2011 was perhaps the best, but busiest of my life! I did find time to write, but not enough to finish my current manuscript. Now I have two manuscripts that need completion ASAP. I’ve put aside key times to write, but I need more. So now I’m getting creative, trying to find little bits of time I can carve out in my schedule. Suggestions and encouragement are welcome. How do you find time to write or follow your dreams in a world full of commitments, demands, and distractions?
Here is what I have so far. Help me figure out more.
Time Finders
- Take 30 minute “time outs” from all the action to write. I may I have to do something really bad to earn it, but that could be fun too!
- Plan out plot points while on the elliptical.
- Write on airplanes instead of watching movies. I used to write in airports and on planes all the time. This should be very do-able.
- Maximize my Saturday mornings before anyone is awake.
- Sneak off to Starbucks after church on Sundays and let everyone think it was a really long service.
- Use an egg-timer and challenge myself to see how may words I can write before the sands of hourglass drop.
What do you do – crazy or disciplined - to make time for your writing, art, or dreams?
The biggest thing is just to show up. And to type anything even if you think it's all garbage, because as La Nora says, "You can't revise a blank page." It has taken me a long time to "get" that one. Now if I can't quite bridge my chapters I move on and type something that will happen later. I never waste my hour. : )