Finding the Time to Write
When I was in grad school getting my MA in Writing, a really cool professor of mine got a published writer (and professor from another school) to come to our workshop for a little Q&A. After reading and talking about all these amateur stories (for the most part), it was nice to have a real writer in the room talking and sharing about her experiences.
I love this kind of stuff so when the floor was opened for questions I just had to speak up, “What’s the most important piece of advice you have for writing students like ourselves?” She thought about it for a second and then she said something like this:
Well, I think it’s fairly obvious. Looking back at the time when I was a student, it hits me how much time I had on my hands. It didn’t seem like it then, but now I can really see how much time I squandered. I have kids now and finding 30 minutes to sit down and write is really really hard. It’s not about desire or hard work or plots or storylines, it’s really about finding and taking advantage of the time you have to get your writing in every day. So to you as grad students, if you don’t have families right now then you are already ahead of the game. Write as much as you can as often as you can because things only get more complicated from here on out. So find the time and treat it with respect because without time it doesn’t matter how good you are.
I listened carefully but couldn’t escape that one line: “Finding 30 minutes to sit down and write is really hard.” What?! This was back when I had too much time on my hands and I felt like I needed to get busy so I would have something to write about.
Now, of course, I see the folly of my ways. Time is getting harder and harder to come by and with this blog taking up most of my early mornings (pre-work), it’s getting even tougher. I’ve tried blogging ahead sometimes so that I have some open mornings to just write, but as any writer knows, you have to write every day for it to work. And I’m talking fiction here, not for this blog. Someone pointed out to me that this should count as “writing” and part of me agrees. But it isn’t fiction so it doesn’t feel like I’m “practicing” the craft of fiction, which is where I want to go eventually.
What if my job changes tomorrow and I have to come in earlier? If these mornings where I get up, have some coffee, and write for a couple of hours (which is a great way to become a better employee, by the way) gets taken away, I don’t think I could function. It’s become such a routine that when I don’t do it I feel guilty and lazy.
I feel a little conflicted. I’ve thought about this a lot and part of me wonders if I should just drop the blog in terms of a daily update and work on it more sporadically. Like when I have an idea that I think is great, I’ll write about it. If it’s OK, then I’ll pass and go work on my fiction. Something about the ability to publish right away and have someone read it keeps me hooked onto the blog though. But is it worth it? Am I continuing to write for this blog because part of me thinks I’ll eventually break through and make some real money at it? It is vanity? Probably a little of both, but I have to really figure out how to find the time to work on my much-neglected fiction because I know that’s where I want to live eventually.
I don’t know if I can dedicate myself to fiction and have this blog continue on the way it’s going. Only time will tell.
June 3rd, 2008 at 6:57 am
I hear you on this. Sometimes I waste away my time, but more often I’m trying to do everything I want in half the time it would take. Which means things like writing can get left behind if they’re not essential.
June 3rd, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Funny story: I checked out The Art of Getting Things Done from the library to figure out a way to streamline all my activities and I have read 30 pages. It’s due back today. D’oh! So I’m returning it and checking it out again another time. When I have time. But I did get through some good stuff.
June 3rd, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Finding time to write is becoming increasingly difficult for me as the demands of my full time job and my family become more pressing. I’ve also taken on some additional writing projects which add to the mix. I have resorted to something of a writing marathon which begins early on Saturday morning at a local cafe (around 7:00am) and doesn’t end until after lunch. It gives me a chance to get away and just write. When I’m there all I do is write, and write and write – no editing, no graphic searches, no linking out…just writing. I get as many topic ideas into rough draft format as possible. I then spend the 15-20 minutes I can sneak away from the wife and kids to do the final editing during the week. It isn’t an ideal way to do things, but necessary at this point in my life.
June 3rd, 2008 at 6:38 pm
That’s an interesting way of doing it Frugal Dad. I keep hearing that writing every day is key (when it comes to fiction) so I wonder if that would work for me. But like you said, it’s all about making it work for our own circumstances and that’s what you’ve done. It’s what we all have to do.
June 4th, 2008 at 2:52 am
I just had the same talk with my bro-in-law – he’s going to college and he isnt’ fully utilizing his time – of course, he thinks i’m old (coz I’m 10 years older) and I don’t know anything!
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