I have a Writing Space, now what about Writing Time?
I’ve gone through a lot of work to create a great writing space in my home office in the past year. Just this morning, I tackled one last cluttered spot (okay, I could tackle the closet but for now I’m just keeping the door closed) and have a clutter-free space in which to write. It feels great to have a great physical writing space but what I really need is more time to write!
Right now, most of my writing is either event or deadline driven. My event driven writing is largely on my Idyllwild blog and stems from something happening, typically a fabulous bike ride of some sort. After said ride I feel like I have to write about what happened so I push aside other tasks and make my way to my office to write and publish the blog post. My deadline driven writing comes from assigned or pitched articles or editing work I’m doing for people. Typically, I don’t make time for this work until the deadline is right around the corner then I push everything else off of my calendar and hurry to get the work done on time.
As for my writing that isn’t event or deadline driven, well, I haven’t been doing much of that. I’ll say I’m going to finish an essay and then I let it sit for weeks. Months. Even years. I will set deadlines for myself but not keep them. I’ve been floundering as to what my writing goals are and it seems like I need either an event or a deadline from a client or an editor to get me into writing mode.
I want to change this. I want to actually finish essays I’ve started and I want to write just because I like writing and not necessarily because I have an end product in mind.
I’ve gone through the process of creating a physical space for myself and I’m happy with that. I need to formulate specific writing goals and will get that done. But right now it’s time for me to simply block out some writing time for myself and start writing.
My friend, the writer Joy Riggs, wrote about creating writing space in her home and on her calendar some time ago and I’m following suit. I’m blocking out time on my calendar to write and I’m taking it seriously as though I’m actually clocking in at work like I do at my part-time job where I clock in at 8:30 a.m. two mornings a week. In fact, I’m writing this blog post during one of my blocked out writing times. I think I’m off to a good start!
What do you do to make sure you have time to write? Do you write at the same time each day? How long do you write in one sitting? Do you save your writing time for the weekend? Fit in writing after work or early in the morning?
Please share your writing time tips if you feel so inclined.
Wow, Myrna! That looks fantastic! So clean and pretty! Now that all three kids are in school, I try to block out two hours after drop-off. I turn off my wireless. Turn my phone to “do not disturb.” Set the alarm for two hours. But the writing space came first. It’s actually a big writing desk/closet (I’m sure there’s an official name for it) that belongs to Mary Hill that she graciously let me borrow for the time being. A dedicated writing space changed everything and now my writing feels more focused. Let us know how it goes!
Janine – Thanks for sharing what you are doing to get writing time. I like the idea of turning off the wireless and phone. Those two things are my biggest distractions to staying focused on my writing. Setting an alarm is also a good idea and two hours sounds divine! I’ll keep you posted on what works for me.