Making Time to Write

Making Time to Write Last someone called me the 'Queen of Procrastination' and I thought 'ME? The queen of writing how not to procrastinate articles? No WAY. Heck, I'm even writing a new article on time saving tactics.' Then of course that lead to… 'Oh yeah - I suppose I should do that, eh?' So today, even though I worked extra time at my day job I pulled all of my notes together and decided to actually try using them. Guess what? You're reading the article so they must have worked! First off, prioritize. Figure out what is really important and what can wait until later. Housework can usually wait a bit. Or better yet, get your hubby or kids to help do some of the chores. Even the youngest kids (well not youngest like as in tiny babies) can clean up their own toys. (Make it fun a race or something and give them a reward for doing it - even if it's a big hug). Set up a regular writing schedule. Keep it realistic and don't set out three hours every day if you know you'll only have one. Stick to your schedule even if it means you leave some dirty dishes in the sink. If the children are bugging for you to play with them set a timer. Tell them if they give you till the buzzer goes off to write you'll stop and do something special with them. While the timer is on give them a movie to watch or set up a little 'work station for them' a child's computer, or some craft things or play dough - that way they're still near by while you write and they feel like they're working too. Get snacks and lunches ready in the morning at the same time you're making breakfast so they're easy to heat up or hand out at the time they're needed. Clean kitchen while you cook or the bathroom while you bathe the children. Keep a notepad with you at all times and take notes while you're doing other things so when you actually get time to sit down at the computer you're ready to write and know where you're going. Remove the games from your computer or write where you CANNOT get online. Writers boards, Live Journal and other blogs as well as email lists are fantastic but not if you have to check all the time and 'forget' to write. Write in smaller chunks of time if you have to instead of going days without writing at all. Keep everything you need to write with close at hand so you're not running all over the place to get them. If you work outside the home try to work in a place where the commute isn't long (if possible). If you can't listen to books on tapes to 'catch' up on reading time. Print off chapters and revise during lunch hour. Or write during lunch hour. Keep a notepad or a small recorder to take notes during a commute. But mostly just get your butt in the chair and do it.