Today’s blog post is written by Ari Meghlen. Thanks, Ari!
Firstly, thanks so much to Rachel for inviting me onto her awesome blog and share my thoughts with all her readers.
Unless you’re a full-time writer, you will have to carve out time for your writing throughout a million and one other tasks from errands, to chores, to a job etc.
So, you need to guard your writing time and here are some simple tips to start you off:
Set a Commitment
Give yourself a commitment. Whether that’s a daily word count, a monthly scene quota or just a single deadline to complete the first draft. Write it down. Put it somewhere you can see it every day when you sit down to write. Add in a reward for yourself for when you reach that commitment.
Decide the Outcome
Knowing what you want to have done when you sit down to write will reduce delays. If you’re a plotter, keep your outline close and know what part you want to be writing that day. If you’re a pantser, decide what you want to be writing – a chapter, a scene etc.
This will save you wasting time sitting before a blank screen wondering what you should write. The point is to use as much of your writing time actually writing.
Don’t Answer the Phone
If you are not waiting for a specific call, and it’s not an emergency, don’t answer the phone. If you are able, put your mobile phone on silent during the time of your writing. You can always ring people back after your writing session.
Turn your phone face down, so that you don’t see it lighting up when you get a text or a call.
Limit your Email Checks
Pick a time for checking your emails and then shut them down and stay out of the Inbox. Like the calls, unless you are expecting an important email, keep yourself logged out during your writing time. Emails can wait.
You can even set up an automatic out of office message to bounce to anyone who emails you, letting them know when you will be responding.
Time is Money
When you work a job, you give up time in exchange for money. Considering your time in terms of money, can really help you to give it its due priority. It can also help you protect it more effectively and be more likely to say no to unwanted distractions and interruptions.
Let go of Perfection
If you are writing your first draft, don’t aim for perfection right off the bat. Just get it written. In the past I got caught up in a cycle of writing and editing. What happened? I struggled to get anything finished. I would get stressed and bounce to a new story.
When I decided to push through and actually stop editing as I was writing my first drafts, (which was really hard) I started to finish things. This was a great boost as it made me write more in each sitting.
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Remember that no one cares as much about your writing time as you do. Just a few small steps can help you set aside time for your writing and protect that time.
About Ari
Ari is a writer of both traditional fantasy and preternatural urban fantasy. She also blogs about writing and runs the Twitter Writing Game #TheMerryWriter with Rachel :)
When not deep in her worlds full of scheming monsters, vengeful demons or lost souls, Ari spends her time reading, making jewellery, playing boardgames (not very well) and wandering aimlessly about in nature.
Most days she is surrounded by her noisy cats and an ever-growing pile of books though she also enjoys watching really bad movies with her boyfriend.
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All good tips Ari! But even “full time” writers (Contractual obligation to traditional publisher) have to do stuff other than write! (LIke shop, cook, do laundry, pick up kids, etc.) I have to carve out time, set daily word counts, curb the urge to check e-mail, etc. So your tips apply to me for sure! A deadline is a great motivator!
Hi Carol, thanks for reading. Those non writing tasks seem endless sometimes. And what is it that always draws us to check our email 😉
That darn life always seems to get in the way of our writing time, huh? Lol.
Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Rachel. 😊😊😊
It was my pleasure! Thank you for being part of it. 🙂
[…] Ari Meghlen has a great post at Rachel Poli’s on How To Guard Your Writing Time. Important info for all us busy […]
Great article. One thing that works for me (and has in the past) is accountability. I have a writing circle friend who I tell all my deadlines to so she can beta read. Because I know she’s waiting for it, I can’t shirk off knowing I’m eating into her time, too.
That’s a great thing to do. Accountability is huge and is a great help.
Great tips!! It is always a struggle to make the best of your writing time. Even now that I’m retired. In fact I think it is worse now as I was so much more structured when I worked. I like the time is money point. Thanks!
Making the best of your writing time is tough, I agree. It’s definitely easier said than done, lol.
[…] https://rachelpoli.com/2018/11/27/how-to-guard-your-writing-time-guest-post/ […]
I try to stick to a daily word count. I find staying off of my phone, away from social media is the tricky part.
Another wonderful post Ari, lovely to read you over here at Rachel’s place. 😊
Thanks for stopping by and reading. 🙂