Because I’ve started a local newspaper site (I used to be a newspaper editor and reporter) and I make most of my income currently editing other people and being a writing coach, I have put myself in a place called HOLY SWEAR WORD, WHEN DO I HAVE TIME TO WRITE?
Actually today I was in a place that I call, HOLY SWEAR WORD, I DO NOT HAVE TIME TO SHOWER!
Yes, I bet you know that place, too, right?
I was in this same place when I was a newspaper editor and quit everything to get an MFA in writing and really devoted myself to writing children books and now I’m back there again.
Lives are full of complications and work, and we are all busy. And sometimes we may go down the wormholes of social media. And most writers? Most of us have day jobs so we have to squeeze the writing time in. Then there’s writer’s block to contend with, right? And some of us are parents or caregivers.
But there are ways to find the time.
Hint: It should not be by giving up showering.
HERE ARE SOME POSSIBILITIES:
1. DO THE HEMINGWAY
Ernest Hemingway definitely has influenced pretty much all American MFA programs and literary circles in ways that I’m not 100 percent cool with, no offense to him. Not his fault.
He did brilliantly offer up this tidbit of helpfulness.
“I learned never to empty the well of my writing, but always to stop when there was still something there in the deep part of the well, and let it refill at night from the springs that fed it.” – Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway’s way keeps the writer’s block away. If you’re super into what you’re writing about, you don’t have to stress about what you’re writing about the next time you sit. Stop your session halfway through a scene and it’s easier to start again.
2. REMEMBER THAT NOTES ARE YOUR FRIENDS
Carry a notebook or use your phone’s notes application. When you get an idea put it down somewhere so you don’t lose it. Brainstorm. Think. You don’t need to be at your computer to work on your story.
3. SCHEDULE IN YOUR TIME
You have to do this. I know it seems silly, but you have to pick a time to write and write. Put it on the calendar. Treat it like a meeting that you cannot be late for. Schedule writing time into your day or into your week.
To hell with lunch.
To hell with Wordle or Strands or Spelling Bee or Connections on the NYT games app (I totally prefer Connections because my brain works more that way, I guess? Shaun is the opposite).
Even if it’s just ten minutes of writing, write. Schedule it. Put it on the to-do list. Go.
ScriptWriterPro has 48 productivity hacks (Spoiler: Some of them are watching videos to get inspired which is anti-productivity to me) that you might want to check out.
Happy writing, everyone. You’ve got this! Also, I hope you get to shower. Also, I hope I get to shower, which I will if the Southwest Harbor Select Board meeting doesn’t go too long tonight.
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