For this post, I will discuss the frequent excuse many give for not writing: time.
If time is limited, then it’s paramount to make the best of that time. Here are a few tips how.
Television (or other electronic distractions)
Watching TV is probably where I waste most of my time, even now. But as I made writing a priority more and more, it became easier to shut the TV off and devote that time to writing.
If this doesn’t apply to you because you don’t even own a television, you can move on to the next tip.
If TV is also your weakness, try to reduce how much time you spend watching television or using electronic devices to play games, surfing the internet, or other activities online (yes, Facebook counts).
I’m not saying to give up such distractions altogether but find ways to reduce how much time they take out of the day. I use television to transition between my day job and writing. I also eat while watching TV because I’m single. I also think less while watching TV and that’s good for brain cells which need a break from the day job and writing.
Here are some ways to reduce time watching TV if you aren’t doing them already.
Record shows you watch
Watch shows later without commercials. Just by skipping commercials can save between 15 to 20 minutes for an hour-long show. It has another advantage. While the show is recording and you’re not sitting in front of the TV but writing instead, you are less tempted to surf channels and discover new shows you might want to start watching.
Eliminate a show
Even better, eliminate more than one show. Be honest with yourself and consider how much television you watch. Decide the priority of each show compared to your desire to write and keep those shows that bring something to you worth keeping. Be grateful instead of disappointed when a show ends forever and do not replace it with another show.
In the past 3 years, I eliminated more than 5 shows and I was also lucky when 4 shows ended the same year. I got back over ten hours a week and I haven’t replaced them. Yes, I watched a lot of TV.
Make the most of the time you have
If quitting the day job and giving away the husband and kids isn’t an option, it’s still possible to make time for writing by using the time available as efficiently as possible.
Here are a couple of tips.
Learn to type
If you already type fast, you can skip this tip.
I’ve been typing since I was 13 (so for quite a while) but I learned to type correctly at that time. For the heck of it, I tried an online typing test to see how fast I type. I thought I typed about 55-60 words a minute, but it turns out I type 92 words a minute (and made only one mistake on those 92 words). Wow! Much faster than I thought.
But here’s where that typing speed is great. As I think a word, my fingers essentially write that word at nearly the same speed as I thought about writing it. Sometimes, my fingers type according to how the word sounds and picks the wrong spelling (like right and write). I usually notice right away because I don’t look at the keyboard (this also saves on corrections later).
So how can the brain focus on the story when part of it is busy looking at the keyboard (many people type with only 2 fingers), glancing between the keyboard and screen every few seconds? Not very efficient use of time (or fingers).
Getting better at typing isn’t for everyone and does take practice. But what better practice to type faster than while writing? Consider it an investment that will pay off quickly. It won’t take long and your fingers will fly over the keyboard while you wonder why you didn’t bother to learn to type fater before.
Typing speed comes in handy when you’re on a roll. It can help you write a 1500-2000 word or more scene in one sitting (provided you have you have a clear idea of the scene).
If you prefer pen (or pencil) and paper, I can’t help really you except to say maybe . . . learn shorthand? Or, consider using voice to text software.
Think about writing in your spare time
Writing fiction isn’t all about sitting in front of a screen (or paper) to write the words out. It takes time for the imagination to do its work.
Here are times I use to think about the story I’m working on:
Getting ready in the morning or to get to bed (including while taking a bath or shower)
When trying to get to sleep
While exercising (I resolve many story problems while I’m out walking)
While cooking or doing chores
Waiting for an appointment
Shopping
During a commute
The above are just examples. You can think about your story every time you’re alone. The point is, you don’t have to wait for the time you carved out for writing to think about what you will write in that time, however short or long that period is.
If you cannot find at least 30 minutes in a day where your brain can focus on what you want to write about, it will just take longer to finish writing that story. But when the story has grabbed you and won’t let go, it’s easy to eat, drink, think, dream about that story during every spare moment which makes it easier to write the words out when you’re ready.
Make writing a priority
If writing is a priority, you will make time for it. Think about the reason you want to write. If it’s to become famous and make money, it usually doesn’t work well as motivation. But if there is a story in you that wants to come out, the more you work on it, the easier it is to make time for it without a second thought.
Talk about your wish with those around you. You may be surprised at the support you get. Talk about your story too and they may start asking about your progress.
It feels great when you’re able to say, I’m done, or my story took a turn I didn’t expect.
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