Finding Time! Early in the morning is the only time I consistently have.
I am doing this part of my blog with the sole purpose of discussing writing, the process and execution of it in my everyday life. Writing is something that has taken on a larger facet of importance in my life recently. For several years, writing was almost too painful. I don’t know the reason for this, and there may have been no other reason other than I wasn’t ready.
Since 2014, writing and telling stories has become fun for me and I have a strong sense of personal freedom with it. I had the same feeling of personal freedom when writing when I was in school. I loved writing so much I used to say, “I want to be a writer when I grow up.” I read voraciously- everything but that is a topic for another post.
I have not always been so successful at writing. Even recently, writing is a challenge for me. But that isn’t the way it’s always been or will always be. Just in this past January 2018 I completed a 24,000 word novella.
My challenges with writing are along the lines of when exactly do I find time to do it. I think time and trying to find time to write is going to the primary focus of this article. Another challenge I face is the feeling that my writing isn’t good enough- which is a topic for another post.
Time is a premium not just for me but for everyone. Between work and family and other stuff who has time for anything else, especially something like writing? What I have done to cope with this problem, is get up early in the morning usually between 430 and 515 and write for 30 to 45 minutes. I’ve read other writers who do this and it works for them too.
This has worked great for me over the last six months but doesn’t mean I did it every day. What it means is that I had a designated time which I could write and that’s all I expected myself to do. I did it when I could. The days I missed, I did not beat myself up over. Some days I wrote multiple times and the results showed.
Now, some readers may think I’ve oversimplified this. But I have come to feel if you want something bad enough you somehow make time for it. This is with everything in life. There are things that slip through the cracks. You forget to get a birthday card in the mail or call someone. These aren’t any less important, but you have so many things going on you forget something. Sometimes, this has been very awkward and painful.
Writing assumes the level of importance in your life much like these other things.
Set aside a designated time to write. When you miss it, remember tomorrow and when you have opportunities for more time, take advantage of them.