Jennifer Crusie has been quoted as saying:

Don’t look down.

Which essentially means to just write the story and don’t over edit yourself when you’re writing the first draft. It can be taken as a variation of BICHOK - Butt In Chair, Hands on Keyboard (for the non-writers reading this).

Nora Roberts has been quoted as saying:

You can’t edit a blank page.

These quotes may be  two of the more famous writing quotes. And are often used for inspiration and motivation.

Recently on RD Bria started the accountability corner. My writing time goal this week is 4 hours a day. And I am happy to say that I’ve met my goals so far this week. I don’t know if it’s the accountability aspect or what but I’m not going to question it to hard. And it has been 4 straight hours of writing. Monday I did 2 hours and 2 hours. Tuesday it was more in chunks - 1 hr, 2 hrs, 30 minutes, 30 minutes. The accountability corner for me is like Sweatin with Sven, Fast Draft and BIAW/BIAM (Book in a Week/Month) or Nano.

It helps me to shut down the internal editor and doubt demons and just focus on the words and write. Sometimes more successfully meeting my page count than others but the key for me is to write. Even if it’s in little blocks of time - 15, 20 or 30 minutes here and there - at least I’m writing.

Since I’ve began writing seriously, taking my writing seriously, I’ve learned a few things about making time and being productive. I try to write despite pain, mood or fear in my attempt to be a more dedicated and professional writer. Yes it’s difficult to write when I have a migraine (and I’ll admit not a lot gets done and some of it is pure crap). But I think it’s about discipline.

I’ve written at the doctor’s office, in the car (not while driving), on breaks and lunch at the day job. I write around my daily life - helping/taking care of mom, family drama, the day job, my own health concerns and a social life (even though it’s/I’m not as active now as I once was). I carry a tape recorder with me so when I don’t have pen and paper or my alphasmart then I can still “write”.

There are sacrifices I make such as not going out as much, not reading as much (though I do read for reviewing purposes and crafting but not so much for pure personal pleasure), TIVOing instead of watching live - just to name a few.

I won’t get into the doubts that creep in because that’s a topic for another blog post. 

So I’ll leave you with a question - for writers and non-writers too - how do you make time to write? Or make time for your career/goals/dreams or whatever is a priority to you around the realities of life? And if you write around a day job or family I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions on balancing it all (sounds like another great blog topic)?

Tags: Articles, Commentary, Making Time, Writing Life //