How organised are you?

Many people fail in their writing ambitions simply because they can’t get organised and make the time to write. People lead such busy lives that they often feel guilty about sitting down to write. There are so many other things demanding their time: family life, work, housework, shopping, gardening, cooking, DIY, socialising, holidaying, watching TV, social media and so on.

All important things of course, but if you wait until you've dealt with all the usual chores and activities before you give yourself permission to indulge in your passion for writing, you will never start. So, don’t let writing be bottom of your list of priorities.

Just as you allot time for your work, family life and social life, allocate some specific time every day to write, even if it’s only half an hour or less; even if it’s just a description of something you see around you. It doesn’t matter what you write, just so long as you write.

Writing regularly will improve your skills and help you to feel like a writer. Plus, it shows others around you how committed you are and so they will hopefully respect your ambitions. Although I say that slightly ‘tongue in cheek’.

Thinking back to when my three children were small, I would have my typewriter, papers and ‘how-to’ books scattered around the living room table. (How that table wobbled and rattled as my fingers tip-tapped away.)

I’d perhaps get five minutes at a time without an interruption, in between breaking up squabbles over toys, changing nappies, hanging out the washing and preparing meals. At dinner time, the typewriter and papers would be pushed to the middle of the table, so we ate around the clutter. The point is, no matter how busy you are, make time for your writing.

Make time for yourself

Set yourself a specific time which is your writing time and stick to it. If you're thinking there aren't enough hours in the day as it is, then make time. Try getting up an hour earlier or go to bed an hour later. Allocate this time specifically for writing.

Analyse your days. Create a 24-hour timetable and see where you have the odd half hour spare. Could you spend those few minutes writing? If you take a coffee break or lunchbreak at work, why not find a quiet place to sit and write?

We all enjoy chilling in front of the TV, but wouldn’t you be better off filling that time writing your own stories? Of course, it's nice to relax with the family but would they really mind if you had a laptop or notebook on your lap and a pen in your hand?

Discover your favourite ‘thinking place’. Possibly, that might be when you’re driving or out walking. When I first started writing I seemed to have my best ideas when doing the ironing. So, a notepad on the ironing board was a necessity. And there was always lots of ironing to do! But I would get so wrapped up in my thoughts as I ironed away, I would iron absolutely everything – even socks and pants. But don't panic, you don't have to like ironing to be a writer.

If you analyse your day, you will, I'm sure, find a little pocket of free time to call your very own 'writing time'. Once you have set aside a specific time for writing, make that a priority. When you sit down to write – write. (Nappies and squabbles permitting!)

Find time to read

If you can find time to read your favourite magazines, newspapers and novels, why not add ‘how-to’ books and writing magazines to your home library? Invest in a good supply of ‘how to write’ books which you can dip in and out of regularly. Whether it’s how to write magazine articles, how to write romantic fiction, how to write short stories, how to write for children. Download magazine contributor’s guidelines – anything in fact that increases your knowledge about the world of writing.

Libraries usually have a good stock of books on writing. If you’ve a birthday coming up or at Christmas when you’re asked what you’d like, why not an annual subscription to your favourite writing magazine?

When reading fictional novels, as well as enjoying them, also read with the aim of learning from them. Look at the vocabulary; the sentence structure; the dialogue, the description. If a particular scene moved you to laughter or tears or made the hairs on the back of your neck prickle, read it over again and see if you can analyse how the author created this effect.

Writing exercise

Set a timer for 5 minutes. Randomly pick a word from a book and free write for 5 minutes making sure you include that word. After 5 minutes randomly choose another word and re-set the timer. Continue your train of thought with the writing, but now include the second word. Repeat with a third word.

I think you will surprise yourself. Put it aside and polish it later.

Find more writing tips, advice and writing exercise ideas in my book, Become a Writer - a step by step guide.  https://amzn.to/2un61ju