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