Finding the Time to Write

I'm sure other authors, who haven't yet taken up writing full time, are having a similar problem to myself: I'm struggling to find time to write.

I am lucky. I have a particularly patient husband who gives me the time and space to write in the evenings, when the children have gone to bed. If I manage my time well, that way I have roughly 2 hours to write each night.

These two hours also consist of time spent with my husband, time keeping a personal diary, time where I do my day job (yup, in the evenings #teacherlife) and times where I go out to see my friends and generally be a grown up.

There are literally not enough hours in the day!

I am able to write most nights, even if it's just a few hundred words but I find my writing is disjointed and sometimes doesn't make sense if I have to stop-start writing in the middle of a scene.

So, with being a mum and having a full time job and having a husband and a social life, how do I fit everything in?

Here are my 3 tips:

1. Be kind to yourself

As much as you want to be, you're not actually superhuman. There is genuinely only so much that we

can do and fit into one day, so accept that you are not going to be able to do all the things all the time. When I go out with friends, I have to accept that this evening isn't going to be a writing evening. It's been difficult, but I've had to learn to let it go. I've had to learn to relax.

2. Write when you're not writing

As most writers do, I carry a notebook and pen with me everywhere, and I also commute to work. Sometimes, I sketch down some notes when I'm on the bus. It's not proper writing or sitting down quietly in a room alone, but it is getting the writing out my head.

If I'm not writing on the bus, I'm thinking about my story. What's going to happen next? Where is the story going? Yesterday, I was taking down the Christmas tree and a whole speech from my book came into my head. It's not the finished article but it will go in the book in some form.

3. Carve out a few minutes.

If you are truly swamped and unable to find time, this may be difficult. Are there a few minutes here and there where you could write quickly? I will try to use my time as best I can (not always easy) and jot down some notes while tea is in the oven or review my outline while I'm waiting for the bus. Little snippets like this aren't ideal, especially if you're like me and find your writing is disjointed when you keep coming back to it but if you're really struggling for time, this could be an idea for you.

Never Enough Time

Writing this blog post has taken time out of my writing this evening, but sometimes I need a break from my story to come back to it fresh. While I was on the bus this morning, I was planning out the scene I'm about to start writing so I have a good foundation to use going forward.

I hope these few times will help, especially the first one, and I wish you all the luck with your writing!