How To Find Time To Write

I am somewhat fortunate in that my children are grown and mostly independent. I also have a spouse willing to give me large amounts of time as long as I’m in the house with him. As a result, I can write most weekends up to 10 hours a day if I choose, and weeknights around three hours if I get home on time. It’s a good life for a writer.

I’m a college student with an internship. Right now I have a lot of things on my plate. But writing is my number one priority. I write out all of my big projects for work, academics, and writing. I then break everything down to manageable weekly bits (for writing my novel it’s 10,000 words or more a week, for a research paper I may concentrate on finding sources). Everything is based on setting rational objectives and goals. I don’t do anything that will take away from my focus as a writer and a student (I do balance studying Japanese however). For rewards I’ll do things I enjoy– reading, watching a movie, eating out with friends…that sort of thing.

People used to ask me how I “found” the time to write, considering I have four kids and a very busy schedule. I always replied, “I don’t find the time, I make the time.” And that’s what it always comes down to, priorities. I watch little TV and almost no movies. When I was finishing my first book, the weekends were fair game for working, just as Monday through Friday are. How badly do you want to write? If you want it bad enough, you’ll find a way to make it happen. It’s just that simple.

It took a lot to get neighbors, friends and others to realize that just because I’m at home, doesn’t mean I’m not working! I don’t have time to gossip over coffee with people who are home and have all day to stay at my kitchen table. It’s important to communicate with others, especially if you are a writer, but I do that by phone. It’s easier to disengage and go back to writing when you have limited time, than to try to “evict” someone who dropped in on you because “they” have the time. Time management is key!

I agree with MM, if you want it bad enough you’ll make the time. For me, time definitely is not on my side; I’m gone 12hrs a day between working and commuting. When I get home I’m generally too tired and my family wants a little time. One resource I’m wanting is a laptop so during the time I spend commuting I can write, but this takes money I don’t have right now.
It would appear that the odds are stacked against me but that’s not the way I see it…most of the time. I write at work when during slow times, send documents to my email and continue to edit and refine at home. Sometimes even sending the same document back to the office for further additions and editing. This can be a process but for now it’s what I need to do and where there’s a will there’s a way!

I created two blogs. One is my personal journal that only I can view. I don’t know why but this forces me to write everyday. I have fun with it, and imagine all the success coming my way My handwriting stinks, and using Word is too boring, so I created an inspirational space for me to work online

I do not have any time to write during the day!I am only twelve and yet I am writing a novel with my friend. With communicating with her, spending time with my family, school, and homework i cannot seem to find any time! please help!

Sometimes, depending on my current schedule, I carve out more time by staying up later or getting up earlier. It CAN be done. I read somewhere many successful–and now full-time–writers began by writing only a few pages or minutes at a time.

I have lots of time to write! Sometimes you just condition yourself that NOW IS THE TIME TO WRITE – and the rest will follow.