We’re All in This Together: Making Time to Write Post #2

Yesterday, several children’s writers posted about how they make time to write. Today, we have some more great tips on making time to write.

Allison Wexler Weiss

Like everything else that I want to accomplish in life, I make writing a priority. But how do I that when, like you, I need to eat, dress myself and take a shower occasionally, not to mention take care of the kids, the dog, the house, and the million other things that need handling? That is where a writing group comes in. It holds me accountable by requiring me to submit my writing every month in order to participate. These self-imposed deadlines motivate me (and give me permission) to let some of my other responsibilities slide in order to write. So yes, my shelves are a little bit dusty, but at least my keyboard isn’t.

Carol Munro

Full-time freelance writer

www.carolmunrojustwritewords.wordpress.com

As a freelance writer, when it comes to client work, the best motivator to get the work done is a deadline. I’ve tried to apply that to the writing I do for myself, but it usually doesn’t work.

What does work is meeting with my writing group every Thursday morning. We meet at a different member’s house each week, and she’s prepared with prompts for us to use. Sometimes they inspire a new picture book manuscript. Other times I skip the prompt and spend the time on a work-in-progress.

Our group takes summers off, so I reserve a room at the library for three hours every Thursday morning. I invite other writers in the area to drop in any time. Since I don’t know in advance if anyone else will join me, I MUST be there writing, just in case another writer shows up.

I’ve also been a member of a weekly critique group. Each week we set personal writing goals. Other members held us accountable. It was like having homework and wanting to score an A.

Of course, being part of the 12 x 12 picture book writing community has been a phenomenal motivator for me to write at least one draft per month, especially with the opportunity to submit to an agent each month.

Lastly, I imagine that after December 31, 2013, I will never write another picture book manuscript. Never. So I have from now until then to get them out. This is my year to put my writing at the top of the priority list — and KEEP it there. After wishing and wanting to write for kids for twenty plus years, isn’t it about time I do that? It’s Butt In Chair, Do The Work! If not now, when?

Robyn Campbell

robyncampbell.com

robyn-campbell.blogspot.com

How do I make time to write? EGAD, Marcie! That’s a tough one! Between farm work, homeschooling, and trying to keep my social butterfly status going, the writing has to happen somewhere over the rainbow. So, I usually write early mornings. That’s when I have the clearest head anyway. Which is pretty important for writing. The old adage about keeping the BIC is pretty good too. With BIC, I find I pretty much have to write to keep busy whilest sitting. Some writers do better at night. Whatever your time, schedule it with yourself and stick to it!

Marcie Flinchum Atkins

Children’s and YA Writer

https://www.marcieatkins.com

I blog about making time to write often, but I took a class recently that made me think even deeper about making time to write. Kelly L. Stone, author of Time to Write, and many other books about writing is teaching this amazing class again. The class is: “No Matter How Busy You Are, You Can Find Time to Write” through WOW: Women on Writing. The class is only $50.00 (on sale from $125). If you are serious about making time to write, then you should get in this class. It starts July 1. I blogged about the class a few months ago. Kelly Stone also guest posted on my blog recently.

I love how Jane Yolen talked about making time to write on Twitter recently:

“Don’t expect to “find” time to write. You must hunt it down and wrestle it to the ground.”