No doubt about it. Life is BUSY! If we aren’t careful, we can run ourselves ragged trying to keep up. If you’re like me, you often feel pulled in every direction, trying to balance family activities, work responsibilities, church and community functions, and household duties.
And I have to wonder, WHEN CAN I WRITE?! To be serious about writing, one has to be intentional. So, if you’re struggling to find time to let your creativity flow, here’s some suggestions to better manage your time.
START YOUR DAY WITH PRAYER – Begin each day by asking for the Lord’s blessing. Taking a few precious moments to pray can make all the difference. When you submit your day and your writing to God, you’re placing it in His hands, and He’s sure to honor your request.
SET GOALS – As a writer, it’s important to set goals. Small goals as well as larger ones. On the larger scale, you may have a goal to complete a novel in a year, six months, or even three months, depending on your capabilities or time allowance. But smaller goals are also important. Try setting a word count goal for a week, or a day. Make it one that will require you to work to reach it, but one that is within your grasp to complete. Each time you achieve a goal, give yourself a pat on the back, and set a new and higher one.
BE FLEXIBLE – While goals are important, writers need to be able to bend schedules as situations require it. While you may feel it necessary to protect your writing time from minor interruptions, some simply can’t be avoided. In offering up prayers for my day, I often pray the Lord will allow me to accomplish all that He has in mind for me to accomplish. If I’m honest, that may sometimes differ from what I wish to accomplish. So when interruptions arise, take a deep breath, reassess, and adjust your plans accordingly. Perhaps the Lord has someone in mind for you to encourage through that change in plans.
DEVELOP A ROUTINE – Like it or not, we’re creatures of habit. Most of us do well to have a set schedule to work with. Setting up specific hours to write keeps us motivated and creates a standard of expectation to go by. When we’re organized, we make better use of our time.
LEARN YOUR CREATIVE TIME OF DAY – When do your creative juices flow most freely? I find my biggest word counts come in the early afternoon. How about you? Are you a night owl? Do you do your best work in the wee hours of the night? Or are you an early riser who finds inspiration in the promise of a new day? Be attune to the time of day that best suits your creative flare and set that as your focal point.
What ignites your creative flow? I’d love to hear from you.
Cynthia Roemer is an award-winning inspirational writer with a heart for scattering seeds of hope into the lives of readers.
Raised in the cornfields of rural Illinois, Cynthia enjoys spinning tales set in the backdrop of the 1800s prairie. She writes from her family farm in the Midwest where she resides with her husband and their two college-aged sons.
Her Prairie Sky Series consists of three prairie romance novels.
Book One: Under This Same Sky, Book Two: Under Prairie Skies, and Book Three, Under Moonlit Skies due to release in September, 2019.
Connect with Cynthia on her Website, FB Author page.
Follow her on Goodreads, Twitter, and Bookbub.
Regina Merrick says
I admire early-risers and night-owls. I am neither! I’m a middle-of-the-day girl, through and through! I’ve found that when I basically skip lunch, I can write solidly from about 11am-4pm when I have to, with just some quick breaks in between. I’m still finding that “sweet spot,” but for now, that works unless I have somewhere I have to be! Great post!
Cynthia Roemer says
Thanks, Regina! I’m the same way. The words flow best about that same time slot, though I don’t always have the convenience of working through the lunch hour when I have to feed my hungry farmer husband. LOL! Thanks for stopping by!
Heather Grere says
I’m with you about being neither a night owl or early bird. The part that’s hard for me is my most creative and productive times are when I’m at my eight to five job. Maybe one day that won’t be the case. Until then, I have to get creative to spend time being creative!
Cynthia Roemer says
I know what you mean, Heather. I only work two days a week, but it’s a struggle to curtail my creative energy those two days and hold off until I’m home to write. Thanks for stopping by!
Candace West Posey says
I enjoyed your post. I usually write in the early to mid afternoon, but every now and then, I get a spark of inspiration late in the evening!
Cynthia Roemer says
Thanks, Candace! So glad you stopped by to share your thoughts! Early to mid afternoon seems to be the prime time for writing! =)
Hope Dougherty says
Hey, Cynthia! I like to get started early in the morning. It’s quiet, dark, and I can hear what’s going on in my story. Nighttime…forget about it!
Cynthia Roemer says
LOL! I’m not a night owl either, Hope. Morning is a great time to start afresh! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Blessings!