Years ago there were many times I wished I could just spend my days writing full-time; where I didn’t have to worry about work and looking after kids and a household. Now that my kids are older, I’m no longer working and completed my University studies (yes, I did that too), I can finally say that I’m fortunate enough to write full-time. It’s every writer’s wish come true, right?
Sure, some days can be like this:
while other days it can be more like this:
The reality is that sometimes I think I wrote more when I had less time to write; I valued my time more and therefore spent it more wisely (and we didn’t have such things as social media as a distraction). Writing full-time, especially when you are unpublished, makes it very easy for one to goof off (yes, guilty as charged).
If there’s one thing my university studies taught me, though, it was to learn to become self-motivated. I studied, not for change in career, but because I wanted to. My studies were completely on-line; no need for me to attend a lecture once (much to my husband chagrin), for several years. I sat at my desk and at the keyboard day after day, forcing myself to get that work done. It’s the same when it comes to writing. Nobody is forcing us to write; we write because we want to. We need to make that time to write, no matter how small.
And as far as housework goes? Pft! Let those dust bunnies come – I’ll get rid of those once they become antiques. 😉
How do you find the time to write in your busy day? What do you do to stay motivated?
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Yeah! Love those last sentences of yours.
“Nobody is forcing us to write; we write because we want to. We need to make that time to write, no matter how small.”
These sentences say it all. Excellent advice and wisdom.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia
Thanks so much Pat! I’ve been guilty of putting too much pressure upon myself, but recently I’ve learnt to ease back a bit in order to remind myself I’m in this not only for the long haul, but because I enjoy it. That’s the reason we become writers after all. 😉
Nice post fellow ISWG! I feel you, having more free time makes it harder to knuckle down. It is all about self-discipline. I used to be terrible at it, but since taking up the pen, I’ve improved greatly.The only person who can get the task done is myself. 😀
Hi elegancesicy. I’m not very good at self-discipline, which is one of the reasons why I took up University studies. It’s so easy to goof off, especially when you have no deadlines to worry about (and it helps to have those)! Good to hear your own self-discipline has improved – it’s certainly not an easy thing to do. Thanks for visiting – it’s good to meet you. 🙂
I enjoyed your post. The gifs are hillarious. I agree with you, we find the time, because we need the time – because we have to write. Thanks for sharing.
all the best,
Jo-Ann Carson
Hi Jo-Ann. Yes, you’re right – we have to write. I’ve tried switching it off a couple of times, but I keep going back, so I guess this is my real creative outlet. I find on those days when I haven’t written for a while I get fidgety because I’ll go crazy otherwise. So, I guess, I’ve got no excuse! 😉
I have to find energy and time to write. I work full time and at the end of the day I’m pretty tired. Plus I have two large dogs that require a lot of attention. I try, and usually end up writing at lunch break or on the weekends and holidays. My motivation comes from inner strength and positivism, because this writing world is tough.
Hi Savannah. I hear you! Working full-time can be very draining to get any writing done, but I’m glad you’ve managed to work around it. I find that I’m a happier person after I’ve written, then I feel like I’ve accomplished something for the day. Stay positive! 🙂
HA! I like the way you think regarding the dust bunnies. When our kids were growing up, our house was sooooo clean, you could eat off the floor. Then it hit me: who the heck wants to eat off the floor???
Now that we’ve been retired empty nesters for more years than I care to admit, I’m happy if the house is clean enough to avoid being condemned by the health department. Okay, slight exaggeration, but you get the point. I’d rather be writing. 🙂
Hi Susan. I see those pictures of spotless homes on television and I think ‘I wish’, then I see Hoarders and think ‘no way!’ I prefer that happy medium, what I like to call ‘that lived-in look’. Besides, no sooner have you finished cleaning, you have to do it again and who wants that? As you say, I’d rather be writing! Thanks for stopping by – it’s good to meet you. 🙂
Your webpage is beautiful!
You raise a good point. I’m looking at retiring in 3 1/2 years and having more time to write. But I need to have a plan and make sure my time is well spent. Lately, I can’t say that I’ve made good use of my time for actually writing. I need to do better since I have a couple of projects pressing on me.
Thank you so much Donna! Having a plan is a good idea; my only ‘plan’ was to just write, which wasn’t really enough. I know what you mean about ideas. Recently I couldn’t decide which project to work on and my husband told me to just go with the one that ‘spoke’ to me the most. I think that’s a good way to go as your enthusiasm will help you get the words down. Best of luck and thanks for stopping by. 🙂
You know, I understand what you mean about getting less done now than before. I’ve always worked best under pressure. I think if I had free time I’d wind up wasting it, which I do even when I don’t have time!
Hi Tess. I know what you mean. Working to a deadline and writing against a timer I’ve found to be a really big help. I obviously need to work on that more. 😉 Thanks for stopping by.
Isn’t the “lots of time” / “lack of time” paradox something? You say that you write more when you have less time, an I think this is so true for many people. Heck, NaNoWriMo was practically founded on this principle!
Very insightful post, and thanks so much for stopping by my blog as well.
Hi TCC Edwards. That’s what I love about NaNoWriMo – it really forces you to get those words down. Will you be participating this year? Lately I’ve been using a timer as well as making my own deadlines, which has been extremely helpful. I find that if I don’t do this, before I know it, months can go by with nothing productive to show for it. Thanks for stopping by – it’s good to meet you. 🙂