CornerScribe

Managing Your Writing Time

If you’re like me, you often find yourself feeling as if you have little time to write. What do you do to "steal" writing time?

• Write anywhere, any time. Don’t feel that you have to have a block of time set aside to work. Can you manage 10-15 minutes over lunch? Maybe a few minutes alone before you leave for work? If you practice making use of that time, you’ll find it easier and easier to be productive in short bursts of writing.
• When you do have a longer period of time, use it wisely. Tackle more difficult scenes first and then use any remaining time for simpler tasks.
• Try to make a list of things you need to research and tackle all your research at once. Don’t research while writing! Skip that section or make your best guess, and then make a note that you need to do a fact check later.
• Allow yourself to write in different ways, in different places, at different times, etc. Don’t assume that you always have to use your laptop, or your notebook, or write only in the mornings, and so on. Try to keep an open mind and try new things. You’ll get more writing time, and a boost to your creativity as well.
• Make writing a habit. Promise yourself that you’ll write each day, even if it’s only for five minutes. The simple act of sitting down to write will reinforce the writing habit. When you do have more time, you’ll be able to put it to more effective use.

I hope that some of the techniques I use will help you as well.  Happy writing!