How To Make Time To Write
By Dallas Franklin
When we don't take the time to get our writing done,
it's because we don't make the time. It's what
separates the doers from the talkers. Or in this case
the writers from the wannabe writers. You're left with
one decision countless times a day. Will you write or
not? Each time you choose not to write, you lose
another opportunity that's seldom grasped again.
Can't schedule those kids around your writing?
Everyone knows it's great to spend quality and
quantity time with your children. It helps everyone
live happier lives. But you don't have to give every
free hour to them. They like to have time alone too.
And you're also teaching them the value of giving
another their own space for a while. This will also
work in appreciating each other and children becoming
more respectful of others. You don't have to give your
life to your child, rather give life to your child.
There's no such thing as writers block. When you
imagine this wall that's blocking your writing ideas,
it's only you creating it. Stop doing that. There are
lots of ways to shift your attention so that your
writing flows again. Think of something you know about
or find interesting. Then write down all those
thoughts that follow. Now make it into a story,
article or poem. Your choice! You'll be happily
surprised by the results.
If you insist that you suffer from writers block, ask
yourself why you don't want to write. What fear
beckons you away from the page? Check back to see what
the last thing you wrote about. There might be
something there that triggered it. Often it's our own
self-sabotage habits that keep us from writing and
succeeding. Keep them in check.
Get in the habit of jotting down your ideas. These
inspirations often surface unexpectedly. Make sure you
secure them immediately. Keep a small notepad devoted
only to ideas. I have a small 3-ring binder that I've
even named 'Idea Book' that I artistically wrote in
gel ink and use it exclusively for this. This book
will also help you get rid of the notion there ever
was writers block.
Take time to plan and organize. You function much
better when you organize to some extent. You don't
have to be obsessive but having some structure in your
day helps you be more productive. When you get up each
morning and contemplate on your affairs of the day
include a time slot for writing. Choose a time when
you feel sure you won't be interrupted. Throughout the
day make note of any ideas that pop up to write about
later. These are whispers from your muse. Great
treasures can evolve by doing this.
A great time for writing is shortly before you go to
bed or get up in the morning. It's also the time when
our minds are clearer and most receptive. During the
rest of the day our brains are usually inundated with
chatter. We're often not in the moment when we're
going through our routines, but rather thinking of
things yet to do. You need to choose a time when other
thoughts aren't going to interfere with what you're
writing. Generally this is before or after sleep.
Don't wait for the 'perfect time' or you'll never
write. Just like you take time for reading,
television, the computer, so can you make time to
write. The perfect time is always when you ask
yourself 'What'll I do now?' When you find you're
choosing something to do, always think about whether
it's better to be doing that, or writing. This will
help in getting more writing time.
Don't let excuses stop you from living your dream.
It's tough being a writer and dealing with those
countless rejections. Failure only happens when we
give up. If you want to succeed, think writing, do
writing and be a writer.
©2002 Dallas Franklin
About the Author:
Dallas Franklin, Writer and Creator of the writing site
designed for Writers. SellWritingOnline.com delivers
while you discover how to sell your writing online.
Visit us at http://sellwritingonline.com Or subscribe
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by sending any email to sellwritingonline-subscribe@topica.com. You can contact Dallas here