Today is Insecure Writer’s Support Group day, which takes place on the first Wednesday of every month. Make sure to check out other writers’ posts here.
This month’s question is:
How do you find the time to write in your busy day?
Sometimes I don’t. That’s the short and easy answer. Right now I am working on a huge project that requires as much time as I can give it (and maybe more), so I don’t have the time to write. I do try to fit in a few minutes here and there, but it’s not something I schedule.
Usually, I have writing and blog days. These are days exclusively dedicated to just those activities. I schedule them in at the beginning of the month and then plan my work days around that.
In addition to days dedicated to writing, I try to write each day, even if that means I only write for 15 minutes on a given day. Although in practice it sometimes means I don’t write anything at all some days.
The most important thing in making time for writing for me is making time for reading. The more I read the more I’m inspired to write.
How do you find the time to write?
I’m not great at finding time to write, or making time to write. I do get inspired for my own writing by reading, however, sometimes it can be a bit of a procrastination technique.
I love that you have your MBTI type on your blog. We’re close – I’m an INTJ 🙂
Juggling it all can be tough. Keep at it. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Whole days, huh? Well if that works for you. I couldn’t get away from the family for that long. Maybe one day. =)
I totally agree that writing for at least 15 minutes a day is important. Sometimes we shoot ourselves in the foot by thinking we need to have great chunks of time to write–hence, we don’t write anything.
As for me, I find bypassing sleep and a social life helps.
“The more I read the more I’m inspired to write.” I agree wholeheartedly! 🙂
Happy IWSG Day!
The idea of separating the different tasks by different days is intriguing. My problem is often switching focus from blogging to writing, and vice versa. Devoting whole days could solve that problem.
My head is always writing, it’s finding time to actually organise the thoughts I scribble down during the day that gets me 🙂 I used to try and block out whole days, but now I grab 15 mins when I can. It all adds up.
Time to write is precious, as is time to read, and time devoted to listening to the children (I have 5), keeping up with my extended family, and trying to maintain friendships. I pick projects and try to keep them manageable. That is why I write short stories and flash fiction. By putting down on the page and completing a project, I feel fulfilled. I can edit the next day, but I try to keep up with a new something every day. When I decided to write a novel (still unpublished, but written), I approached the writing much the same. Write a chapter or scene a day. No marathons for me. The rest of my crazy, full life would suffer if I spent all day at the computer, and I can not cause my darlings difficulties. How much time I devote to writing depends on the needs of my family, which is to say it varies from day to day. (I know, self-sacrificing Mom confession, but it is how my heart beats.) However, if I don’t devote myself to the craft, my soul feels fragmented.