Editor’s Note: This is the second part of Mui Tsun's "So You Want to be a Writer?" article. You can find a link to part one of this article after the post.
Okay, now that you have freed up some time for writing, how do you make sure you use this time productively?
Establish a writing schedule
Writing is essentially a solitary activity. As a writer you need to be self-disciplined; nobody is going to make you sit down and write. In fact, your family and friends will be glad that you're not writing and are spending time with them. But to succeed as a writer, you must write. Having a writing schedule is an important step. If you don't schedule something, chances are it will get pushed to the bottom of your list and never get done.
Write every day if you can. Otherwise, aim to write on a regular basis: every two days, three times a week or whatever suits you. The important thing is to write regularly. The more you write regularly, the more your writing will flow.
Buy a wall calendar, highlight your writing time a week ahead and put it up where you can see it. If you're disciplined enough you can use a pocket or electronic diary, but make sure you do look at it and not just let it sit in the drawer. Stick to the plan the same way as you would other regular activities in your life. Don't make excuses for yourself.
If you can, write at the same time every day. Writing regularly at a specified time establishes a pattern, and is essential to building a schedule.
Pick a time to suit your lifestyle
If you want to write from midnight to two in the morning and get up at 10am, and it fits in with your lifestyle, then do it. Similarly you may want to go to bed at 9pm, get up at 4 in the morning and write until the children get out of bed.
Don't get distracted
Aim to do nothing but write during your scheduled writing time. Try not to get distracted by writing-related activities such as research, note-gathering or writing the outline. Do these things at some other time. Read the book for your research at bed time. If you find yourself spending all your scheduled writing time in preparatory work and never get down to the actual writing, then you need to take a look at why you're actually avoiding writing.
Prepare for writing (if you need to)
If you have a demanding full-time job, you may still be in work mode and find it hard to relax when you get home. In that case you may need to do something to help ease you into a more productive mood for writing. Call it a transition phase if you like. Try the following:
- Do some gentle exercise
- Have a shower or a warm bath
- Spend 10 minutes with your children
- Read a few pages of a book
- Listen to some relaxing music for 10 minutes
- Go for a short walk
- Enjoy a cup of tea in the garden
Don't over-do this bit though or you'll end up not writing.
Stick to the schedule no matter what
When it comes to your scheduled time to write, do it, even if your mind is completely blank and the last thing you want to do is sit down and write.
Don't worry about writing rubbish at first – even the greatest writers wrote rubbish sometime in their lives. Don't expect to create something worthy of publication each time. Even if you have only managed to produce garbage in a ten-minute slot, you have achieved something: you have written. As most writers know, beginning is the hardest part. Once you've started, it gets easier.
The bottom line is: don't spend too much time thinking about writing, write!
Be selfish
Put up a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on your door (if you write in a separate room), on your computer or on the back of your chair. Be selfish. Let your family know you are doing something for yourself for an hour or two, but you will emerge as the loving wife/mother or husband/father again in due course. Don't let guilt stop you from following your dreams.
Initially your family may ignore your sign, but don't give in the moment someone shouts: "Mum/dad, where's my … (fill in the blank)", or "Honey could you get me my (fill in the blank)". Be strict. Don't make exception unless the house is on fire. They will get used to your schedule after a few days.
Look ahead
At the end of each writing session, set yourself a goal for the next one. This can be:
- "I'll produce 500 words."
- "I'll write 3 pages."
- "I'll finish the first chapter."
Having a goal not only helps to motivate you, it will also minimize wasted time when you begin your next session.
No excuses
Don't use "I don't have time" as an excuse anymore. Remember, we tend to make time for something we really want to do. It all depends on how badly you want to become a writer; if your desire to write is strong enough, you will find the time.
Happy writing!
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