We all fantasize about having large blocks of time to court our muses, often this isn’t an option. Finding or making time to write on a regular basis can be challenging, especially as the holidays roll around. With planning, shopping, and family get-togethers, writing time can easily slip away. A few strategies for keeping your creative juices brewing: e
Revisit your schedule: Take a close look at your day. It’s more than likely that you can squeeze a little more writing time here and there. One possibility: cutting down on time spent checking email and social media. This tends to be a black hole. Some writers check on a regular schedule: Once in the morning, once after lunch, and once at the end of the day. This structured approach often frees up valuable time.
Work in 10-minute sessions: Fitness experts tout the advantages of exercising for 10-minute intervals several times a day. Why not borrow this approach? You can “trick yourself into finding writing time” by just pulling out a pen and letting your thoughts flow for ten minutes at a time. Find three 10-minute slots in a day and you’ll have found half-an-hour of writing time. Over five days in a week, that adds up to 2-1/2 hours; over six, days, you’ll have put in 3 hours.
Take creativity breaks: When you find your attention lagging on a project unrelated to writing, why not give yourself a short creativity break and focus on your writing for 15 minutes or so, then return to the project at hand? You may find yourself refreshed and energized.
Use idle time: While waiting for a doctor’s appointment, picking up a prescription, or even watching a sports event, have a paper and pen handy. You can jot down a couple of ideas, make a list of scenes you need to fix or capture colorful bits of conversation you hear. Even quick moments like these can prove fruitful.
Pursue prompts: If your time is limited, you can exercise your writing muscles by writing to a prompt, just as you might in a workshop. This technique can be both fun and revealing. Even if you write only a paragraph or two, it can give your creativity a lift and perhaps even spotlight a great idea that’s been simmering below the surface.
The more often you write, the more you’ll accomplish and the better you’ll feel about nurturing your creative life. Write on!
