do what works for you.

Time Is One Thing You Can Steal

This morning, I looked at my May calendar that is next to my phone in the kitchen. How in the world did we get to nearly the end of this month already? I had great thoughts way back in the early days of May about stories I wanted to write. Some others that needed revising and still others that I needed to polish up for the Kansas Authors Annual Contest which has a mid-June deadline.

My intentions were excellent but the social activities of this month nearly overwhelmed me. So many organizations hold end-of-year lunches or dinners before summer begins. Then factor in Mother's Day and graduations and birthdays of several people along with the normal routine things, and I found myself with nowehre near the writing time I'd hoped for. 

This past week, we traveled to Illinois to spend a few days with Ken's two brothers. It was a wonderful mini-reunion of the three brothers and their wives, but it sure cut into my writing time. You've read right here more than once about how I advised writers to make time to write. I do believe that, but sometimes life takes over and there is no way to make that time, or at least, no way to make as much time as you'd like. 

So, what am I going to do in this last busy week of May? I'm going to meet my obligations that are sprinkled throughtout the days marked on the calendar. But I'm also going to create a little "me" time so I can work on some of those projects. They may not be large blocks of time, but even 20 minutes or half an hour will help me make some progress. It might mean that I get up earlier and go to bed later than usual this week. I'll survive even if I'm caught yawning now and then. It will most likely be that I don't make meals that require a lot of time to prepare. If a friend calls and invites me over for coffee, I'm going to tell her I'd love to do it next week, that I cannot spare the time this week. 

Even when you feel swamped, you can still make a little time for the projects in your writing world. You only have to be rather creative. Wouldn't that be a good article for a woman's magazine? For the title---Make Time For The Things You Want To Do. Or Stealing Time For Yourself. 

Deadlines and Achievement

Years ago, I told my five-year-old son he could not go to kindergarten until he learned to tie his shoes. "The teacher is too busy to do it for every boy and girl," I added for emphasis. For weeks, he struggled, gave up, and tried again and again. The day before school started, he achieved his goal. What happiness radiated from that little face when he demonstrated his new ability to me.

This little episode illustrates two universal truths. We push ourselves harder when there is a deadline and achievement is all the sweeter when we can share our success with others.

In our writers world, don't we tend to work better when there is a specified deadline? Of course we do. We think and think about writing a story or article but life tends to get in our way. We make vague promises to ourselves thinking things like Tomorrow, I'll get to it. Tomorrow arrives, the phone rings and we're off to another meeting, pick up a sick child (or grandchild) at school or....
But if a story must be sent to an editor by Thursday, we'll create time and get the job done.

That deadline looms over us, so we move it to the top of our To-Do list. The machine can answer the phone. Pizza places deliver night and day, so the family will be fed. Few of us like to dust or vacuum anyway, so that's not a problem. The library committee meeting can go on without us this time and a niece will appreciate a check for her birthday as much as a gift. We need to block out everything but the writing project. We don't want to face failure or the humiliation of telling the editor the piece is not ready.

Achievement is accomplished by setting priorities and being firm in keeping them. Get your ducks in a row might be a good illustration. If we're wishy-washy, our goals float farther and farther away.

When we receive good news from an editor, we've achieved a goal. We'd love to share the good news with someone--usually someone who means something to us. Like my son, we radiate joy when sharing news of an acceptance from a publisher. Satisfaction settles over us like a warm comforter. That, however, is not the end. Success only inspires us to continue writing and submitting. If you receive eleven rejections and one acceptance, which one do you think you'll remember longest?

That small son of mine is now a successful businessman. He learned all about achievement before he went to kindergarten Here's hoping you did, too. If not, it's never too late to learn.

Making Time

How often have you said "I don't have time to _______." Fill in the blank for yourself. Anyone who writes is going to use write the blank. This month, those of us preparing for Christmas could put that in capital letters. The  shopping, wrapping, decorating, baking, partying, cards all demand our attention during December.

Besides that, the laundry still calls to us, meals need to be cooked, groceries bought, tables dusted occasionally, All the routine things need to be fitted in around the holiday chores and pleasures. So where does that leave our writing?

Sounds like it may be pretty much put out in the closest snowbank and left there.Time is precious, more so this month. But it's the old story. You can make  time to write. Somehow, we always seem to find, or make, time for the things we like to do. Don't shake your head. You know it's true. It's quite easy to use time as an excuse for the things we don't enjoy doing.

Maybe you need to ask yourself how much you enjoy writing. If it's a real chore, it will be easy to claim the 'no time' excuse. But, if you love to write, you'll find those extra minutes in the day. Nothing says you have to be at your computer to write. You can write in your head while you fold laundry or fill the dishwasher. Of course, you'll want to write down keywords or phrases so you don't lose those little gems. You can get up a little bit earlier than usual and write, or you can stay up a tad later and write. You can write with a pad and pen while waiting in the dentist's office.

You can find time to write if you truly want to and if you're a little bit creative. If it isn't going to happen this month, make it happen in January for sure.

Do You Have Time To Write?

In a perfect world, a writer would have many hours every day to pound the keyboard and produce story after story. Maybe those  full-time, paid writers who work for newspapers or high-end magazines do that, but those of us who are part-time freelancers don't often have that option.

We constantly find detours in the road as Life keeps putting obstacles in the way. Mundane household tasks need to be done, like it or not. Social obligations must be fulfilled--if you're a social person like I am. Unexpected circumstances arrive in the form of a surprise guest, or a sudden illness or death in your family or network of close friends. All of these things diminish our writing time.

Human beings are also experts in wasting time. Don't shake your head--we all do it. A little bit of it is fine, but when it happens more and more often, it's time to take a good look at how you operate.

So, how do you 'make' time to write? Some writers set a specific time frame in each day as writing time. Maybe 7 to 10 every morning. Or 9 to 11 every night. If it works for you, go for it. I can't seem to operate that way. I've found that some days I have very little time to write, but I try to do at least a few minutes worth. When my day is relatively free of other obligations, I hit it hard. I've learned that if I want writing time, I have to give up something else. For me, that's been evening TV. I rarely ever watch it anymore. I've also had to cut my reading time, and I miss that far more than TV. I readily admit that my housekeeping is not as good as it once was. I get it done, but it might not be as thorough. Since neither of us has contacted a dread disease because of it, I don't worry about it.

Making time to write has no set rules. Every writer has to make her own conditions and do what works best for her. If getting up an hour before everyone else in the house works for you, go for it. As for me--I treasure that extra hour in bed in the early morning. Step back and take a good look at your life. You can find some writing time if the desire to write is strong enough.