by Camy Tang
Working Full-Time and Writing
(or for any busy writer)
As always, remember that these tips won't all work for everyone, so pick and choose what's right for you.
ADJUST your mindset and PRIORITIZE your time
Your writing time is important. If you were working a second job (assuming you already have a first job or you're a stay-at-home-mom), you wouldn't be able to do a host of other things while on the clock.
You couldn't gab with your friend while flipping burgers at McDonalds. You couldn't check email while mowing a lawn. You couldn't cook dinner while programming code.
Your writing is that second job. The time you've set aside for it is precious, and you need to guard it against intrusion when possible.
Limit your e-mail time.
Some people find that it's better for them to put off checking their e-mail until they've finished their daily word count or writing time. It forces them to be productive and use e-mail time as a "reward."
It's also an option to limit your e-mail to a certain amount of time each day--and I'm serious, break out those kitchen timers! One hour, 30 minutes, 90 minutes--you choose.
A third possible way to limit e-mail is to only check it once or twice a day, at set times during the day. If you make a commitment to only check e-mail once in the morning and/or once at night, then you don't waste time opening your e-mail every 5 minutes during the day, or in the middle of your designated writing time.
Limit your critiquing time.
This is harder to coordinate, because most writers need their peers to give them feedback and vice-versa. It's kind of selfish to limit your time spent returning the favor, no?
Not if you schedule a limited amount of time each day for critiquing, like an hour. Again, kitchen timers are needed here. Once that hour is up, get cracking on your own writing. You'll be surprised how much critiquing you'll get done when you have to focus and finish as much as you can in a set amount of time.
Limit your socialization.
It's never good for writers to remain isolated, but don't let social obligations steal your precious writing time. You wouldn't be able to duck out of your day job for 2 hours whenever you felt like it to have lunch with a friend, would you?
Lunches with friends--While you need to connect with others, schedule it judiciously. Limit yourself to once a week, or once a month. Let your friends realize it's not personal, but your writing is important.
Limit your time on the phone--If you can afford it, there's the option of using a cell phone. People can always get you, but you have voice mail and can turn it off while you're writing. Turn the ringer off your home or office phone entirely so you're not distracted by the ringing line.
Record your writing time.
Record your start and stop time on a piece of paper. You might be surprised at how little or how much time you spend writing. This will also help schedule you and organize your time.
Know your season/days.
Some seasons are naturally more difficult for some writers to write. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Don’t beat yourself up for not being able to write during a certain season each year, just work around it.
Some writers are more creative during certain days of the week. Again, don’t beat yourself up over it, just adjust and work with your natural biorhythm.
Camy Tang
lives in San Jose, California. She previously worked biology research
and is a staff worker for her church youth group. She runs the Story Sensei critique service, and her Asian chick-lit novel has just been contracted by Zondervan.