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by Kim Prissel
How many times have you said those words? Do you have a great story idea just bubbling around in your head, but you don’t have the time to sit down and type it? Do family obligations and interruptions interfere with your writing time? Here are some tips and ideas to make more time to write.
Give yourself permission to sit down and write. Allow a portion of your day to be dedicated to writing. Know what time of the day is best for your creativity and work it into your schedule just like you would make time to go to the gym. Even thirty minutes a day can be rewarding. Thirty minutes a day will yield 182.5 hours a year. After a couple weeks of scheduling time, you’ll enjoy your new writing habit.
During your “writing time”, ask family to please not interrupt and don’t answer the phone. These minutes are precious – don’t waste them. If a spouse or friend is watching your children for you during this time, put in earbuds and let some music block the temptation to get involved. Focus on your goal and don’t stray by letting your mind wander.
Answering email and messaging friends will destroy large blocks of time. Turn off the instant message consoles and stay away from emails during “writing time”. Once you’re in a writing lull or need a break, then make time for friends.
Dedicate a block of time to go back and read what you’ve written and edit then. Backspacing for every small spelling error can burn precious time.
Keep research time limited and focused. It’s very easy to become distracted while researching on the internet. Take precise notes and notate web pages where you found information so time isn’t wasted when you have to refer back. Keep your research organized, title your pages and highlight important phrases.
Your workstation should be free of clutter and distractions. Don’t leave bills laying on your work surface. Sharpened pencils and pens should be kept nearby. Make sure your printer has paper before you start. Your desk chair should be comfortable and fit correctly. If you like to play music while writing, select your CDs and have them ready to play. Put your mp3 players on shuffle or choose a playlist that suits your mood.
If you have small children, naptime and story time at the local library are profitable moments. Early mornings before the family wakes with demands is also a usable time. If you’re a night person, after bedtime could be used also. Even while you’re in the backyard watching the kids, waiting in a doctor’s office or parked for car pool, you could take note cards and jot ideas on them.
Speaking of story time, all those silly tales you make up to entertain your children could be a treasure trove of children’s story ideas. Jot them down while still fresh in your head. Some of the best published children’s tales came from verbal stories created for children.
If permissible at your office, eat lunch at your desk at work and work using a jump drive to transport your work. (Make sure you keep a copy on your hard drive at home as a safety measure. It can’t be stressed enough times, BACK UP YOUR WORK.)
Don’t be distracted with editing. Dedicate a block of time to go back and read what you’ve written and edit then. Backspacing for every small spelling error can burn precious time.
I hope a few of these ideas will be helpful
About the author: Kim Prissel is an author on www.Writing.com which is a site for Writers.
Courtesy: EzineArticles
Photo: _StaR_DusT_
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