12 Ways to Carve Out Writing Time
Have you noticed the moment you try to find more time for your writing; non-writing items miraculously quadruple in size and urgency?
Whenever I ask writers what their biggest challenge is they invariably say – finding time. Yes, our lives are busy and full to the brim with obligations and distractions.
So instead of trying to “find time” – we need to take it.
We need to grab it, carve off a chunk and protect it from all invaders. Sound a bit Game of Throne-sy? Maybe so. But there’s no one on the planet interested inprotecting your writing time more than you.
Want to get that project finished this year?
Reclaim your writing time.
1) Identify exactly what you want to achieve and why.
Write it down and stick that note above your computer where you can see it. Dig deep and identify the why – it will sustain you when you want to waver.
2) Break down the BIG project tasks into a list of SMALL, do-able tasks.
A BIG project can be overwhelming. Doing one small task after another is do-able. These might be specific tasks that build towards completing the whole project or you might prefer target-related tasks e.g. write 500 words per writing session, write 2 scenes per session – whatever works.
3) Identify the regular non-writing activities you really don’t need to do.
Add up how much time you spend on these activities every week and prepare to be horrified.
4) Replace one of these activities with a regular writing appointment.
Make an appointment and put it in your calendar. It doesn’t matter if you schedule a day a week or an hour a week or an hour a day – repetition is key and the more you turn up, the easier it will become to make this a normal part of your life.
5) Protect that appointment.
It’s so easy for our planned writing time to get bumped. Decide ahead of time that you’re not allowing anyone or anything (non-urgent) to bump it – you’re simply not available at that time. Be aware that well-intentioned or selfish or just plain oblivious people will frequently assail the castle walls so you need to get firm about it. You’re busy at that time. If you have young dependants, it’s certainly trickier but not impossible – organise your time for when they’re at school or under the care of someone else.
6) Attach Your Writing Time to An Existing Routine
Instead of trying to fit a whole new routine into your life, attach your writing time to an existing one. Your morning coffee or walk becomes a trigger that signals it is time to do some writing. Or it might be your daily commute on public transport. Whatever you choose – it just needs to be a repeated activity that signals it’s time to enter writing mode. This is good habit forming in action.
7) When You Show up - Focus 100% on Your Project.
Despite the common belief – multi-tasking is not that productive. Focus, on the other hand is. Turn off your phone, close your inbox, shut down social media tabs and tell your nearest and dearest you are not to be disturbed. They might not like it but hey - you don’t like having unfinished projects sitting in your drawer for the rest of your life.
8) Start Resisting Nonsense Activities
Ask yourself - which one of these tasks TRULY need to be done right this minute? Most of them (if not all of them) can probably wait. If you feel the alluring pull towards the quick “win” of completing something – take a breath. Ask yourself how indulging this nonsense task serves your writing or your longer-term goals.
9) Don’t Check Your Emails or SM Before You Start Writing
We’ve all done it! Told ourselves, “I’ll just check (whatever) first then I’ll start.” Cue decimated writing time. An email will send you in a direction that is not conducive to writing. You’ll spend twenty minutes answering a query or researching something you don’t actually need to know.
10) Reward Yourself When You Are Done
Once you’re completed your writing appointment – give yourself a tick or a mini pat on the back. It’s stupidly satisfying. And if you’re struggling to stick to your allotted time – give yourself a reward at the end of the session e.g. If I write for one more hour (or get one more scene done) I get to eat eclairs, watch TV, grab a coffee, pat kittens (or do whatever it is I like to do.)
11) Buddy Up
Share your writing intention and writing appointment with another writer who also wants to write more – and check in on each other. It helps hold you accountable – AND what you intend to achieve, creating a sense of commitment.
12) Keep at it!
Scientific studies indicate that forming a new habit generally takes between 3 weeks and 2 months. Yes, there will be moments when you don’t particularly want to stick to your scheduled appointment but the more often you do, the easier it will get to turn up. It is so satisfying when you see the small, regular pieces of work suddenly start looking like a sizable chunk of work and then an awful lot like a nearly finished project.
Want to be a more productive writer? Dive into my book! Check it out here.