Finding the Time...

This post is about finding the time to write when the real world is bearing down around you. The fact is unless you are a bestselling author you probably have a real life with a few moments of author-hood (aspiring or not) sprinkled in amongst it. A job, a family, responsibilities of one sort or another that demand the majority of your attention.

Frankly, no matter when the urge to write hits you, real life usually gets in the way. You most likely have at least a few things to do before you can actually sit down at your computer and by then ...who knows? The muse might have left you in the dust. Or by the time those few moment of blissful peace and quiet finally do emerge from your chaotic life, you're so exhausted you can barely keep your eyes open. (Trust me - this aggravates me to no end.)

Take heart, it happens to the best of us. Heck even the best selling authors aren't always able to write when they want to.

I have two pieces of advice. First - everyone deserves some time to themselves. If the decision is between folding the laundry and having an hour to write. Take the time to write. The laundry will always be there (trust me).

Secondly - if the real life responsibilities take precedent and the muse strikes take notes. You might not be able to fully delve into the scene the way you want to but if the line of dialogue that's been escaping you or the image of that climatic battle scene you've been dreading finally comes - grab your writing notebook* or a scrap piece of paper and get it down. Fast! You don't want to lose those words.

I fully believe epiphanies are things that should be savored and cherished. After all, they were sent you of a reason. Fate, God, angels, muses, whoever....someone thought you needed those words exactly the way they came to you.

In the end, you find the time. You carve out a moment for yourself to do what you love. For me that's writing. I want to be an author. I want to be published and to do that I have to get the words down on the page. So I push myself to make the time because that's my dream.

But until then...


*A Writing Notebook is an absolute necessity!! Keep one in your car or your purse or in your nightstand or any other place you might be when the moment strikes. Trust me you will be very grateful to have it within reach!