When you're starting out as a writer there is a good chance that it's not going to be your main job from the outset. You'll have other things that get in the way such as that pesky job that helps you pay your bills. Then, of course you have to socialize, account for trips away (whether it be for business or a family holiday) and generally show an interest in family life.
So does that leave your writing at the back of the pile? Not necessarily! I mentioned in a previous blog how I've started to make changes to help me write most days, whether it's productive or not. Getting yourself into the habit of writing is not easy. Luckily, my wife is very supportive and understands that this is something I have to do for myself and she's read the first excerpt and really enjoyed it, so I am relatively confident that I can ease writing into my way of life. For others, it may not be so easy. In the fear of sounding like a broken record, the key is time management. I can hear your moans and groans already. You probably thought I'd have a quick fix but the truth is... it quite simply doesn't exist. If you want to write, you have to work hard at it. Not just the writing itself but also in the preparation. Plan out when you're going to write, allot yourself some time... 8pm every weekday evening and 9am on a Sunday morning, just an hour each time. Even if you find yourself free-writing, planning out a story, developing a character, researching and taking notes... you are getting yourself into the habit. I've spoken about my strategy... my game plan... but part of that is getting into the rhythm of writing. You may have all of the ideas... all of the spiel... even the talent. But, if you haven't allowed yourself any time to put pen to paper, fingertips to keyboard then you're less likely to make swift progress. Hey, if I can do it... you can too. If you've got the passion and the drive then stick at it. Time management doesn't have to be a drag, though. Remember, you're doing this for yourself so enjoy the experience. Once you get the basics out of the way, they will come as second nature.
1 Comment
Nina
8/7/2017 03:16:08 pm
I write whenever I can. I was in the habit of writing every day but as you so rightly point out life does have a horrible habit of getting in the way. For me writing is a form of release, a place where I can scream and shout or cry, reminisce and conjure people and places from distant memories. Childhood holidays, dramas, heartbreak and laughter but it's just for me not public consumption. Nobody is bothered how I feel about the state of the world and the price of tomatoes but it makes me feel better and long after I'm gone my journals will be there and maybe, just maybe, someone might learn something that they didn't know.
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Hi, I'm Phil Williams. Welcome to my blog.
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