How do you make time to write?

United States
March 18, 2010 5:34pm CST
Those of us who love writing can always make time for it. I've heard lots of people say that they don't have time to write because they have a full-time job, they're a full-time student, or that they have kids, but you can make time for the things you love. I'm a full-time film student and I often have to spend all day at school doing shooting projects or editing projects. I'm also an avid reader who keeps up a reading pace of roughtly 2-3 books per week. I make time to write whenever I can. Sometimes I'll be writing stories in my notebooks interspersed between my notes while I'm listening to a lecture in class. I cut out things I don't need. I don't watch television much anymore (Just Lost every tuesday). Internet time and mylot (sorry mylot) is the next to go. So how do you make time?
14 responses
@inkling (84)
• United States
19 Mar 10
I feel the need to respond to your discussion even though it's not an exact response to your question about making time. I have been writing for many years now,(mostly poetry), with some success in that arena and it has been one of the joys of my life to do so. I guess you could call me an "inspired writer", in that I usually write furiously when the inspiration is upon me. As with most people like me, I have also suffered some frustrating dry spells when nothing of merit seems to flow. I actually feel a bit jealous after reading all of these wonderful responses from people with busy lives who still are able to find the time to write. In my case, I so want and need to get back to my passion, but the muse is just not with me. I have not been able to write more than a few words of poetry lately, and none worth mentioning at all. This is not the first time. I couldn't write for two years after I lost my daughter Heather a few years ago. I suppose it's the same now, having lost my other daughter April, this past October to cancer. I surely would love to write again and I do hope I will come happily back to my world of the written word soon. I miss it so---- I would appreciate any input by those who might have experienced similar loss of inspiration. Is it normal? Will it end? Anyway, congratulations to all of you who can and do write often. It gives me hope.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Mar 10
Yes, it is normal to loss inspiration, especially after losing someone so close to you. Writer's aren't machines. Most of us write what we feel when we feel it, and sometimes we lose that ability for awhile when we're feeling down. Most of the time and for most people, it does end. I'm very sorry for your loss, and I hope you can find the inspiration to start writing again. Thanks for your response, Inkling.
@tomitomi (5429)
• Singapore
19 Mar 10
hi allyoftherain, myLotting is totally out when i work. otherwise its anytime between rise and sleep.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
19 Mar 10
Hi Allyoftherain, I dont watch TV either. That frees up a lot of time for other thing. Sometimes the problem is not having no time to write, the problem is having no mood to write. We are often quite tired by the time we reached home, that writing seemed quite a chore, rather than a relaxing and enjoyable activity.
1 person likes this
@mackiejp (374)
• Philippines
19 Mar 10
When you love doing the things you want to do, you have to allot time for it. Though a little time each day. I am a working mom, I have two kids but I see to it that my passion to do things I love to do will still be alive in me. I do writing at night when my kids are all asleep. While I am at work or taking care of my boys it is also my time to think of good stories to tell. I get all the subjects in my writing based on my day to day experiences. I don't have to give up any of the usual things I do everyday, it is about making a good strategy to do all the things fairly, like watching TV, I don't need to give up watching TV because I want to allot the time for writing, one material where you can create good stories are based on the movies you watch on TV. What I do is to place my PC near my TV set so I can take glimpse of my favorite TV series and at the same time working on my story.
1 person likes this
• Hong Kong
19 Mar 10
I don't make time on purpose. You just see a gap between busy times and you grasp that moment to write. I like to write fiction. My dream is to write an entire novel, though I never finished one. :D @allyoftherain, I really envy you being able to read 2-3 books per week. That's a lot of books if you keep up the habit! Do you read on the move? I want to, but it'll hurt your eyes...
@mikoiks2 (216)
• Indonesia
19 Mar 10
In fact many ways that we can do. For example, when we break the work or have little time to write. The time needed to write well does not require a long time. So, in my spare I think of work still to write something. Except, if we are lazy to write the result will also be nil. Take time to write also we will not be harmed.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Mar 10
I never seem to have as much time to write , or do other activities, as I'd like to. Right now I am looking at cutting back my work hours, to where I will work every weekend, but have Monday through Friday off. Working less hours will surely give me more time to balance my responsibilties along with the things I want to do. I'd like to be a lot more active on mylot than I've been, along with doing more creative writing. I don't want the time I spend wrint to feel like another chore that I have to get through!
• United States
18 Mar 10
Every now and again I try to have a weekend, or at least one day out of a weekend, devoted to writing. It's like a holiday for myself, where I can take my laptop or my notebook and find a cafe or a park and just hang out for hours, writing whatever my heart desires. Sometimes, if I really have an itch that can't wait for a fully devoted "writing day," I will go to the gym after work to clear my head and then go back to the office. It's actually quite peaceful when everyone's gone for the day and I can turn on some tunes and just write away!
1 person likes this
@chulce (1537)
• United States
22 Mar 10
There is actually a lot of time that many people don't realize that they have for writing. I actually am the type that grab at every minute that I can find. For me, I have a full-time job, am a parent and have a lot of other activities that I also enjoy doing. But, writing for me needs to come first. Mylot is a great place to practice your writing skills. Pick a subject and see how your knowledge is with it. If you are interested in it, do some research. I try to keep a note book and paper with me where ever I go. There are a lot of places and times, that you can write here are just a few: - waiting for the doctor - auto appointments, while you are having the oil changed - kids are practicing at a sport - waiting for the kids to get out of school. Yes, you may only get a few minutes to write at each of these, but still a few is better than none. It adds up after a while. So grab writing time where you can, use it to your advantage. Remember writing isn't just about the physical aspect, putting the words down, writing is also about the research, creating characters for stories, creating new ideas. Just like an appointment that you have to keep with your doctor, set yourself an appointment to write. If it is only for an hour a week. Make the appointment then keep it. Make a note to yourself, let your family know and only cancel the appointment should an emergency come up. Happy Writing!
@geniustiger (1694)
• Philippines
19 Mar 10
I try my ver best to have some time here on mylot. I'm so excited to read what the other mylotters commenting in my posts and answers. But I guess you are very good in budgeting your time. Even if you are a student still you have a very good management in time. You can still do many things out of your busy days. Keep it up allyoftherain! I can see that you are successful soon in your carreer! Yes we are same I enjoyed now here than television. Thanks for the mylot site .
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
19 Mar 10
For those of us who love to write, we will always make time for our passion. My day feels incomplete if I do not write anything, even if its just a mylot response. I have seen a lot of discussions here in mylot on how to earn through writing online, and I think the best answer should be that you have to love writing. Because if you, you will write and write, and the earnings will just come.
1 person likes this
@monkeylong (3139)
• Guangzhou, China
19 Mar 10
As far as I am concerned, I think I am a person who just like you want to read so much.I have read the writing all the time. I will just log in mylot to write and read as often as possible. but I prefer to read online or on my computer ,just do not want to read the book in my hand ,wihich may be a little heavy or big for me to put it in my hands. I have read a lot in my computer, which I can still enjoy a lot of fun. Have anic e day.
1 person likes this
21 Mar 10
I work full-time and have a family to look after so I don't get as much time as I would like for writing. However, there are three things that I do that help me get more writing done: 1. I always carry a notebook and pen with me so that wherever I am I can jot down snatches of writing. I have notebooks all over the house, even in the bathroom! Then I can quickly type it all up later. 2. I commute for one and a half hours a day. I drive to work so I take a dictaphone with me and put it on the dashboard in front of me. Other drivers must think I'm talking to myself but I'm recording stories, ideas and articles. 3. I usually (must admit, not always!) get up an hour earlier than everyone else in the house and write in peace and quiet before the hordes descend.
@umit_umit (1984)
• India
19 Mar 10
some time has to taken out if we continue for my lot community and should keep on writing something or the other!