6 answers
Genevieve
Student
Cedar Rapids
78
Questions
Asked
331 views
How do I make time for writing?
I feel that my full-time job and my life responsibilities get in the way of me writing. What techniques have helped you to write daily?
Login to comment
6 answers
Ricardo Islas
producer
24
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Ricardo’s Answer
Writers are as unique as the stories they tell; some find their creative peak in the morning, when thoughts are crisp and uncluttered, while others thrive under the cover of night.
No matter the type of writer you identify as, I have a few friendly tips that might help. Firstly, always have a notebook (or a note-taking app on your phone) within reach. This way, whenever a spark of inspiration strikes, you can swiftly jot it down and ensure it doesn't slip away. Secondly, establish a framework that you can easily fill in whenever you have a spare moment. For instance, if you're crafting a screenplay and a concept springs to mind, quickly sketch an outline without delving into the details. Later, when you have more time, you can return to it and flesh out the idea, rather than facing a daunting blank page.
Take a trip down memory lane with me to the late 90's, when I was a valet at a restaurant, spending my days in an old Chevy '77, awaiting customers. I always had a small notebook and pen on hand, using idle moments to scribble down thoughts and ideas. After dinner, I would sit at my computer and expand on these rough sketches. This was the humble beginning of my screenplay for "Night Fangs". This movie has now been available for nearly three decades, and you can find it on platforms like Tubi, DVDs, and more. If a simple valet could achieve this, trust me, you have the potential to do the same!
No matter the type of writer you identify as, I have a few friendly tips that might help. Firstly, always have a notebook (or a note-taking app on your phone) within reach. This way, whenever a spark of inspiration strikes, you can swiftly jot it down and ensure it doesn't slip away. Secondly, establish a framework that you can easily fill in whenever you have a spare moment. For instance, if you're crafting a screenplay and a concept springs to mind, quickly sketch an outline without delving into the details. Later, when you have more time, you can return to it and flesh out the idea, rather than facing a daunting blank page.
Take a trip down memory lane with me to the late 90's, when I was a valet at a restaurant, spending my days in an old Chevy '77, awaiting customers. I always had a small notebook and pen on hand, using idle moments to scribble down thoughts and ideas. After dinner, I would sit at my computer and expand on these rough sketches. This was the humble beginning of my screenplay for "Night Fangs". This movie has now been available for nearly three decades, and you can find it on platforms like Tubi, DVDs, and more. If a simple valet could achieve this, trust me, you have the potential to do the same!
Thanks for your encouragement!
Luke
Thank you for sharing your personal story. I found it really inspiring!
Genevieve
Joanne Williams
Associate Professor
26
Answers
Olivet, Michigan
Updated
Joanne’s Answer
Start early, Genevieve. Perhaps a dream journal by your bed to fill up, morning or evening. Write a note or two at breakfast - a postcard to someone, a thank you. For breaks, keep a journal nearby for notes, or use notes on your devices.
When something strikes you, you have that tech to take just seconds to note it. Do so.
One of the things I have been doing is actually scheduling an hour or so a day for writing, reading, organizing. If it is essential to your growth and wellbeing, make the time. Stay engaged.
When something strikes you, you have that tech to take just seconds to note it. Do so.
One of the things I have been doing is actually scheduling an hour or so a day for writing, reading, organizing. If it is essential to your growth and wellbeing, make the time. Stay engaged.
Thank you!!
Genevieve
Roger Maxwell
Freelance Writer
12
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Roger’s Answer
Despite that I've been a writer for several decades, with a couple of books, I still struggle with finding time to write. So I'm preaching to the choir here.
I find it easiest to write at night, before bed. That's where I planted myself when I worked on my novels. I find that I can let my mind go and let the words flow. Sometimes the writing is good, sometimes not so good. But you can't become a good driver, or get anywhere, unless the car is moving.
If I was making a living as a writer, I would probably be writing during the day - or maybe not.
Try going to bed earlier and just lay there for a bit, until you're relaxed, and then do your writing. If you have a project you're working on, read a couple of pages back before you start to get the flow going. <-- that was a terrible sentence.
So there is my two cents. I hope it helps.
Roger
I find it easiest to write at night, before bed. That's where I planted myself when I worked on my novels. I find that I can let my mind go and let the words flow. Sometimes the writing is good, sometimes not so good. But you can't become a good driver, or get anywhere, unless the car is moving.
If I was making a living as a writer, I would probably be writing during the day - or maybe not.
Try going to bed earlier and just lay there for a bit, until you're relaxed, and then do your writing. If you have a project you're working on, read a couple of pages back before you start to get the flow going. <-- that was a terrible sentence.
So there is my two cents. I hope it helps.
Roger
I think that great advice, thanks Roger!
Genevieve
Susan Pope
Art Teacher
3
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Susan’s Answer
If you have a busy schedule, find at least a 60 min block of time once a week. That will be enough to get you on the right path. I recommend making a schedule, as if this were a job. So Friday at 4pm, write for one hour.
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this.
Luke
Thank you!
Genevieve
You’re welcome. I hope this helps you get started!
Susan Pope
Harold Gross
Staff Technical Writer, Author, Actor
10
Answers
Issaquah, Washington
Updated
Harold’s Answer
Lots of suggestions I'd have made are in this thread already, but I can also share my current approach that definitely helped me keep the wheels greased. Ten years back I started a blog (quaint now, I know) where I wrote up reviews of all the movies and tv shows I was watching. It was a practical choice for me as all of my friends kept hammering me for suggestions; it saved me from repeating myself a dozen times a day.
Each morning over breakfast I still spend some time exercising my skills to create and edit short write-ups. It isn't directly related to my fiction efforts, but having writing as a natural part of my daily expression has made it easier for me to slip in and out of that mode later in the day when I switch back to fiction. It worked for me because it's a short, scheduled time I know I can manage on almost any day. Like exercise, if you build it into your day, it gets easier and more unavoidable. And that's the place you want to get to. The act of writing should just be a muscle you automatically flex to dump your ideas onto the page/screen. You shouldn't have to think about it.
It's never quite that easy, but I have found my efforts to have reduced friction for me. As a bonus, I have over 3500 reviews I've written as well :-)
Each morning over breakfast I still spend some time exercising my skills to create and edit short write-ups. It isn't directly related to my fiction efforts, but having writing as a natural part of my daily expression has made it easier for me to slip in and out of that mode later in the day when I switch back to fiction. It worked for me because it's a short, scheduled time I know I can manage on almost any day. Like exercise, if you build it into your day, it gets easier and more unavoidable. And that's the place you want to get to. The act of writing should just be a muscle you automatically flex to dump your ideas onto the page/screen. You shouldn't have to think about it.
It's never quite that easy, but I have found my efforts to have reduced friction for me. As a bonus, I have over 3500 reviews I've written as well :-)
Thank you!
Genevieve
Saliek Ruffin
Entrepreneur
5
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Saliek’s Answer
The most practical advice I have.
Just write. No matter where or what it is.
Start with post it notes. Then index cards. And from index cards, use a small notebook. And all of these methods can be in place of or along with your phone or computer. Just start writing by jotting down every thought you have. Then brainstorm and formulate those thoughts into something bigger.
Just write. No matter where or what it is.
Start with post it notes. Then index cards. And from index cards, use a small notebook. And all of these methods can be in place of or along with your phone or computer. Just start writing by jotting down every thought you have. Then brainstorm and formulate those thoughts into something bigger.
Thank you!
Genevieve