14 answers
Genevieve
Student
Cedar Rapids
78
Questions
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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?
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14 answers
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.
Robin Bensinger
Care
1
Answer
Louisville, Kentucky
Updated
Robin’s Answer
Even if you work full time, You can start a habit of writing first thing in the morning, or right before bed. If you just set aside ten minutes a day, you can make great progress. Good luck!
Thank you Robin!
Genevieve
Kate Corvus
Sr. Technical Communications Specialist
4
Answers
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Updated
Kate’s Answer
I find it harder to set aside time for "just me" than for other people, so I used to run a weekly writing hangout. It meant that every week, I was setting up a prompt, spending time on a piece of writing, and then actually talking about what worked (or didn't) with other writing-minded people.
I also had some success (for a little while) with pulling a tarot card every day and writing in response to it. Having a catalyst and a bit of structure made it easier to start when I was feeling detached or tired.
For what it's worth, schedules and routines never worked for me. I've spent 40 years failing to be a morning person, so waking up before work to write? Also not happening. Whatever solution you choose needs to be one that's realistic for the way you work and live and function. If that means driving to a parking lot and writing in your car? Great. If it means you exclusively compose poems on bar napkins? Fine. Some people even write on their phones while they're on public transit.
Think about what characterizes the times and spaces where writing comes easily to you, then try to find ways to recreate that.
Also: Don't be too hard on yourself when you inevitably fall out of the habit again. We all do. <3
I also had some success (for a little while) with pulling a tarot card every day and writing in response to it. Having a catalyst and a bit of structure made it easier to start when I was feeling detached or tired.
For what it's worth, schedules and routines never worked for me. I've spent 40 years failing to be a morning person, so waking up before work to write? Also not happening. Whatever solution you choose needs to be one that's realistic for the way you work and live and function. If that means driving to a parking lot and writing in your car? Great. If it means you exclusively compose poems on bar napkins? Fine. Some people even write on their phones while they're on public transit.
Think about what characterizes the times and spaces where writing comes easily to you, then try to find ways to recreate that.
Also: Don't be too hard on yourself when you inevitably fall out of the habit again. We all do. <3
Thanks for the advice Kate!
Genevieve
Roger Maxwell
Freelance Writer
14
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
I'm glad to help. Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Roger
Roger Maxwell
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
Ricardo Islas
producer
26
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!
Deborah Ali
Fiction Author
2
Answers
Abuja (F.c.t.), FCT
Updated
Deborah’s Answer
Hey there! The honest advice I would give to you is to just write. You can decide to set aside five minutes a day to put something down. Even if you do not have a pen and paper with you at the moment, you could open your notes app on your phone and write! Whatever the inspiration may be at the moment, just put it into writing, it does not have to be perfect at the time. When you are much more settled, you can always go back and revise the piece you wrote. I would also strongly encourage that you have with you a notebook, or a journal strictly for your piece of writings. If this doesn't work for you, you can create a document on your laptop where you store all the pieces you previously wrote or planning to write.
Thank you!
Genevieve
Sushmitha Terdal
TPM
1
Answer
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Sushmitha’s Answer
The solution is to make writing a routine. As you mentioned, job and life responsibilities take preceding. Just think why you brush, bath or go to job without miss!? It is because it is practiced from the start and linked with the timings. This is exactly what we should do. We should incorporate writing in routine and fix the timing also to do it.
Now we understood why we need to add it in routine. Let us also think about How part. Usually, we tend to decide to start writing daily and then eventually we fail to cope up with it. Reason is that we just decided to start without considering the reality. You should think about giving ample time for a Sound sleep, short breaks to relax, time for your top priorities, and then see how best writing can be added in routine. Start with adding three days in a week. If that also seems impractical, try adding two days in a week. This also pushes you to not miss because your brain says it is only for two days in a week and at least you should be able to do this much.
You might fail to do two days in week also but believe me the percentage of failure is less here. Once you fix to this routine, you can slowly think of increasing the number of days.
Next thing to concentrate on is the environment. Though you sit at right time to write, the surrounding environment should support you. Try to plan the timings accordingly.
Next is to start your day with affirmations. Remind your top goals to yourself and say that you are going to put all the efforts to achieve that.
Now we understood why we need to add it in routine. Let us also think about How part. Usually, we tend to decide to start writing daily and then eventually we fail to cope up with it. Reason is that we just decided to start without considering the reality. You should think about giving ample time for a Sound sleep, short breaks to relax, time for your top priorities, and then see how best writing can be added in routine. Start with adding three days in a week. If that also seems impractical, try adding two days in a week. This also pushes you to not miss because your brain says it is only for two days in a week and at least you should be able to do this much.
You might fail to do two days in week also but believe me the percentage of failure is less here. Once you fix to this routine, you can slowly think of increasing the number of days.
Next thing to concentrate on is the environment. Though you sit at right time to write, the surrounding environment should support you. Try to plan the timings accordingly.
Next is to start your day with affirmations. Remind your top goals to yourself and say that you are going to put all the efforts to achieve that.
Thank you!
Genevieve
Anthony Pappas
Teacher
6
Answers
Athens, Greece
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Simplicity. And keep a stack of index cards with you at all times. You can tell yourself a lot of fun things to motivate you to write up the index cards with ideas. An idea doesn't have to be 'the idea to end all ideas' - it just has to be expressible and vivid. Something like 'a man with a hat' - this could have been the artist Margrite's idea, for example! Go slowly and keep looking at your index cards. Keep flipping through them like a deck of cards. You will eventually come across something you can't put down!
Thank you!
Genevieve
Tom Foster
Freelance Writer with a lot of life experience
50
Answers
Forest Grove, Oregon
Updated
Tom’s Answer
Write when the moment strikes and when you feel inspired. If you're busy then take notes and write it down later. Otherwise, just write when you feel the need, so long as it doesn't interfere with your working life.
Just write.
Just write.
Thank you!
Genevieve
Joanne Williams
Associate Professor
33
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
Brian Dever
4
Answers
Coconut Creek, Florida
Updated
Brian’s Answer
What a great question. I'm a playwright, screenwriter, and novelist and I constantly have to set time aside to write. I work full time, and go to school, but I always make time to write. It's not nearly the time I want to spend, but I am able to knock out a few pages. Writing is a passion of mine and I find comfort sitting in front of my computer working on different projects. My best advice I can give you is to make time to write whenever you can. If you schedule a time to write, you may find that you're not in your creative space mentally. I don't schedule a time to write as it builds anxiety. I feel that I need to write and not want to write. Instead, I will write when I feel inspiration. Work and school take priority, but I still have plenty of time to knock out a few pages. Just write, that's all I can say.
Thanks for sharing. I really admire people who balance working full time while going to school. Best of luck to you!
Genevieve
Lynn Hutchison
Director Strategic Integrated Planning
24
Answers
Dacula, Georgia
Updated
Lynn’s Answer
The key to setting aside time for any area of interest is to incorporate it into your daily routine. Whether it's exercise or writing, having a plan to set time aside is essential. The wonderful part of writing is you can do it anywhere at anytime! Think of times in your daily schedule where you can give it your uninterrupted attention such as:
- First thing in the morning. Wake up 30 minutes early and start the day with what you love. This will help you have a positive mindset.
- Leverage breaks and lunches at your full-time job. Pack your lunch and do some writing while you are on break.
- Look at your upcoming schedule and prioritize it! Look at your next day off and plan to give writing a significant block of time!
Remember, when you make time for your passions, it refuels you!
- First thing in the morning. Wake up 30 minutes early and start the day with what you love. This will help you have a positive mindset.
- Leverage breaks and lunches at your full-time job. Pack your lunch and do some writing while you are on break.
- Look at your upcoming schedule and prioritize it! Look at your next day off and plan to give writing a significant block of time!
Remember, when you make time for your passions, it refuels you!
Thank you!
Genevieve