Writing Tip #4: Finding Time

Hello all. Sorry I haven't been around for a couple weeks. My real job is that I work in a Ace Hardware warehouse. It being spring, and the weather finally cooperating, our business has really taken off. I've been doing overtime for the last several weeks, and have had some family matters that have been taking my time as well. I apologize for neglecting my little corner of the World Wide Web.

Which leads me to the topic of the day. Making time for your writing. My writing mentor, Trey Barker, once told me you have to treat your writing like children, you have to make time for it. If writing is important in your life, you have to take the time to take it seriously and make an effort to work on it daily.

One thing that you need to establish early is what you intend to do with your writing. Do you just want to write a journal or a family history or a few stories for your family, friends, and kids? Or do you want to pursue writing as more than a hobby? Do you want to see your name in ink and possibly, against all odds, get a book deal? Your decision will affect how much time you spend on your writing.

My Mom is a great writer. She's had more than one non-fiction piece published in everything from her local newspaper to Country Magazine. I've told her more than once that she needs to pursue her writing more, but she can never find the time to sit down and do it every day. She writes when she has time and the mood strikes her, but they don't often fall together. So, she writes letters, does some work on her journals, and writes a few essays here and there. Her goal is not so much to have a writing career, but as to capture her thoughts and stories for the family and a few others. If she gets published on occasion, she's thrilled.

On the other hand, her son (me) has this for a schedule: Alarm goes off at 5:00am. Get dressed for the day, start coffee, boot up the computer, and work on current project until 6:00am. Walk the dog. At 6:15, get the kids up and start getting them ready for school. Roust the wife, have her help with the kids. Get breakfast made for kids and father in law (who lives with us). At 7:10am kiss wife goodbye and take daughter to bus. Make sure son is at least headed the direction of his car. Clock in to work at 8:00am, fill orders until done, clock out help with supper, help with dishes, do other chores as needed, shower, shave, and bed by 8:30pm. Wake up at 5:00am. Repeat.

Now, this doesn't include soccer games, family events, after school programs, and the daily life in general. It does however, include an hour a day for writing, editing, or doing research. You have to make the time. You have to dedicate that time to your work.

You have to find the time for yourself to dedicate to your writing. The more you write, the more improvement and evolution your work will show.