Creative writing is an adventure. One fraught with many obstacles and challenges to test even the most seasoned author. While trudging through the mountains and caverns of our creative minds is a lot of fun, it’s easy to get lost in the overwhelming journey through our imagination.
So how do you find the time to stay focused? How do you stay on the right path to make your author’s dreams come true? The answer is simple. It all comes down to your choices.
Life can get complicated and busy. As a result, our creative minds are often forced to take a back seat. But here’s the trick. Just because it’s in the back seat doesn’t mean it has to stay there. If you have a child in the backseat while you drive, your mind and body are focused on driving. But when you get home and safely turn off the car and unfasten your seatbelt, it’s time to turn your attention to the waiting child. How are your creative talents different?
Sure, you may have things at home to focus on. (We all do.) But the important part is to remember to schedule it in your day. In my life, I have learned if you want something bad enough, you will make it happen. So, what choices do you need to make for your writing to happen?
You know your schedule and home habits better than anyone. So, ask yourself, what works best for you? Here are some ideas:
- Waking up an hour early each morning.
- Staying up after others go to bed.
- Fitting it in your work schedule or just after your work schedule.
- Have a block of time daily for kids to do homework while you write.
- Plan around your responsibilities. Schedule an outing for kids or tell your special person you need this block of time each week.
- Always carry a small notebook or something while working or going about your busy day. Oftentimes, ideas pop when we least expect them, and having something to jot down quickly will help you when it’s time to write.
These ideas may not work for everyone, but they can help you jumpstart your routine. Having a routine tailored to you can help you move forward in your creative writing journey.
And like any journey, there will be unexpected twists and turns. There will be challenges you have to face, worlds to discover, and characters to work with, but hopefully, the end result will be a magnificent story you can be proud of.
Good luck with your creative writing adventure.