How Do I Find More Time to Write?
Each month I answer one of my reader’s questions. This month, one reader asks: how do I find more time to write?
What should I do if I don’t have enough time in my schedule for writing? Do I sleep later, wake up earlier? Should I put it on hold until I do have time? For how long?
The most important thing you need to remember when it comes to not having enough time to write is that you will never have enough time to do everything.
Whether it’s your writing, household chores, your day job, watching the latest films, or catching up with friends, you just can’t do it all.
The question is, what’s most important to you?
Would you rather watch TV, or would you rather plot your novel?
Would you rather go out for drinks with friends every week, or would you rather spend that evening with your characters, getting one step closer towards your dreams?
Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with my friends, but I love spending time with my characters too, and that is key.
You have to want to write.
And, most importantly, you have to be willing to make sacrifices.
If you want something badly enough, you will do anything and everything in your power to achieve it.
Finding the time to write is really about how you use the time that you already have.
A few years ago, when I got home from work, I’d curl up on the sofa and watch TV. For five hours.
Now, I barely watch that amount of TV in a week. Instead, I spend my evenings writing. And I feel so much better for it.
Getting up earlier and going to bed later can also help, but you need to ensure you still get enough sleep. You won’t be able to write to the best of your ability if you feel like a zombie.
There are always micro moments in life that you can take advantage of, too.
Queues, public transport, and waiting around for people are perfect opportunities to do some writing.
Even if you write just a couple of hundred words while you’re waiting, that’s still 1400 words in a week. 5600 words a month. 72800 words a year.
Micro moments add up. Use them wisely.
I wrote a post for The Writing Cooperative a few weeks ago that you may also find useful: 7 Habits You Need to Adopt if You Want to Write More.
Good luck!
Got a question?
To submit your questions on writing and productivity, email thewriter@writerscookbook.com, or post them in the comments below!
Do you write fiction, poetry, nonfiction, or scripts?
Whatever you write, the core ingredients are the same.
Don’t believe me?
