By Mariah Prouse
Alright, so let’s play a game. Give yourself a point for each of the things you have to deal with in your everyday life from the list below:
1- Job: full or part time
2- School: full or part time
3- Kid(s) and/or Pet(s)
4- Chores: Errands, cooking, laundry…do I need to go on?
Now, I am assuming you have at least one of the above. For many of you, probably more.
And maybe it is also an assumption that most of you are not a full time writer, and that is the reality for many of us. Even many published authors have to have another job to make ends meet.
I also doubt you are relaxing your day away in a castle, with absolutely no responsibilities and someone doing everything for you. If you are, please tell me where to sign up!
Personally, I have three of the above responsibilities. The question I get whenever anyone hears I write books, or wrote 50,000 words in a month, or….is: “When do you find the time?” Of course that’s usually after the dreaded, “What is your book about?” response.
I can go ahead and talk your ear off on how supportive my significant other is (get one of the supportive one’s people, they really are great), or how much my kids are my cheerleaders…but when it comes down to it, life has a way of getting in the WAY.
Finding the time isn’t an option really—it is making the time! Writing has turned into a part of my self care routine. Some need to get a pedicure, or maybe go for a walk, I need a good book, or my notebook and laptop.
So here are a few ways to balance real life with writing:
1. Put aside time for your writing:
No, it doesn’t need to be hours each day. Maybe it’s only a few days a week. Carving out a portion of time that is scheduled for writing makes it a priority though which can turn it into a habit.
2. Set realistic goals:
Assuming you can finish an entire novel in a month is probably not feasible if you have any other outside responsibilities. Sleep is still necessary—as is eating. So instead, set simple to reach goals that won’t stress yourself out. Writing a chapter in a week, editing a few pages a day, spending an hour writing, can all be feasible goals that won’t cause you to bang your head against the desk.
3. Make your ‘to do’ list:
Now this might not work for everyone. Some get overwhelmed by the sight of a to do list and if that is the case, then skip this one and go to number four! No need to add some extra stress in your life. But for some, having a messy house, or the laundry piling up might detour your writing. This also goes back to setting realistic goals. Make that ‘to do’ list, pick one or two to get done and give yourself a reward by allowing yourself to write for a certain amount of time.
4. Write where you can:
Doesn’t need to be at a specific location. Writing can happen at random moments. For example, I have stayed in my parked car before and wrote out a scene in my notes on my phone. Come on, you know you have an extra notebook crammed somewhere (because we all have them) that can be in your car or with you at all times. Even if you write out a few sentences for an idea—that is writing!
5. Find a writing group:
I know, we have written about this and the importance of a writing community. Go back to our post on finding a writing community to learn how to find your people! A writing group will allow you to not only find support from like-minded people, but also motivate you to get that book written!
6. Realize you cannot do it all!:
One of my favorite analogies comes from author Nora Roberts in a Q&A with author Jennifer Lynn Barnes. When Roberts was asked how she juggles it all she said the following: “The key to juggling is to know that some of the balls you have in the air are made of plastic and some are made of glass. If you drop a plastic ball, it bounces, no harm done. If you drop a glass ball, it shatters, so you have to know which balls are glass and which are plastic and prioritize catching the glass ones.”
Then to clarify further, Roberts stated she was talking about juggling fifty-five balls. The balls don’t represent family or work. There are separate balls for everything that goes into each category. By prioritizing the balls that are glass—kids, dinner, deadlines—and not the ones that are plastic—volunteering for that project, keeping your email inbox at zero, that is important. Dropping a ball or two a day is unavoidable. But catching the glass ones before they hit the floor means letting the plastic ones go.”
If you want to read in more on the above, click below:
All in all, writing should be enjoyable—not a chore. Don’t be hard on yourself if it doesn’t happen every day or if you have other priorities that take over.
In closing, enjoy the process! Keep on writing. There is no timeline to finish a project, only your own, so take care of yourself!
Secret Writers Guild 