How to Honor Your Writing Time

(Spoiler: If you don’t, no one else will.)

You are busy. You are staring at a planner filed with pick-ups, drop-offs, dentist appointments, curriculum nights, and that lunch with a friend that sounded good at the time, but right now sounds like too much. Oh yeah, and you’re trying to edit your latest book, start that new blog series you’re writing, and fill in the blank here. Have you been struggling to “fit in” writing time as your schedule keeps adding demand upon demand. How do you manage your ZOOM fatigue and stay at your desk so you can KEEP WRITING.

PUT IT ON THE CALENDAR

Every season brings new energy, new experiences, new timelines, and new schedules. Make sure you are paying attention to the reality of your calendar. Sometimes blocking off an hour to write seems like it should be easy enough to do, but in actuality, it isn’t. Maybe start planning in 30 minute increments weekly instead and adding more as you get ahold of your schedule. Writing down your intention in your planner is one thing. Sitting at the desk is another. So whenever you find yourself setting up. a boundary preserving your writing time, make sure you celebrate it . Even in some small way. I suggest that you honor it by adding more 30 minute blocks as you see openings that work. Remember, you will those blocks will change as the seasons pass, and that’s okay.

SEND A SMOKE SIGNAL

The people around you cannot read your mind. There. I said it. If you want to honor your writing time, you must elicit help from those who love you. You must learn to say things like, “Can you watch the kids for an hour while I shut the door behind. me and write. Alone.” “Can you handle dinner every Thursday while I use the time to write.” Don’t forget the most important thing you can say out loud to your support team is, “My writing is important to me.” Those who love you, will want to support you. Period. Remember, you would support them in their creative endeavors. If your situation is more complicated, try finding a place that can serve double duty. A library may offer story times, a computer corner, or a toy shelf, located next to a table where you can set up your kit and write.

VISUAL AIDS

I am a visual person. I frequently use words like “see” “watch” and “imagine” in my daily conversations. So it is no wonder that I need visual cues to remind me to get down to the business of writing as soon as I take my seat. I have photographs of my favorite authors, books on writing, and notebooks strewn all around my writing area. In her master class, Judy Blume spoke about the recipe box she has on her desk. It is filled with idea cards, observations, index cards, and other ephemera. They may be used in her current WIP or they may be saved for later. I love this idea. The box is a visual reminder filled with visual reminders to remind you that your writing is worth preserving.

SET THE SCENE

We are more likely to follow through with a ritual, if we set the scene for it. I am more likely to have a movie night at home if I have popcorn ready, a cozy blanket on the couch, and bonus points for a fire roaring in the fireplace. What are you doing to set the scene for your writing time? Do you have a designated spot for it to happen? Do you have a favorite pencil? A favorite pair of sweatpants that make you more comfortable when sitting at your desk? One writing teacher I had bought herself a pair of fingerless gloves, and whenever she put them on, she knew it was time to write, and her body and brain responded. Pavlov never ceases to amaze me.

ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS

My husband is a writer among other things. He is a firm believer in an online community called Focus Mate. You can set an appointment with another person, for an hour, or whatever time allotment you want, then you meet online via ZOOM/SKYPE, introduce yourself, and what you’re hoping to accomplish in that hour, then you set the timer, and sit down and accomplish it. Most of us are obligers as writer Gretchen Rubin found in her research for her book, The Four Tendencies. We are more likely to keep a promise to ourselves if someone else is counting on our presence too. Get out there and find your partner in crime!

SHUT THE DOOR

Gosh, that sounds easy doesn’t it. But if you're a mom you know that you haven't been to the bathroom by yourself in years. Maybe you could get a sign for your door that says: Do not disturb! Mom's Writing! (That may make a great gift. Just saying.) More importantly, you need to start training your family to respect the closed door. You need to tell them how important writing is to you and that without it, you're not yourself. When you are writing with the door closed, you're actually modeling what it is to take the time to do the things that are important to you. You are asking your children to respect you and your dreams, so that when they become adults with creative endeavors, deadlines, or things that are important to them, you have modeled for them how to do it. That they have to right to the the time it takes to accomplish something meaningful. That is the real gift.

HOW DID YOU DO?

So how did you do? Did you take the time to ask for the support you needed? Did you set up a designated space or time so that your creative energy could come through you and lead you somewhere new and fun? Did you set up your calendar to include the things that make your mind happy as well as your life happy? Remember, you need to take yourself seriously. You need to take your adventure in writing seriously. If you don't, no one else will. Keep going and KEEP WRITING.