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Do you ever find you just don't have time to write?
I've been suffering a writing problem for the last few weeks and it's to do with time. I just don't seem to have any time. I try my hardest to manage my day so that I can at least have 2 hours in the evening to read back over what I've previously written and add more but it doesn't happen like that. Little problems crop up or I think that I could just work for a little while on a project from work and it cuts into my writing time.
Even on my days off time seems to fly by so quickly. I never seem to get the chance to sit down, open up the novel I am writing and dedicate a reasonable amount of time to it. Does anyone else sometimes feel like they have this problem? Sometimes I find it hard to believe that there are still 24 hours in a day because it feels much less. I don't blame my time on the Internet for this lack of time for writing because the Internet has always been a large part of my life and previously I could always write even when attending to my Internet duties.
I'm in no hurry to finish this novel and I knew when I started writing it that I couldn't spend more than a couple of hours a day on it but I'm not even getting that.
Anyway, just felt like a little rant about my lack of time and wondered if anyone else has gone through this or is going through it.
Even on my days off time seems to fly by so quickly. I never seem to get the chance to sit down, open up the novel I am writing and dedicate a reasonable amount of time to it. Does anyone else sometimes feel like they have this problem? Sometimes I find it hard to believe that there are still 24 hours in a day because it feels much less. I don't blame my time on the Internet for this lack of time for writing because the Internet has always been a large part of my life and previously I could always write even when attending to my Internet duties.
I'm in no hurry to finish this novel and I knew when I started writing it that I couldn't spend more than a couple of hours a day on it but I'm not even getting that.
Anyway, just felt like a little rant about my lack of time and wondered if anyone else has gone through this or is going through it.
Comments
I shut a door and lock myself in a room, close my eyes and focus as hard as I can. Eventually it comes, but sometimes it takes an hour or so.
Writing is a discipline and the likes of you and I can only but endeavour to learn and strive towards mastering the discipline, which obviously includes improving our time management. It can be done if you're determined. However, sacrifices will have to be made and better personal organistaion is a must (says, Col, talking to himself as much as anyone else!)
I have to just pinch an hour here and there, but as a friend once said to me: 'A little a lot.'
So keep plugging away and you'll get there...eventually!
;)
Everyone is different, and some, like RichardS, can squeeze the work out eventually.
I also think women feel more guilt about grabbing that time.
Don't worry it's normal :)
((((()))))
Thanks for the replies. :)
My only suggestion to you is that you try to use dead time ie waiting for a bus, at the dentist, travelling on a train, etc rather than expecting big blocks of time in which to do the business. It's one of the main ways I manage, 10 mins here and there in between housework I have a notebook and every so often go jot down in it, then go back to my household chore. I do have some chunks of time that I could write but like Carol says, feel I should be doing something else, feel guilty. Why not try yourself, 10 mins here and there, you may find it grows into twenty, thirty mins after time, once you get going.
Good luck.
You already have an audience awaiting your masterpiece :)
A theme is developing here...
Like I said...'A little, a lot!'
;)
My sister uses this method, she'll have certain days for cleaning specific parts of the house and if anybody phoned she'd say she couldn't do this that or the other on that day because it was her day to clean the (whatever). Sounds boring I know, but she has a fantastically clean house of which I am really envious, she cooks wonderfully exciting meals and she has a good social life.
Sometimes, achieving what you want is all about being organised, making plans and sticking to them. I'm sure those of you with children, or other people's lives to organise, know exactly what I mean. Also, if you think of writing as sort of like being on an educational course. Theres a schedule of when to start, there is specific content to be covered, and there is a completion date.
Target time for a specific activity, in my sister's case, cleaning. In your case, your own writing, newsletter and housework. Arrange with yourself to write for whatever, 10 mins, or 45 mins, or two hours on a certain date - and most importantly, keep to it.
Helen - hope the 10 minute tip thing works for you.
I have real problems writing the moment. Husband has a big project which takes a lot of space and if he's at home he continually asks questions and fusses around.
I need at least a couple of days thinking and research on one subject to even start writing some rubbish to turn into better stuff. (Poetry!) It takes hours just sitting concentrating and getting into that space. I just don't get that time at the moment.
i also need a deadline to make me HAVE to get into that space even when it's possible. I've re-written one thing, no two... in the last two months. I've spent a lot of time here. Maybe it's time not to spend so much time here!
Everyone now seems to lead such busy lives, rushing here, there and everywhere and not going anywhere at all.
Sorry to hear about the ME Gina, and hope you manage to get some help and pain relief. I know several people who have suffered from this over the years, and it is not the easiest thing to have to live with.
Phil.
you may find this thread useful. :)
I'm hoping in the summer to get a whole lot of time to write. In the meantime i've bought a whole lot of new and secondhand books to read and just relax and read a book each night then read through old drafts tweaking mistakes.
Yes, just tried and it's rolling the page. Perhaps he can copy and paste it.
hopefully, off using her time, to write.
This is mine.
A quiet room, no tv nor radio chatter,
Comfy clothes and a mug of coffee.
Word is on, the Internet cannot be.
Diary.doc is the first I open, to whine about writing
Or make up recipes for tea.
Naturally I have a thought, then am inspired to open my novel
Or current piece I'm writing.
If I only have an hour or two,
There's bugger all except research I can do.
For me, my writing routine, means a pre-9am start
And a whole day ahead.
I switch the tv on every 45 minutes for a 10 minute reward
Or stick my head in the fridge for fruit or chocolate.
Repeat until about 3/4 pm where I then do
All the other things I'm expected to do.
Very good poem and very good you. Well done.
Sticking head in fridge is no good for waistline.
Sticking head in gas oven no good for lifeline.
;)
Stan - very astute comments. Unless you're sticking your head in the fridge for choc, or the oven to check the roast chicken's ready ;)
Freudian slip there; I meant fruit, obviously! Would never have that Weightwatchers choc rubbish in my fridge!