Wednesday, September 7, 2016

#IWSG: Time for writing


How do you find the time to write in your busy day? 

That is the $64,000 question, isn't it? The truth is that I don't "find the time." I FIGHT for it. I wrest it from the jaws of dangerous beasts with my bare hands. I hack it from the calendar with a machete. I steal it, then run away and gobble it up in secret.

Well, maybe it's not that dramatic, but it is a struggle. I have a day job, a family, a husband, a dog, a house…all things that covet and demand my time and attention. They're all also things I love and value, that I *want* to spend time on and with, unlike the housework and grocery shopping, which I'm happy to push aside for writing.

But I do have a daily writing habit (I'm a Magic Spreadsheet devotee) and it HAS made a huge difference in my productivity and happiness. So, here's how I got there:

1. Household meeting: If you share your living space with others humans, you're going to need to have a direct talk about "writing time." At La Casa Bryant, this amounted to a family meeting where I announced my intentions to write every day and told them I would need support in the form of "alone time" to do that. I was tired of packing up and going to coffee shops and libraries and wanted to do my writing at home.

We planned together to figure out when would be the most workable time for us. That ended up being 8:30 at night at first, with my husband and older daughter agreeing to deal with the younger daughter's needs if any arose after her 8:00 bedtime. It wasn't ideal for me, as I was often physically and mentally weary by then, but it was better than nothing and I started writing at least 250 words a day (now I'm up to 800ish on school days and 2000 on non-school days most of the time).

Disclaimer: Not my actual sink, though it is sometimes this bad. 

2. Work space: 
I wanted to be able to write at home, but that was hard at first. At home, you have to discipline yourself to ignore all the other pulls of home. I'm pretty good at writing among chaos and noise of certain sorts, so it works for me most of the time, and when it doesn't, I shut myself in the bedroom where I can close the door on everyone else. There's no home office space available for me without moving, so I adapted.

For a while, I had to go out. But I had less control of my environment in coffeeshops and libraries and, even with headphones, had interruptions and pulls of my attention that cost me writing time. After all, I can't insist that other coffee shop patrons talk more quietly or sit further away like I can with my family. Plus I had to spend time getting there and back instead of just popping open the laptop and going.

3. Mental space: This part was hard for me. I'm a mom and a middle school teacher, so generally that means my own needs and wants are very very last on the list of priorities. So, step one for me was to convince myself that it was okay to insist on having this time. I couldn't utilize my writing time well if my head was full of guilt and to-do lists, so I had to learn to set that aside, at least for an hour at a time.

Now I know I'm a better wife and mother when I get my writing time because I get that release and don't resent my family for keeping me from it. In fact, if I'm cranky, they might recommend that I "go write for a while."



4. Sacrifices: There are only so many hours in the day. So, if you're going to add regular writing time, you probably have to give something up. For me, that was television. I don't like it that much anyway, so it wasn't too painful. My own stories do more for my soul, even while they are beating me up in the process. I save up television time for summer vacation and then Netflix to my heart's content (I had almost eight weeks this summer--it's not the nice long break it used to be when I started teaching, but I'm still glad to have it). But that gave me back 1-2 hours a day to use in other ways. You'd be surprised what I can do with 1-2 hours a day.

So, there's my story. What's yours? How do you arrange your life to leave room for writing or other creative pursuits?
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If you're not already following #IWSG (Insecure Writer's Support Group), you should really check it out. The monthly blog hop is a panoply of insight into the writing life at all stages of hobby and career. Search the hashtag in your favorite social media venue and you'll find something interesting on the first Wednesday of every month.

21 comments:

  1. I have the same problems working at libraries or coffee houses. Unless I can find a table/desk in a corner that's facing away from everyone and everything, I don't get that much done.

    Fortunately, I do have writing space in my house with a door that closes, (and no children waiting on the other side...) so I generally work at home.

    Hope the Magic Spreadsheet is still working out for you!

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    1. I now keep a word count with Magic Spreadsheet AND a project-divided count with Jamie Raintree's spreadsheet. Keeping a chain going has been HUGELY motivating for me, and I've now written (at least 250 words) for more than 1,000 days in a row.

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  2. That family meeting sounds like just what you needed. When everyone in the family is on board, it can make your writing life much easier. I agree about writing in coffeeshops, etc. Just driving there takes time away from writing. Congrats on making time to write.

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    1. We're "family meeting" sorts of people--always striving to balance the needs of all the Bryants and help each other. So, yeah, it was just right.

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  3. Sounds tough, but it looks like you've got it under control. :-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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    1. It's tough for everyone in different ways, I think. But, it's working well for us most days now.

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  4. Wow, those are great tips, Samantha. Congrats on being so committed! Writing is my day job, so the trickiest part is having time for my "own" fiction writing. For me, deadlines are key. If there's no external motivation, I'll create it.

    And I must admit, I don't sleep much. I also never watch TV.

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    1. Yes. I set deadlines for myself if the world isn't doing it for me. Otherwise, I'd languish and pick at a project too long.

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    2. Totally agree here! So far, the only deadline I've been able to really obey, though, is the blog-post schedule. It's hard to set your own, and then believe in them.

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    3. Yeah. It's too easy to grant yourself an out. I think that's why blog deadlines worked well for me. There were at least some theoretical readers out there expecting me to produce my weekly post.

      Same with my critique group: had to have *something* for them when my turn came up.

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  5. This is my first time here. I've joined your blog.
    I'm also physically and mentally tired at night. I'm a morning person. Personal deadlines are important, but unfortunately, I will still poke at some projects. Thanks for the tips.

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    1. Thanks for coming by and for the follow! Sometimes poking at a project is the right pace--your brain is working behind the scenes.

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  6. I think you've got some fantastic advice there - I'm going to have to borrow a few tips from you I think, if I want to get serious about writing again. I'm also cranky when I don't write for a while. I used to write in coffee shops at uni, and while I like the idea, I agree with you about the time/noise levels - and that's not including all the money I tend to spend too! Wishing you all the best with your writing!

    Rachel x
    September IWSG co-host

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    1. I still like writing in coffee shops, and because I'm naturally cheap, I find I can discipline myself to write longer: "You paid $3 for the right to sit here, so you are going to work hard for at least an hour before you quit!"

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  7. I really like how you discussed this with your family and made your writing a priority.
    I've also given up TV pretty much--except as an occasional treat when I've finished my writing for the day.
    I could relate to so much of what you said--I don't have an office easier--so I'm either on the living room couch or my bedroom. I can't write in coffee shops either--too many distractions!
    Thank you for all the great ideas--but most of all the inspiration to make my writing a priority!

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  8. Excellent post, and excellent job of setting up your writing time. I'm always in awe of people who can be that disciplined (I often SAY I'm going to work in the evenings, but in reality usually end up reading, at best. At worst, it's solitaire on the computer).

    I also loved your opening paragraph :D Not to mention that "to-do list" meme!
    --Rebecca
    My IWSG Post

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    1. Thanks, Rebecca :-) I was proud of that first paragraph, so it's nice to have someone notice it!

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  9. Writing in coffee shops sounds so romantic, but it can be hit or miss. Other people's conversations and the general hustle and bustle can be distracting. When my house is too full of people, I have booked a study room at my local library for a few hours. They are quiet and distraction free.

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    1. Oh, good idea! I often go to the library, but I hadn't thought about study carrels.

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  10. I am lucky. I have a lovely, quiet little room overlooking an old cemetery. Does that mean I write distraction-free? Hahahaha!

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