Finding Time to Write
For anyone dropping by this blog you might have noticed that it’s not updated quite as often as it should be. Maybe it’s because I’m going for quality not quantity (ha!), but no, the real reason is time, or that lack of it…I prioritise my time, have to, to keep all the balls in the air, and right now, getting my WIP finished is the priority, which set me thinking…
I know I’m not the only one trying to fit a full time writing job in with running a business and being a mum, so I do hope other writers reading this can add some tips, share how you mine your time effectively. The key thing about writing is that it is VERY difficult to motivate yourself to start, writers are THE worst procrastinators, but once you get going, it’s an addiction, and it’s very hard to stop.
Some people prefer pen and ink to writing on a computer - use whatever works for you.
Writing regularly is essential to imrove what you write and to allow the free flow of ideas, it makes you a better writer but it also makes you feel good – like a mental workout at the gym.
It doesn’t have to be everyday, but a couple of times a week is essential. For those of you struggling to fit writing in with life, here are some tips:
1. Have you ever watched a TV programme and wondered why you bothered? If you are starting to write and wondering how to fit it all in, there are 30mins (at least), that you can use. The minute you hear the theme tune, turn off the TV or go into another room and get started. If you have difficulty with motivation, limit yourself to that 30mins – but I bet you’ll write for longer!
2. Do you read newspapers or magazines, or surf the web? Do you spent hours on Twitter? Use this time – have a think about how long you spent reading magazines, and how many times a week. Don’t stop completely, but instead of sitting down with a cup of tea and the latest edition of Hello three times a week, why not try it twice a week and sit down with your laptop instead? Are there blogs you love reading? Sign up for an RSS feed and get the info delivered to your email in-box so you don’t get distracted wandering around the web. Give yourself 10 mins on Twitter and use the other 20 mins to write, save the interesting links to check later when it’s not your writing time, perhaps in the evening when you’re watching the news.
3. Think ahead. My life is about planning, working out where I will be and what I’ll be doing each day so I don’t waste time – if I’m taking the children to school I can have a meeting (near school), and still have a couple of hours free to write. I don’t waste time driving home – I go to Fitzpatrick’s Castle Hotel (free parking!), and write in their lobby, or I open up my laptop in the car. Every 15 mins is important. When my son was small, I’d pick him up from his minder, drive to Fitzpatrick’s Hotel carpark by which time he’d be asleep, and work while he had his nap. Plan your day to give yourself a writing slot.
4. Identify your creative time. There’s no question that different people write better at different times of the day. I know some writers who sit up all night writing, like Cecilia Ahern, who wrote PS I Love You while the rest of the house slept. I also know many writers who are most creative in the mornings (I know I am), so they get up an hour before their children to get in some uninterupted writing time. Best Selling author Sarah Webb gets her best ideas when she’s walking – she walks to keep fit, but she uses every minute to think about her plots and her characters, and takes a dictaphone with her so she can record her thoughts. Then she can get to her desk and put her thoughts straight on the page. Finding time to write takes dedication, but it is essential to think about when you write best and create the space to write at the right time of day – then the writing is much much easier.
5. Find a place to write. I’m lucky that, through necessity, I’ve learned to write anywhere, in cafe’s, airports, grabbing time where I can, but there’s nothing more luxurious that having a whole morning writing time stretching ahead of you. Make your writing space warm and comfortable. If you’re sitting at the kitchen table, make sure its clear of distracting clutter, make sure your chair is comfortable – writing on the sofa or in bed is ok for about 20 minutes but if you’re planning to write a whole book your back won’t last! If you you need music on to help you think, make sure its playing continuously so you don’t have to get up to change CD’s and interupt your flow, if you like quiet, make sure it is quiet! Marian Keyes lights a scented candle when she sits down to write, it helps to focus her mind and I’m sure is a signal to her subconcious that it’s time to get into gear.
There is no question that you may have to sacrifice something in order to write and you have to be a little bit selfish. I don’t read the papers or magazines, or spend much time watching TV, I have to speed read blogs. I work every evening for three or four hours answering emails and running my business, so I can spent my creative time in the mornings, writing. Is it a hardship? No – because I LOVE writing, it’s my relaxation time, my special time for me.
And remember – the most important thing about finding time to write is actually writing. As I mentioned before writers are the worst procrastinators. Clearing the table, tidying the office, going out to the shops to find the perfect candle to light, preparing to write, IS NOT WRITING! You’ve found time to read this but it’s short for a very good reason, because now we both have to go and write….
10 Responses to “Finding Time to Write”
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About Sam Blake
Sam Blake is Vanessa O'Loughlin's alter ego. When she isn't reading or writing crime fiction, Vanessa runs the Irish writing resources website www.writing.ie and brings best selling authors to Inkwell Writers Workshops to guide and inspire aspiring writers. Vanessa is PRO for Irish PEN. As Sam Blake, Vanessa gets to do what she enjoys most - write! Find out more about Sam Blake...
All very good points and I agree. Writing takes time, and attention, and re-writing even more so, so I think you have to keep your attention focused on what you want and need. If you want to write the best possible book that you can, you have to realise that and make the time to do that. If you don’t you’re in danger of becoming frustrated, and a frustrated person isn’t a happy person! Looking forward to you finishing your re-write, dying to read it!
Yes getting started is the issue. I have lots of time as the children are in school and I’m not very house proud but I waste a lot of it. I have a couple of simpler exercises that I use to get me started. Actually commenting on a blog post like this one is a good one to get you sitting in front of the PC and typing. If I am reading papers/mags I’m always on the look out for stories that can be developed into ideas and I cut them out, file and follow up. I also listen to the radio as I work and this is a source of ideas as well as entertainment.
I’m a glorified chauffeur for three boys with a myriad of out of school activities so I took the opportunities presented while they were at football/chess/TKD/swimming etc to get some writing in. Most of the classes take 45 mins to an hour so I generally got a fair bit of writing done while they sweated!
With so many activities in any week that’s up to 6 hours of bonus writing time. Of course you have to perfect the “yes, of course I was watching what you were doing” technique and learn how to write in the car but, from my point of view, it would have been time spent doing nothing other than reading so I put it to good use. In fact, the chap who ran the chess club gave me the use of his office during the class. Result!
Completely true. planing is essential and so is recognising that the networking/researching/reading time is NOT actually writing. Although it all helps and is all required, it’s an aside. You can research agents, how to write and possible target publications as much as you like, but without concrete, finished pieces, you’ll never get anywhere. Great advice. By the way – i take the same stance as you with my blog and update as and when. I was just thinking about whether i should be investing more time in it so thanks for making me feel better!
HAPPY NEW YEAR, Sam!!!
Excellent post, Funny, I’d just set myself the goal to organize my time better this year. I get into all sorts of trouble with family due to hovering for hours at the computer, thinking I’m writing, when I may be simply not be focusing on the task at hand, perhaps spending an unbalanced amount of time on e-mail or twitter and not reading helpful blogs such as yours.
Hi Sam! I have just nominated you for a Kreativ Bloggers Award, then I see you’ve already been nominated! Ah well, have it twice, you deserve it!
Hey Sam. i enjoyed your writing tips, very helpful. particularly the part about procrastination. i thought i was the only one. its encouraging to see that its a trait amongst us writers
you recommended an Inkwell online social media course with Beth Morrissey. Well i started it, and as a result i have my own blog and i’m on twitter.
happy days. you can have a look at niallmcf.blogspot.com
thanks for all your help.
All true, I wrote my first novel before internet and when my back was younger and stronger, and clocked up 8000 words a day. Am considering how to get back there next week as now have agent and deadline.
Just found you on Judith’s Room. Those are great tips. I am writing my first cosy mystery and am just trying to find time in my schedule.
Glad I found your site through Judith’s Room.
Today is only my 8th day in blogland, but I am so proud that for the first time in my life I have written 8 days straight. On my second day of posting I was already facing the issue of when am i going to have time to blog and then I decided to just sit down and write about it. http://newdaynewlesson.wordpress.com/2010/02/12/perfectionism-hampers-progress/
I have to say that I have found that even in just this past week since I started writing, I have found that the words are coming to me easier and the writing is easier. Practice does make perfect (or at least better LOL)
Thanks for a good post.
I am not one of those people who were born to write or have an amazing talent at it. I am just someone who wants to get what I have to share out to the world in the hopes others will enjoy what I say and be helped by it.