How To Find Time To Write When You Have A Busy Life
Most people believe that writing is a leisurely activity that can be done in spare moments. I suspect that many who read Horror Tree don’t follow that viewpoint. The challenge for many writers is finding time to write, especially when they are busy with their day-to-day lives. It is easy to say that some authors aren’t prioritizing their writing, which can often be true, but time management is really where the fault can lie. In this article, we will discuss ways to find time to write even if you are extremely busy.
The good news is that there are many ways to make writing time a part of your routine, no matter how busy you are. Today, we’ll be looking at some of these options. I will, of course, preface this by saying that not every option for writing will agree with everyone out there and these are just suggestions for helping you find more time to write on a daily basis.
Introduction: Busy lives can make it hard to find time to write.
It can be hard to write when you’re busy. You have so many things to do and you don’t have time to sit down and write. But, if you want to be a good writer, you need to learn how to manage your time and write when you have the time. Writing fiction is a great way to relax and get lost in your story, but it’s difficult to do if you’re always feeling rushed.
There’s no one answer to this question since everyone has different priorities and constraints when it comes to time management. But one key factor that can make writing difficult is when our attention is scattered and we’re not able to focus on the task at hand. This can be a problem for anyone, but it’s especially challenging for writers because we need to be in the moment and suspend disbelief in order to create a compelling story.
Another issue is that writing requires time and effort. It’s not something you can do in a few minutes while you’re waiting for something else to finish or while you’re multitasking. To produce good work, you need uninterrupted concentration and blocks of uninterrupted time.
Unfortunately, many people don’t have either of those things because their jobs are busy or they have other responsibilities that take up their time.
Let’s take a look at a few things we can do to make our available time work for us and our writing.
Set simple writing goals: Start with writing 500 words per day.
When you set writing goals, it can be easy to get lost in the weeds. You might write for hours without stopping to think about what you’re doing or how it will all come together in the end. But setting simple writing goals can help you stay on track and improve your writing skills. The plan is to make simple goals that will help you focus on your writing and achieve your overall goal.
The following are four simple goals to help writers focus on their work:
- Write 500 words per day. You can raise or lower this as needed. The idea though is to have a set goal to help you focus on writing quality instead of quantity.
- Set a goal for what type of story you want to write. This will help inspire and motivate you when writing.
- Make sure that your goals are achievable and time-based so that you can measure your progress accurately.
- Take time each day to review what you’ve written and reflect on how it could be improved.
By setting these small, achievable goals, writers can improve their productivity and achieve greater success as authors.
Find a time that works for you: Early morning, lunch break, late night.
If you’re a writer, there’s a good chance that time management is one of your biggest challenges. You probably have to balance writing with other commitments and obligations, and sometimes it can be hard to figure out how to allocate the right amount of time to each task.
That’s where understanding your own writing habits comes in handy. Some writers are better suited to work in the morning or afternoon, while others can best focus in the evening. It all depends on what works best for you. If you find that mornings are tough because you tend to get distracted easily, maybe working in the evening would be better for you.
Whatever time works best for you is great; just make sure that you don’t suffer from writer’s block if you can’t fit everything into one day or if your schedule changes constantly.
Of course, this is if you have the liberty to decide when you can make time to write.
Create a writing schedule and stick to it: Write for a certain amount of time each day.
If you want to be a successful writer, it’s important to have a writing schedule. And, just like with any other task, it’s best to stick to it. No one ever said writing a book was easy. It’s a lot of work, and you have to be careful not to overdo it. That’s why it’s important to create a writing schedule and stick to it. Without a schedule and a plan, you might find yourself working on your book for hours at a time without ever getting anywhere. This will not only lead to burnt-out creativity, but also poor quality work. So, plan to work for a length of words or time that works for you and then take the rest of the day off. You’ll be able to produce better work in shorter periods of time with this system, and you’ll also have more energy when you come back to it the next day. Here are some things to factor in for creating a writing schedule:
- Decide what type of writer you are. Are you a pantser who writes bits and pieces until the story comes together? Are you more of a plotter who outlines before starting? Determine what works best for you and use that as your guide for creating your schedule.
- Set realistic goals. Don’t expect to write 1000 words every day – that’s unrealistic and will only lead to frustration. Instead, set small goals that will help spur creativity and motivation.
- Break up the workday. If you’re finding it difficult to stick to your writing schedule because it’s too intense or overwhelming, break up the workday into smaller chunks.
Author and writer, Carol Lynn Pearson, has a suggestion for overcoming this problem: set aside some time each day specifically for writing. “If you only have 20 minutes to write, try focusing on one scene or one chapter,” she says. “If you’re able to squeeze in 30 minutes per day, that’s great; if not, start with 10 minutes and build from there.” Pearson also suggests keeping a writing journal as a way of getting your thoughts down on paper without having to worry about how perfect your words are. “This is your chance to dump all the little grudges and frustrations that built up during the day,” she says.
Use a timer: Helps you stay on track and focused.
If you work better writing in a set length of time compared to a set number of words, using a timer is likely the way to go. Use a timer to help you stay on track and focused while writing fiction. By setting a timer, you will know how much time you have left and will be less tempted to stray from your work. Furthermore, using a timer can help you stay organized and keep track of your progress.
Take breaks: Get up and move around every once in a while.
Staring at a blank screen without any movement for hours on end can be very discouraging for writers. However, taking some breaks every once in a while is key to keeping your writing energy up and your mind fresh. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “Taking breaks often helps prevent burnout, which can lead to decreased productivity and creativity” (Rosenberg). In other words, if you take regular breaks, you will be more productive overall and produce better work.
One way to take a break is to get up and move around. This not only releases tension but also allows your mind to wander and come up with new ideas. Additionally, it’s important to get plenty of sleep so that you are rested and ready to write when you do return to your computer screen.
Keep your writing tools nearby: Pens, paper, laptop.
Keeping your writing tools nearby can make the process of writing fiction a little easier. Pens, paper, and laptop are all important tools when it comes to being a writer. Having them close by can help you stay focused and organized while you’re working on your manuscript.
On top of this, having your writing environment set up, organized, and comfortable will allow you to start your writing. Being able to access your tools quickly means you can start quicker, being organized means you won’t waste time preparing to write each day, and finally being comfortable will mentally put you in a better place for your writing workflow. Anything that can help you avoid the dreaded writers block.
Don’t compare your writing to others: Not everyone has the same responsibilities as you.
When you compare your writing to that of others, you may feel like you’re not doing as well as you could be. But not everyone has the same responsibilities as you. For example, a writer who is responsible for marketing their work may have to spend more time on this task than a writer who is solely responsible for writing. So comparing your work to others can be misleading and ultimately counterproductive. Instead, focus on doing your best and letting the readers decide whether they think your work is good or bad.
Comparison is the thief of joy. Comparisons lead us to feel inferior, frustrated, and stressed. We compare our writing to others and often end up feeling like we’re not good enough. That’s why it’s so important to remember that not everyone has the same responsibilities as you. In fact, many people have jobs that require them to be on call at all hours of the day and night, while you may only have to get up early in the morning and sit at your computer for a few hours. If you’re struggling with time management, try setting some boundaries for yourself and don’t compare yourself to others who have different responsibilities. Instead of feeling guilty or like you can’t succeed because you’re not meeting their standards, remember that there’s no one perfect way to do anything and that’s okay!
Conclusion: Writing can be done anywhere and at any time, but creating a schedule and setting simple goals makes it easier to find the time to do it
In conclusion, writing doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By setting simple goals and creating a schedule, almost anyone can find the time to do it. In order to be a successful writer, it is important to be consistent with your writing and develop a routine. By following these tips, you can make the most of your time and improve your writing skills. In creating a schedule for your writing, you can ensure that you are productive and that your work is of the highest quality. A schedule will also help to keep you organized and on track and you will be more productive and less stressed.
So what are you waiting for? Start planning out your schedule today and see the benefits for yourself!
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Stuart Conover is a father, husband, published author, blogger, geek, entrepreneur, horror fanatic, and runs a few websites including Horror Tree!