One of the biggest struggles writers face is finding the time to write what they want to write. In the midst of writing my first novel, I was working a full-time job in Boston with a nearly 4-hour commute, stocking shelves at a craft store on weekends, and writing for my local newspaper with what little free time remained (Massachusetts is expensive). Yet, I still managed to make the most out of the mere minutes I was granted a day. I’m here to tell you, despite your schedule, you, too, can become a writer. And what better way to tell you how than with a ham-fisted acronym.
Clock Management
Let’s face it. If you’re reading this blog, it’s not because you’re an internationally acclaimed author or a trust fund baby looking to fill your time with another hobby. It’s because, like me, you lead a hectic life with too many responsibilities and hardly any downtime. For most people, free hours are a scarce resource, so it’s important to seize the minutes. If you have a window of 15 minutes, do not hesitate to jot down a few words. Have a portable laptop? Write during your lunch break. Type a few lines in the Notes app on your phone if you’re on the subway, bus, or commuter rail. Writing a few sentences for every window you’re awarded doesn’t seem like a lot, but it all adds up. Progress is progress. Just get the words down; you can refine later.
Harden Your Resolve
I get it. You just got off your 10-hour shift, and the last thing you want to do is write. You’re mentally drained. Regardless, if you wait until you’re “in the mood” to write, you’ll be squandering what little free time you have. Try these techniques to break the habit of wasting your break:
Set a Timer: Have 30 minutes? Set a timer for 10 minutes. During these 10 minutes, write. Your mood may shift as your brain recognizes you’re engaging in something that brings you joy and fulfillment. If you’re still disinterested after the 10 minutes, try again next time.
Get an Accountability Partner: Share schedules with your accountability partner. Check in on each other as free time opens up.
Skip Ahead; Write That Pivotal Scene: I’ve often found myself wanting to get to a pivotal scene in the story—the one that’s been playing over and over in my head. Whether it’s a tragic character death or the climactic showdown, skip ahead and write that scene.
If you try to end your writing session in the middle of a juicy scene, it can also serve as motivation for the next time you find yourself a few free minutes.
Insist on a Daily Word Count
This is the rule that truly set me up for success. The key is to aim low. You want to keep your goal manageable so it doesn’t negatively impact your frame of mind. Curious at what I set my daily word count to? Two hundred and fifty words. That’s it; just 250 words. Two hundred and fifty words a day yields you a novel-length manuscript within a year. More importantly, don’t get downtrodden if you don’t meet your goal. Continuity is recoverable. If you miss one day, be sure to write an extra 42 words the remainder of the week to maintain your pace. And if you have a day where you greatly surpass your goal, reward yourself with a day off if needed.
Zero In
Your time is valuable, and you should treat it as the precious resource it is. That means dedicating your entire focus to writing when the time comes. I’m sure you’ve heard this advice before. Block access to the internet unless you need it for research purposes. Put the phone on silent. If you’re in a noisy environment, put on some music to drown out the sound (I recommend instrumental only, as I get distracted by lyrics when trying to write). The only way you’re going to get the most out of this time is to remove all distractions.
The words you write while on this time crunch may not be Pulitzer-worthy, but that’s what editing is for. And with editing, you can take this very same approach. The most valuable piece of advice I can impart is to not become discouraged. You will have off weeks, but they mean very little in the grand scheme of things, especially after you’re staring at your finished manuscript. If you wish to ask me more about my thoughts or wish to inquire about any of my services, don’t hesitate to reach out. Best of luck with your writing journey!