How To Find the Time to Write

If writing is not your main profession and you have other responsibilities (and most of us do!), trying to make time to write is hard. Of the 500+ students I teach yearly, from most I hear the same thing – I just don’t have time to write! But do you have time to watch television, talk on the phone, surf the net? Could you give up one of these time-consuming activities to focus on your writing? Ultimately, it means that in order to become a published writer, you must make sacrifices – something no one wants to hear!

1. For anything worth having, sacrifices need to be made. What will you give up to make more time to write? Television? Friday night with the gang? Time with family?
2. Create a schedule. This can help motivate you to write! When do you have a free hour or two? Here are some ideas: 
   • When the kids go to bed.
   • First thing in the morning.
   • While you’re waiting for an appointment at the doctor’s office.
   • Give up that sitcom to write.
   • Keep a notebook by the bed to jot down ideas when you wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep!
   • Stuck in traffic.
3. Try “think writing”. Before you put your story or article on paper, think about it. Create your main character, conflict and plot in your head. Sort out scenes. Then write it down. You will be surprised at how quickly and thoroughly your story appears on paper. And you can “think write” anywhere – while washing the dishes, taking the dog for a walk, or taking out the trash!
4. You have made the sacrifice and set a writing time… now discipline yourself to write! Even if you don’t feel like it, sit down at the computer and just write. Often when you don’t feel creative at all, you can create some of your best work!
5. Make sure your allotted time to write is long enough to finish a writing task. Some people feel you need 2 hours to write, but for most people, this may not be realistic. I say, find whatever amount of time you can and write – even if it means writing a letter, writing in your journal, writing a paragraph or that well-crafted sentence. But try not to leave a particular idea unfinished. Often it is hard to go back and remember where you've left off or where you should start. If you start something, try to finish it or at least make notes for yourself so you don't lose any of those fantastic ideas! The most important thing here is to discipline yourself to write every day as much as you can. If you fail at this and don't do all you intended, be kind to yourself and let it go. Don't beat yourself up. There is always tomorrow.