How to make time to write

We can’t just discover the time to write, like finding someone in hide and seek. It’s not the sort of thing that just happens upon us unexpectedly (or at least, not most of the time). Unless you have an appointment cancellation, or plans postponed, you’re probably not going to just “find time” lying around. You’re probably going to have to make it.

How we make time differs so much depending on what stage of life you are at. For instance, I am a young woman who’s been married for a year, working part time, doing all the housework, and committing to helping at church. There is a LOT more time to be made in my days than a mum of young kids, or someone working long hours all week. Maybe if you are past the children stage, and now a grandmother or grandfather, you’ll have a bit more time than you did when there were crying babies and extracurricular activities to get to. But the art of making time for what’s important to us is something we need to learn. Because otherwise the years will slip away, and one excuse will turn into another, and that book of yours isn’t going to get written. So, what’s the game plan?

Making time is a choice, and so it’s something we need to consciously do. Not just hope will happen. It’s time to get proactive! Maybe this means waking up earlier, or giving your children a quiet time after lunch, or maybe it’s dropping something else so you can pick up your book. Here’s what I’ve found in my life.

Going from single to married has drastically changed my writing life, and I’m sure that going from married to with kids is going to change it even more. When I was single, the evenings were mine after I went to bed, it was just me and whatever I decided to do with that time before falling asleep. Sometimes this would be writing. Mornings also felt different, there wasn’t anyone to leave if I got up early to write, so I did. All my free time was mine, and there wasn’t someone to share it with always.

Now my husband and I talk, we watch a show, we eat snacks, and build our house. Connection is in the places it used to just be me; and believe me, I do NOT want to go back! It’s just about shifting things so they work smoothly in life.

I have to be honest, my writing life has become slightly nonexistent at times the last year. Living without any proper power or internet has largely played a part! But it’s also just the new lifestyle of being a wife.

Anyway, let’s get practical on HOW to make the time to write.

My personal game plan is still focused on mornings.

This is a great creative time for me. It’s quiet, it’s me and God, and it’s not taking away from something else I should be doing. Once my day starts, it usually doesn’t pause, and if it does, I find it super difficult to get out of “doing” mode, and into “creating” mode. So beginning with creating, before there’s anything distracting me is awesome.

I’ll often intentionally not check my phone at this time, that thing is a time stealer!

I’d super duper recommend trying this. Our phones mess with our focus incredibly, and it takes our brains twenty minutes to get back into that state of focus after getting interrupted. Guard yourself from the rabbit holes! This is also why I prefer writing on a software that doesn’t need internet, because it’s so easy to think, “I’m just going to look up what flowers bloom at that time of year”, and next minute it’s a full blown vlog that has our attention. Not helpful at all. So turn the phone on airplane mode (or just don’t touch it at all till you’re finished writing), and try stay away from opening new tabs if possible. I’m not perfect in this area, and do often look up facts about trees, or animals – random details I want in descriptions usually. But it can be a trap!

Writing every day can be a lifesaver for our writing lives.

If it becomes a part of every single day, it’s so much easier to keep it up. When something is only happening a couple of times a week, it’s easy for our brains to forget that it’s even supposed to be happening at all. I will be transparent and say that the last time I sat down and had a good session of writing was weeks ago. Because it’s not happening every day, it just doesn’t seem to happen at all. (This may also be because I’m the sort of person who has to go all in or it doesn’t happen). So, create a habit by committing to writing every day, even if it’s just for ten minutes some days. I know that personally no normal routines happen on weekends for me, I’m just in holiday mode. But if each structured day can have writing in it somewhere, that sticks for me. I’d say five out of seven days is a win.

Leave yourself something interesting to begin your writing session with.

I remember reading a quote one time about leaving yourself something to go off next time. I cannot remember the exact wording which is a shame, and cannot find it on Google again, but I promise it was a legit thing! If I come back to my writing (or even think about it), and it’s at a point where I have no inspiration, I’m a lot more likely to just not feel up to it. But if I know there’s an exciting scene waiting for me, I look forward to the writing session much more. Nothing like staring at a blank page with no idea what to write to discourage you and end a good writing streak. So set yourself up for success by leaving something intriguing, exciting, or enticing to write for next time.

Make a goal that will drive you forward.

I’ve been contemplating on dreams lately and how we all need to dream bigger. I’ve been so caught up in the past with discouragement and the thought that nothing I do can ever succeed. Set yourself a goal and then BELIEVE that it CAN happen! We all underestimate God when it comes to dreams! He’s given us book ideas, and the desire to write for a reason! Whether you’re a fewer big goals, or more little goals kind of person, find what inspires you, and work towards your next goal with HOPE!

Something I have not included in these tips is being accountable to someone. This is simply because I have never found this works for me. Perhaps I just haven’t found the right partner. Writing is a somewhat solitary process and to have someone always checking up on me just never happened. All the other writers in my life are so busy with their own works, and it’s something that needs constant remembering (not my forte). I do think this could be a great way to keep on track with your writing goals, and be encouraged at the same time.

Making time to write, and making that time actually happen is a challenge! Let everyone know down in the comments how you intend to make time this month, or year. Let’s be encouraged by each other.