You have an excellent idea for a story. It’s been floating around in your mind for a long time, and it won’t leave you alone. You think about it when you get up, off and on during the day, and when you go to sleep at night. It’s begging you to write it down, but you’re pulled in different directions. Maybe, you have a demanding job schedule, children to take to practices, a house that needs cleaning, or commitments you’ve made to volunteer. Whatever the case may be, you’re spread thin, and you wonder how you can even add one more thing to your schedule.
Believe me, we have all been there.
I’m the first to confess that my life is anything but crazy busy. I’m married, have three kiddos, my youngest has Leukemia, and I homeschool the youngest two. Add in our weekly trips to Memphis for treatment, trying to keep up with household chores, writing, editing, and marketing into the mix, I’m one exhausted Mama.
But you see, I have a story that won’t leave my mind or my heart.
There are many tips and ways to organize your schedule out there. For me, I love lists. I have a “to-do” list that I use every day. I have a planner that I keep track of blog posts and appointments. But all of the tricks and tips in the world won’t help you if you don’t have one thing:
Discipline.
You have the desire to finish your story, to get it ready to share with others, but until that happens, you must find a way to navigate through your busy life and write. Until you change your thinking from, “I don’t have time to write” to “I have to write” the truth is, you won’t ever do it. There will always be another excuse.
I can’t say that I’ve mastered this discipline thing yet. There are still a hundred things that like to pull my attention away from my writing. I’m still learning how to navigate the busyness of life. I’m still learning techniques to help me balance everything that I have going on. But the desire to write is still burning inside.
My mindset has changed.
I’m working on my third and fourth books right now, and I’m just as excited about them as I was when I first decided to write. Once you determine that you have to write no matter what else is going on, you’ll find time to accomplish it. It may take you longer, it may be incredibly difficult, but it’s so worth the work!
About Erin R. Howard
Erin R. Howard is a developmental editor, fantasy author of The Kalila Chronicles, and has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing/English from Southern New Hampshire University.
When she’s not writing, Erin enjoys spending time with her family, fueling her craft addictions, and teaching writing workshops.
Erin is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the KenTen Writers Group. She resides in Western Kentucky with her husband and three children.
Erin’s Upcoming Release (2/19/19)
Elnora’s parents gave her one rule:
Stay hidden away at all costs.
Elnora Scott is used to her survival depending on the decisions of others. Locked away in her safe house, it is easy to follow her parents’ dying wishes until an angel, demon, and seer show up on her doorstep. Now, waking up in a dirty cell, she wishes she would have gone with them when she had the chance, because the very ones who unknowingly ushered the kidnapper to her location may be the only ones who can save her now.
When Thea learns that Elnora may be in danger, she doesn’t hesitate to go find her. Thea thought stepping through the portal would be her greatest obstacle, but it only reveals a more sinister threat.
Learn more about Erin and her series, The Kalila Chronicles.
Email:
Address: 15 Lucky Lane
Phone : 501-289-9319
Great encouraging post, Erin! Sometimes I think I need to get away on a deserted island to write, but what I need is to create an island around my desk and in my mind!
Thanks, Regina! An island around your desk sounds nice! I need to revamp my writing area. I’m thinking about adding a marker board so I can visual see my ideas and plots.
Discipline and determination. Exactly! I’m a list maker, too, Erin. I even add chores to already written lists so that I can cross them out! Thank you!
Hehe! I do the same, Hope! 😉
Great post, Erin! There will never be a perfect time or place to write. Sometimes we have to “just do it!” Thanks for the encouragement. 🙂