Finding Time to Write

29 Aug

Elaine Beachy Blog 0 0

Next to knowing what to write about and where to begin (which we discussed earlier), finding time to write can be a challenge. Sometimes, we as nice people become a yes person to anyone who wants something from us. We must learn when to say ‘no’ so we can make time for ourselves, too. When we make commitments that we find hard-pressed to keep, life can get too busy, noisy and very frustrating, resulting in angry feelings. But if you’re a writer, the feeling that you want to write something won’t go away.

I’ve done my biggest blocks of writing my children’s books when my husband and I went away for a few days to Cacapon State Park in West Virginia. Leaving phones and schedules behind, we drove to a parking area near a woods, and parked the car, listening to the birds and sounds of nature around us. Since it was chilly, we just sat quietly in the car with the doors open; Dave read a book while I pulled out my notebook and began to plot my story. And ideas flowed.

Other times at home, leaving the phone inside, I had a mini “vacation” by sitting on my back deck with a glass of ice water when the weather was balmy. There’s something about being in nature that inspires me to write. This is especially true when I write poetry. I love looking at the trees and blue sky, watching birds flit about, listening to the sounds of a distant neighbor’s lawnmower, or squeals of children at play.

I enjoy writing at night when the house is quiet and the black darkness outside coats the windows like a blanket wrapped around me in solitude, and I sip the spicy sweetness of a cup of decaf Chai tea. Like now. Can you smell it?

On trips to Pennsylvania to visit family, I take a notebook along in the car and jot down notes and ideas for a blog article or poem as my husband drives.

Sometimes life gets in the way of the best-laid plans, and your coveted writing time seems elusive.

• Don’t over-commit to activities
• Take a vacation from schedules
• Plan errands carefully
• Spend less time on the phone
• Curtail social media time (that’s a big one!)

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you carve out enough time for you to write. Then just do it!

Next time: Writing well and self-editing tips

Finding Time to Write

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