Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Finding Time to Write is a Myth

Edie here. I know you've already seen several posts by this talented writer. But I finally persuaded Henry McLaughlin to become a full-time member of The Write Conversation blogging team. I'm certain you'll be as encouraged and inspired by him as me!

A Time for Every Purpose
by Henry McLaughlin @Riverbendsagas

Many times, people come up to me and say they want to write a book but can’t find the time. Aspiring writers, people who are making an effort to write, often say the same thing.

Both groups cite full time jobs, church obligations, family responsibilities and activities that prevent or hinder them from pursuing their desire to write. These are all legitimate undertakings that must be accomplished if we’re to support ourselves, raise God-centered children and contribute to our faith communities and neighborhoods.

I want to share one insight I’ve gained over the years of pursuing this writing dream: You’ll never find the time to write. You make the time to write.
When I whined to my mentor, DiAnn Mills, that I couldn’t find the time to write, her simple, straight-forward advice: GET UP EARLIER. 

Not what I wanted to hear but it took root in my heart and God nurtured it. 

Okay, he nagged me. I started getting up at 4:00 a.m. to write. This gave me at least one-and-a-half hours of solid, productive writing time every morning before I went to my day job.

Jerry B. Jenkins wrote between 9:00 p.m. and midnight so as not to take time away from his family.

One of my close writing buddies negotiated with her children (she has 6) and husband for a certain amount of undisturbed writing time each week.

A soccer-mom friend uses soccer practice to write.

Need to make time to write? Take a couple of weeks and track your time. Make a simple chart that blocks out the hours of the day and then note what you’re doing during those hours. After two weeks, you’ll be able to identify at least five hours in your present schedule for writing without having to get up earlier or stay up later. Start with your television and internet time and go from there. Set a schedule, negotiate with your family, find a writing spot and do it.


And pray. If writing is the desire of your heart, God will give you the insight into how to make the time to live out His call, His plan, for you.

Now it's your turn. What creative ways have you found to make the time to write. Share them with us in the comments section below.

TWEETABLES

Finding time to #write is a myth - writers must MAKE time to write - via Henry McLaughlin @Riverbendsagas  (Click to Tweet)

Still searching for time to #write - You're looking in the wrong place - via Henry McLaughlin @Riverbensagas (Click to Tweet) 


Henry’s debut novel, Journey to Riverbend, won the 2009 Operation First Novel contest. He serves as Associate Director of North Texas Christian Writers. Henry edits novels, leads critique groups, and teaches at conferences and workshops. He enjoys mentoring and coaching individual writers. Connect with Henry on his blogTwitter and Facebook.


17 comments:

  1. What a joy to see you again, Henry--and how timely! I've been whining for years that I didn't have time to write the book of my heart. And in the past few weeks, God has compelled me to start getting up early again, just like I did with my previous four books.

    My thinking was that now I wasn't working a regular job, I shouldn't have to do that, that I should be able to have writing time during regular hours. But after trying for two years, it just wasn't happening. So just last week I promised my critique partners that I would--again--start getting up at the crack of DARK to write. Two years of whining and trying to "find" time has produced nothing. I look forward to getting my BIC again and getting to work. Thank you for the confirmation!

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  2. It's good to hear from you, Vonda. I like your line about getting up at the crack of DARK. Very much feels like that, even writing full time. He still has me getting up earlier than I would like but he knows my best writing time is early in the day. Blessings.

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  3. This was fantastic and encouraging. I am currently a 24/7 senior care giver for an Alzheimer's patient, in a new State. I'm trying to find time for me, make friends, and keep my insanity. Wait! Know what relieves my insanity? WRITING! I do carve out a little time here and there. It's what keeps me going. Thanks for the reminder to keep plugging along, keep making time for my passion and calling. BTW: Nice to meet you.

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    1. I'll pray God reveals the time He has in His plan for you to write.

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  4. Oh, Henry, you've never forgotten. Thank you, my friend. What a great post for those who want to write but who are struggling with finding time. Well done!

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    1. Of course, I've never forgotten. And I'm still getting up earlier than my body wants.

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  5. Welcome Henry. I am a new writer. This blog has been instrumental in helping me with this new calling God has for me. Thank you for the encouragement. I am going to schedule specific time to write. Even ADHD won't keep me from writing...squirrel. God keeps me focused. It is amazing how much gets written in just 1/2 an hour. That is amount of time I can stay focused in one sitting. To God be the glory.

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    1. Hi Cherrilynn. I'm glad you found this blog encouraging. I pray God continues to help you focus.

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  6. Being retired I thought I'd have more time to write, but my days just seemed to fly by with no extra time to write. I prayed asking for help to write for children. My answer was to put it on my calendar Monday-Friday. Now it's in my face when I check my calendar in the morning and I make the time to write.

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    1. Congratulations, Jann. Seize the time and don't let it go.

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  7. I'm still learning this truth. I was one of those whiners who could never find the time to write. Now, I'm finding those blocks of time as God reveals them. Thank you!

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    1. Keep it up, Terri. Despite all the distractions from the world, we are still the keepers of our time.

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  8. Hi Henry. I like your idea of tracking your time for two weeks and then make a chart. I just might try that. Thanks for the idea. Great post!

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    1. Hi Darlene. Thanks for stopping by. I hope the chart proves helpful.

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  9. Welcome, Henry! I almost reached for a third cup of coffee after reading what time your alarm sounds -- and I'm a morning person! ha... :) I continue to search for what works best for me but I thrive with structure so treating my writing time much like an appointment seems to do the trick. Thanks for sharing such great insights...I look forward to your future posts. (Thanks Edie!)

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    1. Hi Cathy. Now that I'm writing full time, I get to sleep in a little later but I'm still up by 5:00. I've found morning to be my most creative time so I try to cram as much writing time in before lunch as I can. Thanks for making me feel welcome.

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  10. Great post, Henry! Finding time to write can be difficult. At the moment, I work mostly at night after my kids are in asleep in bed because I'm a night owl and don't mind staying up late. Thanks for the encouraging words!

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