Making Time to Write
DON’T LET CIRCUMSTANCES KEEP YOU FROM WRITING
Everybody’s circumstances are different. When I had a lot of young children I would write when my children were at sports practice. I’d sit up in the bleachers and I’d write. When they’d watch television in the evening I would write. That was very disjointed, but I made it work because I wanted to write.
Some of my friends would get up at 3 or 4 in the morning to write before their kids got up. I couldn’t do that, but they could. Everyone has to choose when you have time to write.
Think about Jean-Dominque Bauby who in 1995 had a stroke and became paralyzed. He could only blink in order to communicate. He used that system of blinking to write about his life which became a book called The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. That book has been turned into a movie. We overcome what stops us when our goal becomes our passion.
If you think about it, if you write just one page a day, one page, at the end of a year you have a story written
.
CREATING HABITS
If you can write even 15 or 20 minutes and try to make it the same time of day pretty soon your mind becomes accustomed to thinking of stories at that time of day. The stories come to you faster and faster and more readily because you have created a habit and disciplined your mind to think just like anything you practice all the time. If you do that the same time of day your mind starts to expect to have to come up with those stories. It’s like muscle memory, but this is your creative muscle.
EXCUSES
Anyone can make excuses. The truth is, if you want to do it, you’ll find a way to do it. That’s the way with anything in life. Do it, or don’t do it. You can say to me, “I spent a year putting my office together.” And I’d say to you, “Why didn’t you spend a year writing?” There are always excuses not to do something. I have taught myself to write pretty much anywhere when I need to and I write 5 books a year.
SOME ARTICLES/BLOGS TO CONSIDER
Fantasy Author’s Handbook Blog- Save the Bullshit Excuses-
The Weeklings Blog- Calling Bullshit On A Writer’s Top 10 Excuses For Not Writing
Everybody’s circumstances are different. When I had a lot of young children I would write when my children were at sports practice. I’d sit up in the bleachers and I’d write. When they’d watch television in the evening I would write. That was very disjointed, but I made it work because I wanted to write.
Some of my friends would get up at 3 or 4 in the morning to write before their kids got up. I couldn’t do that, but they could. Everyone has to choose when you have time to write.
Think about Jean-Dominque Bauby who in 1995 had a stroke and became paralyzed. He could only blink in order to communicate. He used that system of blinking to write about his life which became a book called The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. That book has been turned into a movie. We overcome what stops us when our goal becomes our passion.
If you think about it, if you write just one page a day, one page, at the end of a year you have a story written
.
CREATING HABITS
If you can write even 15 or 20 minutes and try to make it the same time of day pretty soon your mind becomes accustomed to thinking of stories at that time of day. The stories come to you faster and faster and more readily because you have created a habit and disciplined your mind to think just like anything you practice all the time. If you do that the same time of day your mind starts to expect to have to come up with those stories. It’s like muscle memory, but this is your creative muscle.
EXCUSES
Anyone can make excuses. The truth is, if you want to do it, you’ll find a way to do it. That’s the way with anything in life. Do it, or don’t do it. You can say to me, “I spent a year putting my office together.” And I’d say to you, “Why didn’t you spend a year writing?” There are always excuses not to do something. I have taught myself to write pretty much anywhere when I need to and I write 5 books a year.
SOME ARTICLES/BLOGS TO CONSIDER
Fantasy Author’s Handbook Blog- Save the Bullshit Excuses-
The Weeklings Blog- Calling Bullshit On A Writer’s Top 10 Excuses For Not Writing
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message 1:
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Tina
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Apr 26, 2018 01:10PM
I used to wish I could be an author but I've decided I don't have enough imagination for all the details. However I love all your books and wanted to read your blog anyway. These are some great tips that I'm going to try applying to my everyday like excuses for my "procrastination problem". Lol Thanks for all you do, especially for all your fans!
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Tina wrote: "I used to wish I could be an author but I've decided I don't have enough imagination for all the details. However I love all your books and wanted to read your blog anyway. These are some great tip..."Thank you, Tina.
I've written something, even it was just bits of poetry, since around 6th grade, possibly earlier. But to put together what I have of my manuscripts so far, it's had to be much more focused. They not only involve the PROCESS of writing, as you so succinctly put it Christine, but the RESEARCH phase as well. There are always characters that throw new wrinkles. So I have to take the time to understand them and that's time AWAY from writing. So I write AT NIGHT. I'm a night owl, oftentimes not making it to bed until 3 or 4 in the AM. Then back up at around 7 AM. Purpose driven writing has to be that, purposeful.
Taking care of my 87 years old Mom, has kept me from writing, lately, but I still have ideas I still dream about.
Thank you for these tips, they’re helpful and inspirational. I mostly write at night once I’m home from work and my son is in bed. It is very tempting to make excuses and say that you don’t have time, but that’s like admitting that you you’ll just never reach the next level, and giving up. I self published my first novel recently and I am making time here and there to try and get the word out, which is painstaking but essential, while I work on the next one. Thanks for keeping everyone motivated.
Katherine wrote: "I've written something, even it was just bits of poetry, since around 6th grade, possibly earlier. But to put together what I have of my manuscripts so far, it's had to be much more focused. They n..."I had to be really flexible with my writing times when I was first starting because I had so many children.
I have a friend who prefers to write at night.
I think you have to be gentle with yourself and be flexible. Do what you can, when you can.
Janice wrote: "Taking care of my 87 years old Mom, has kept me from writing, lately, but I still have ideas I still dream about."Never stop dreaming. One day that dream may be a story you share with someone!
Lucia wrote: "Thank you for these tips, they’re helpful and inspirational. I mostly write at night once I’m home from work and my son is in bed. It is very tempting to make excuses and say that you don’t have ti..."Spend the time to make the best book, then carve out a bit for the promotion of the book. Even a stolen ten minutes here or there can add up!
Very true, as I do love to write. Also I find I love Twitter. Loved the picture with you, and your dog in Instagram. Have a great day.
Thank you so much for this very helpful blog! I put aside a story I'm working on - no time, too many things to do, etc etc - and reading this gives me the desire to carve out that time, put things in order, and keep going.
