The Life of a Writer – Part 3 (When)

Finding time to write can be as much of a challenge as figuring out what to write.

I disappeared from the blogging world for much of 2022. I greatly appreciate all those who checked on me, but when asked why I wasn’t writing, the simple answer was, I didn’t have time. It’s a lame excuse and it’s one of the most horrible things a writer can say, but it was unfortunately true (sort of).

For most of 2022, I was trying to finish a college degree (which I did). I was having to write 10 page research papers every week, culminating with a final 50 or so page thesis. This is on top of working a full time job and doing the whole life thing. With all this, I had zero desire to write on my blog. I felt bad about it, but the last thing I wanted to do was sit down in front of a computer to type. I did post once in a while, but I just didn’t want to do it.

The part where I said not having time to write was ‘sort of’ true is because I had to make time to write. I wasn’t working on my blog, but I was writing. I found time wherever possible to get my papers done because I made it a priority. If writing is important to you, you will find the time to make it happen.

Surprisingly, when I was done with school, the first thing I said to myself is, I need to write more.

I can’t stand writing research papers, but I love writing what I want to write. I often have to neglect other things to do it though. Those things may be sleep, work, chores, family time, or other life responsibilities. It’s just not easy for me to sit down for an hour or two to focus on writing, but it can be done. Whether or not it’s anything worth reading is debatable, but it’s at least something. I’m always impressed with people who do write often and post on a regular basis. I find the commitment quite admirable.

Writing is like any addiction. It steals your soul.

Regardless of what you’re working on, writing takes time. There is no way around that. You have to think about what you want to write, you have to sit down to actually write, and hopefully, you might even edit your work afterward. Then, you read it, re-read it, then re-read it again. After that, you smack yourself in the head and say, NOOOOOO. Then you start all over again. At least that’s how it goes for me sometimes.

It’s rare that I can sit down and knock out an article in one sitting. This is one of the most frustrating things about writing. It’s not easy to sit down in front of the computer for hours and hours to write, but it can be done if you so desire.

Timing is critical.

If I don’t quickly get to a computer when I have a thought in my head, it’s gone because the follow though is the hard part for me. I start many articles for ideas I have, then never finish them. I have a couple of books I started 2 or 3 years ago that I’ve made little or no progress with. It’s mostly because I’m easily distractable (squirrels and shiny things), but also it’s part laziness. When you have an idea, you have to run with it and finish it. If you don’t, it’s hard to come back to.

In short, you have to make time to create your work. It sounds obvious, but it’s what lacking for most writers. Too many people feel like they don’t have time, but they really do. It’s about setting priorities and figuring out how to manage them.

~ Marty ~

Thank you for finding time to read this. Hopefully you’ll subscribe to read more in the future!

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