We’re all busy. We have social obligations, kids and dogs to take care of, marriages to nourish, houses and apartments to maintain. If writing isn’t something you’re paid to do, it can easily fall by the wayside. But it doesn’t have to as long as you follow my tips for fitting writing into your schedule.
Take a Notepad and Pen Everywhere
Waiting for the doctor or dentist? Got a few minutes before that meeting starts at work? Dinner all prepped but the pasta needs to come to a boil? Pull out a notepad and pen and start writing. Write every chance you get. Write anytime you can squeeze it in.
Download a Voice Dictation App
Maybe you hate writing freehand. Maybe you don’t want to have to remember to carry a notepad and pen around. Download a voice diction app. Let your mind wander when you’re walking the dog in the morning or taking a lap outside your office building during lunch. If composing a story out loud feels awkward, try brainstorming character profiles, chapter ideas, plot twists, and anything else related to your writing.
Set a Schedule
This an oldie but a goodie: set aside a certain time of day to write. Pick an amount (ten, 15, 20, 30 minutes), sit down at the computer, set a timer, and write. Just write. Block everything else out (easier said than done, I know) and get those words down. If you’re not big on timing yourself, set a word count. Do whatever it takes to produce.
Make Others Hold You Accountable
It’s easy to fail to live up to our own expectations but when other people are holding us accountable, we tend to rise to the challenge. Tell your spouse, your children, your friends, your siblings and anyone else in your life about your desire to write more. Tell them to to be pushy. Tell them to ask about your progress constantly. To push you when you’re too tired. To cheer you on when you reach a milestone. Sharing your goals and accomplishments with others is one of the best ways to ensure you keep writing.
I hope my tips will help those of you who find yourselves wishing you had more time to write.
Go forth and produce!