Making Time to Write

One of the most difficult things as an aspiring writer is finding the time to write. We all have commitments that demand our time and attention. The two biggest are our families and work. You also have the day to day minutiae that rob us of our time: housework, cooking, gardening, appointments, the list goes on and on.

In this day and age, while not all have kids underfoot, most are working outside the home. We tend to think that once we get published and the money starts rolling in, we will have all day to write. But you need to discipline yourself now and get into the habit of writing as a routine. But how do you eke out a block of time in your crazy, hectic schedule?

• First give up the idea that you need an eight hour block. For the longest time, I was under the delusion that I needed an eight hour block (a work shift) to accomplish anything writing wise. I have now wised up and realized that a) it would physically be impossible for me to sit in front of a computer for eight hours and b) it isn’t necessary.
• Pick a time frame that best suits you and write for the same amount of time at the same time everyday. Before long you will have established a routine and writing will become a habit.
• Be flexible. Opt more for the amount of time rather than the time frame itself. My goal is to write for two hours every day. But I move that two hour block around depending on my work commitments and where we are in the school year. I know this is contradicting the previous point, but stick with me for a moment. During the school year, I get up at six in the morning and write until eight when my boys get up and then I have to stop and get them ready for school. Now I am not a morning person at all but this worked for me– it gave me a sense of satisfaction to know that before the day had started, I had my writing done. In the summer, when things are a little more relaxed, I write in the afternoon when I get home from work. At first I did not know how this would go with my boys who are eight and six and I wondered if they would be too much of a distraction but I am happy to report that this has been anything but the case. I had tried writing in the afternoon while they were in school but I found the two separate school pick ups at two and three too disruptive, hence the six am wake up call.
• Be true to yourself and make the commitment to your time frame. Remember this is your dream. The time allotment is for writing and nothing else. Ignore the phone. Do not make any appointments during this time.
• Sacrifice. In really tight schedules, something will have to give: your favorite TV shows, your weekly lunch with friends, the hour spent surfing the net, etc.
• Be forgiving. There are going to be days when you are unable to sit down and write at all. It is called “life” and it happens. Go for the 80/20 rule. I picked this up in one of the many diet books I have read. If you can do it 80% of the time, you will eventually get there.
• If all you can spare is one hour, then so be it. One hour a day consistently will result in a slow and steady progress. After all, Rome was not built in a day.

You need to ask yourself how important is writing to you and what are you willing to do to make it happen. Then do it.