The simple answer to this question is whenever I can. The real answer which sits somewhere between the easy and hard answer and that depends on where I am in the writing process. Am I at the very beginning? In the middle? Or near the end?
When I sit down to write a new story, there’s some preparation required. For starters, several questions come to mind. What do I write? When do I write it? What do I use to write? Today I’m going to address the question of when I find time to write. And within that answer, I’ll sprinkle in these other parts. To begin with, I’ll talk about timing and then how to manage that time.
So, where to start? Let’s address the elephant in the room. Time. It is always so limited and, maybe like you, I find that it has a sneaky way to slip away before I know it’s gone. The big question is when do I find time to write? How do I carve out a block of time where I can clear my head and think creatively? That can be challenging especially when juggling other responsibilities. But, here is how I work out that piece to this jigsaw puzzle.
I have a family which brings certain responsibilities. I have responsibilities to the house. I have responsibilities to the kids. But I can’t forget another important responsibility. That is to myself and to my craft. I dedicate time to write. In order to do that it is necessary to actually block out several hours and I make it known so everyone in my family understands my schedule. I have a day job so, I have to work around my other priorities. How do I do that? We’ll, I write in the morning before work and after I take the kids to school. I write during my lunch break. And I write before going to bed. If I don’t carve out and set aside time for me, someone or something else will steal away that precious time.
On the weekends, I set aside more time, when feasible, before life complicates things and what free time I have is gone. When I am writing, I try on average to write fifteen-hundred good words a day. I say that because you may have heard me say that my schedule is a constantly revolving series of tasks. I am either always writing, editing, or reading. What is the saying? Idle hands are the devil’s workshop? So, in order to hone my skills, I write, edit, and read constantly.
You may have read or heard on my other blogs posts or podcasts that I often use my cell phone to take notes. This enables me the freedom to write anywhere. Whether I am at the park or on the couch, in the grocery store or in line at an event, taking a walk or laying in bed, I can pull out my phone and write. I used to use a journal for this, but have reserved the use of my journal for story development. My phone, however, is a crucial component to how and when I write. It is where most of the notes for the ideas for my stories gets initially stored.
If I were asked what my favorite part of the day for writing was, I would say it was the morning. I enjoy having a morning cup of coffee with a biscotti and a plate of eggs with toast before sitting down to write. It gives me the get-up-and-go to start my day. Often I wake up early, so while the rest of the family is asleep, I’m pounding away at my keyboard, typing on my phone, or using my journal.
Do I listen to music while I write? No. Many writers find it soothing or comforting to listen to their favorite music while heads-down with pencil in hand, but I find it distracting. I often talk with myself. Sometimes inside my head and other times right out loud.
If you are a writer, you may experience the same phenomenon as I. Your stories never leave your head. They’re with you no matter whether you are working, playing, grocery shopping, etc. The characters and plot and storyline plays on a constant reel in my noggin. So, when an idea pops into my head or that must-have twist to the end to a book finally comes to mind, I pull out my phone and jot it down.
You may be asking yourself how I keep all my notes organized in my phone. That’s a great question. I use a paid-for app called Scrivener that I use on my phone and on my MacBook Pro. It allows me to keep things organized so I can find them later and structure the ideas into a cohesive storyline.
Thank you for joining me as I explored my writing journey. Continue reviewing my blogs and don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter where I share writing topics, behind-the-scene details, and members-only material. Remember to go over to my media page to watch my podcasts and learn additional content or view them on YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok. Like and subscribe for more content.