10 Ways to find Time to Write



Think you have no time to write? I'm finding some of these tactics helpful to get me through writing MY ZOMBIE DOG.

1. LOVE your WIP. Seriously, this is the best way to find time to write, if you can't wait to get back to it, you think about it all day long, then you'll find a way.
2. PRIORITISE. Stop thinking you need to find 'spare' time to write. There is no spare time, everyday only has the same 24 hrs. Start deciding to write before you take on daily chores.
3. MORE HOURS. There's the get up early or stay up late method. Even if it's just 30 minutes and you get a couple of hundred words in, it's a start to get you motivated.
4. NOTEBOOKS. Take one with you everywhere, you'll be amazed how many words will add up when you add a few on the bus, waiting in line at the supermarket or sitting in the pub waiting for your mate to get back from the bar.
5. DON'T COMPARE. If you start focusing on how many words other writers get in, you'll feel disappointed.
6. MINIMUM LIMITS. Sometimes I set a time I'll be on a break and I'll say, ok, just have to get ONE sentence in, then leave it. Of course once you get that one sentence, you'll be motivated to write more.
7. REWARDS. I've done this before where I want a book on writing or to attend a workshop. I'll set myself a wordcount I have to reach before I'm allowed to purchase/book it. I think everyone should have a nice big reward for finishing a draft. That's a big deal!
8. TURN OFF the Internet. I could be writing now.
9. Write BETWEEN tasks. I have a 20 minute  cleaning routine. The whole family runs around madly cleaning for 20 minutes. From now on, I'll extend that routine to 10 minutes writing, 20 cleaning, then 10 writing. Once it becomes part of the routine, it'll have to be done (those are the rules).
10. SHORT SPRINTS. Even if it's 5 minutes. If you can sneak in ten of those a day, you'll find you write faster and more productively if you know you don't have much time.

How's your writing coming? I've been squeezing in time in my lunch breaks to write, Zane has now found the smelly undead dog back in his room, after burying it yesterday. And it seems to like him.