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 blog, Twitter and Facebook.