We’re on day two of looking at obstacles writers struggle with that prevent them from writing and publishing their stories.
I want to help you write the incredible story you have in your head and edit the draft that’s taking up drawer space, and finally, once and for all, start and finish that manuscript!
I don’t have time to write.
Have you ever said that to yourself?
Think about this: there are 1440 minutes in each day. That’s a heck of a lot of minutes! 480 of those minutes will be used for sleeping if you’re getting your recommended 8 hours.
So that leaves you with 960 minutes per day when you’re awake.
I get it, you have a lot to do every day.
But, here’s a little tough love on the “I don’t have time to write” obstacle: it’s an excuse.
It’s an excuse for something else that’s going on…
Are you scared to write?
Are you overwhelmed?
Are you exhausted?
Are you anxious?
Do you work a high-stress day job?…
^^^These are all real and true issues and each and everyone should be addressed.
In fact, I encourage every writer I work with to get behind WHY writing scares you.
(Tip: writing creatively scares every writer. Published and newbies. You’re not alone.)
But these issues shouldn’t stop you from pursuing your passion.
You can find a few minutes to devote to something that makes you feel whole.
I recommend writers aim for 20 minutes per day 4 days/week if they feel like they’re living in chaos. Start with a manageable amount of time. 15 minutes. (Because who can’t make 15 minutes of time 4 days/week?) If that’s too much, cut it back. 10 minutes three times/week.
Try it.
Really.
If you make 15 minutes three times/week, that means that three days each week you’ll have 945 awake minutes left to live your life.
Four days each week you’ll still have 960 minutes.
Schedule those 15 minutes. Some people find it easier to write first thing in the morning. Others like to fit it in in a certain time window, and some writers are night owls.
It doesn’t matter what time you write. As long as it works for YOU.
Once you’ve got those 15 minutes three times/week down, move it to 20 minutes/4 days a week.
Find yourself staring at a blank page? Too tired to think about what to write? Write from a prompt or use a writing exercise (like the ones in 6 Kickstart Writing Exercises!).
You CAN do it!
You DO have time.
Schedule your brief writing times and make a plan for what you’ll work on in each of those writing sessions.
Make it happen on your own terms.
Give yourself permission to make it happen.
