NaNo Series: Finding Time to Write

As hectic and crazy as life is sometimes, it can be difficult to find time to sit down and write, especially if you have many other things ahead of writing on your priority list. This is a problem for many writers during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Whether you are writing a full-length novel or a short story, you will have to find time in between your day-to-day things if you ever want to get your work finished. If you plan ahead and find a system that works for you, you will be able to finish your story in no time.

Find Your Peak Time

Some people write better in the morning. Some people write better at night. Others write better in the middle of the day. It is all about when your creative juices are able to flow the most. By finding your peak writing time, you will be able to get more done in a shorter amount of time. Most people will find that there is a certain time of day that they can write more words than at other times. Find out when you write best to maximize your time and get more done.

Schedule in Your Writing Time

Life will always have other things that it can throw at you. There will always be another series on Netflix that you could watch, more homework to do or more chores around the house. If you find you are unable to sit down and write because you are always doing something else, schedule in your writing time as you would any other appointment.

Scheduling in an hour of writing will give you something to stick to without feeling restrained. If you mark in your schedule that you will write for only an hour and then move onto other things, you may find that you are less anxious about getting things finished and more willing to sit down and do some writing.

Actually Write

If you find time during the day to write, make sure you are actually writing. It can be difficult, especially if you have distractions. If you type up your writings, there are many internet distractions waiting for you once you turn on your computer, but you have to avoid them.

Also, opening up your story document isn't just enough. Make sure you actually write to get the ball rolling. It doesn't have to be A+ work since you can edit later. As long as you are writing, you are making progress!

What to Do If You Don't Have Time

If you have a schedule that is jam-packed with work, schoolwork, family and other things, you may have more difficulty finding time to write than most. For those busy people, it is important to utilize the tiny amounts of time during the day. If you have five extra minutes before you have to head out to work, sit down and write for those minutes. If you have 30 minutes while your baby is down for a nap, get a few minutes of writing in between doing chores. Stay up an extra 10 minutes before you go to bed. Wake up 10 minutes earlier. You may find that those few extra minutes will eventually add up.

Special thanks to silent hearts. and elixir for editing!