10 Tips to Beat the Writing Time Blues
By Kathleen Coddington
Having trouble getting your current Work in Progress to the finish line? Don’t fret. You’re in good company. Almost all authors, including many prominent, multi-published ones, admit to finding it difficult to squeeze writing time into their busy schedules. Not surprising when you consider the fast paced world we inhabit. Each day there are dozens of people and events that vie for our attention, from our families, friends and homes to job demands, pets and television, not to mention all the social networks like Face Book, Twitter and My Space that authors must now incorporate into their already packed schedule. So what’s a busy (and no doubt exhausted) writer to do?
There is no easy answer to that question, but here are a few tried and true methods that I’ve gleaned from my and other author’s experiences. With luck, one or two of them will resonate with you.
Choose a writing time that is best for you. Are you an early riser, a night owl or a middle of the day producer? Everyone’s energy level and need for sleep differs. Experiment with writing at different times to see when you are most productive. Allow your body’s rhythms to direct you to the best time of day for you to write.
Find a comfortable, quiet spot to work and then remove all distractions and excuses to get up from your computer. Keep your writing supplies handy—pens, paper, post-it notes and a drink. Put on music if it helps to relax and focus you.
When questioned, effective writers say they don’t find time to write they make time. Writing is a job, so plan your writing schedule. Keep a calendar on you desk and block out your writing time. Then honor that time the same way you would your day job or a doctor’s appointment.
Set goals—1 page per day, 1000 words a day, 1 chapter a month. Make sure the goals you set are sensible and attainable. If you were to write 1 page a day (about a half an hour) for a year you’d end up with a 365 page book.
Marketing yourself and your books is important, but don’t let it consume you. E-mail, websites and social networks like Face Book, Twitter, and My Space are all important marketing strategies and tempting time wasters. Set aside 1 hour a day to deal with them and then log out and get back to your real business—finishing your book.
Use odd writing times to your advantage. Get up 1 hour earlier or stay up 1 hour later to finish a goal. Write in the stands at your child’s sporting event, taking time out to cheer occasionally. If you travel to work by train or bus, use the time to write. Write during your lunch break. Laptops and word processors like AlphaSmart make this easier than ever to do. A notepad and a pen will work as well.
Join a critique group. Having that weekly or monthly expectation to come with written pages for the other members to critique, will help to keep you motivated. Even if it’s only a few pages written the day before the meeting, all those pages eventually add up to a completed ms.
Set a timer. If you are a restless writer and find it hard to focus or sit still for more than a few minutes, set a timer, the oven timer will do, and stay in your seat until it goes off. You’ll be amazed to see what you can write in small blocks of time. Give yourself 15 minutes to change the wash to the dryer, fold the laundry or walk the dog, then re-set the timer and get back to work.
Just write. If you’re experiencing writer’s block or need to ease into writing, then sit down and start the process. Write anything—letters, e-mails, newsletter articles, lists of strong action verbs, all the colors you can think of, your blog, your grocery list if necessary. The mere action of writing will often wake up your muse if she’s been taking a writing siesta.
Be prepared for sacrifice. Writing is time consuming. If you’re already working, it’s a second job. Add your family and home responsibilities to the mix and it’s clear to see that something has to give. Mentally prepare yourself for this fact. Your garden will be full of weeds, there will be dust bunnies bigger than your pet under your bed, TV watching will diminish if not disappear altogether, meals will be given short shrift and your family and friends will sometimes feel neglected. And no you are not a bad person, mother, wife or friend—you’re an author. It goes with the territory.
Kathleen Coddington writes for Cerridwen Press. Two of her books, Witch Ball and Mistress of Deception are available in print. Her third book, Threads of Love, was released in digital form, April 30, 2009. She also teaches a novel writing course and has just launched a new blog.