Author: Lesley Donaldson

Author, narrative game designer, and creative powerhouse. http://writerlesleydonaldson.com/about-lesley-donaldson/
Making Time for Writing

Making Time for Writing

I did a few shifts at the hospital recently. *gasp* One of my colleagues said he was always interested in writing but could never find the time. At some point, every writer in each level of the profession has heard someone say that they want to write but just can’t find the time.

This is one of the ultimate human myths: that time is an elusive thing we seek but cannot obtain. Whether it’s for exercise, hobbies, relationships, or travel, time is the scapegoat for the person who won’t. Notice I didn’t say can’t.

I’m guilty of it, myself. I’ve said that I can’t find the time to exercise as much as I’d like. The truth is, I chose to do other things than exercise as it is not a preferred activity, despite the health benefits.

Time is What You Make of It

Science proved that time isn’t static. Time moves faster at higher elevations and closer to objects of heavy mass (like black holes, or me). Our perception of time is influenced by many factors, like our relative speed, familiarity with our surroundings, age, emotions, and neurotransmitters like dopamine.

Time is not, in and of itself, a commodity we can buy or store.

Then why do we say that we don’t have enough of it to write if we really want to write? The truth is, the time is available–we have to make ourselves available to use it.

Effective Ways to Manage Writing Time

Turn Off the Devices

Netflix + situational depression was not a good combination for me last autumn. I anesthetized my emotions in hours of binging great programming (loved Downton Abbey and Stranger Things) and some sucky stuff. I still haven’t done Walking Dead though!

I’ve got my not-grieving-grieving under control, for the most part, but now I’m faced with the lure of consuming more Netflix. If you can’t “make” yourself turn off the TV, or video game, or social media, try using the parenting timers and apps that limit access to these devices. Some televisions have this feature built in. Cold turkey is an option too, but I can’t bring myself to break my TV, even if master author Steven King says its a good idea.

Use the In-Between Times for Platform and Promo

If you have time on your hands, but you’re not able to write, try to do the other things that authors need to do to promote their work. I’m going to sound like I’m contradicting myself because I just said, get off the social media, and now I’m saying use the social media. Yes, I’ve had my tea for today. There’s logic in my contradiction. I promise.

I used to edit when my son was having his bath. He played happily, I was in the room for safety, and I didn’t need the peace and quiet to accomplish my tasks. Sure, the editing came in fits and starts, and sometimes water splashed across my print-out. The point is, I was present for his safety but I couldn’t be present to write. I used the time to do something else instead. Of course, this only worked during a specific age range, when my son was able to sit up independently and was not likely to drown as he played with bubbles. It goes without saying that I’d never put him at risk, or deprive him of our positive relationship for the sake of writing.

What are those in-between times for you when you have a hand free to brainstorm, create memes, schedule posts, re-post to further your outreach in the community? Are you waiting for an appointment? Standing at the bus stop? Working from home with the entire family making noise? Sometimes I multi-task and create or schedule promotions while I catch up on recorded programs with my husband.

PVR Everything

I don’t often watch live television. Although I *could* work during the commercials, I’m more likely to watch a program I’ve recorded when I’m having lunch (because I don’t like eating over my keyboard) while skipping commercials. I don’t have anything against marketing or working lunches, I just can’t create my own content when I’m eating or watching TV.

This means I’m often out of sync with the rest of my geek peer group, but that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make in order to carve out more time for me.

Weigh Your Priorities

We all have things we have to do, and things we want to do. Both demand of our time. If you want to make a serious go of being a writer or author, you have to give it the time it deserves to hone your craft and promote your brand.

Consider where you put your time right now. My son is my #1 priority and that will never change. It doesn’t mean that he has my 100% undivided attention every single moment of the day, but it does mean that I make myself available for him when he needs me. My hobbies, however, had to take a back seat to both family and writing. I couldn’t give everything equal time and make a success of myself.

Set Time Aside For Yourself

This is often a tough one for parents, or those people who have been raised to put value in others before they put value in themselves. I started this journey by getting up at 6 AM and writing for an hour before the fam woke up. Being a shift worker, it wasn’t hard for me to maintain. I even do it on holiday. There are authors who share their community in the #5AMWritersClub. That’s too early for me!

Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, having time alone, particularly away from the ones who are dependent upon you, is essential. It may require a change in sleeping habits, but keep in mind that too little sleep is not conducive to one’s health!

You are worth the half an hour a day to have time to yourself to create your manuscript or promote your brand. If you have to sneak into the bathroom and lock the door to have that time, then do so… although this person found out that’s not an option with a translucent door!

Change the Way You Think About Chores

You don’t have to be the only one who does the daily chores. Period. I was at a blogging conference when Angela England, author of Gardening Like a Ninja,said, “Anyone can clean my toilet. Only I can create my content.” Wise words, indeed.

Some would-be authors don’t want to give up the self-satisfaction in keeping a tidy house. Some think that kids/partners shouldn’t be the ones who do these daily jobs, for whatever reason. I commend that ideal, but it also takes away from writing time. Your house doesn’t have to be magazine perfect all the time. It’s okay to skip dusting every now and again.

We used a lovely little Mint Cleaner to dust our hardwood floor for years before the battery de-conditioned and stopped holding its charge. My son now enjoys using the Swiffer and I let him turn it into a game. Hubby shares household chores, sometimes because I ask him to so I can get more writing done. He’s not for rent, though.

How Do You Find Ways to Carve Time Out for #amwriting in Your Day?

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