Last week I asked my friends on social media what stood in the way of writing and publishing a children’s book. One answer I heard loud and clear was lack of time. I get it! Everyone is busy, and it isn’t easy to manage what’s already on our plate, much less fit something else in.
And so this brings us back to our question. When and how do we make time to write and publish a children’s book?
The good and bad news is that there is no one solution. Some writers like to write first thing in the morning when the house is quiet. Others write during commutes to and from the office or during their lunch breaks. Some authors stay up late to write when the family is asleep. I tend to work in the morning but also in bursts if the kids are occupied and inspiration is no longer willing to be contained. The trick is to pick a time that works for you and get writing.
Write First Thing in the Morning
The book, The Miracle Morning for Writers by Hal Elrod first turned me on to getting life’s most important things done before the day gets busy and distracts you from your priorities. If you can carve out some time at the start of the day, perhaps by setting your alarm 30 minutes earlier, consider doing so to make some progress first thing. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your ideas and book come together.
Try a Pomedoro
A Pomodoro is based on a little timer shaped like a tomato. It can be set for 25 minutes, just enough time to focus, complete a task, or start a project. I don’t have an actual Pomodoro timer. I use my iPhone or even the microwave timer. But doing a Pomodoro is a great way to jump-start a writing habit. I also love that this strategy lets me create intentional productive time slots during the day and motivates me to do tasks I’d rather put off entirely.
Adjust Your Expectations of What Writing Looks Like
Most of us who long to write envision a similar experience. It often involves sitting at a desk with a hot tea or coffee. I like to imagine uninterrupted hours of contemplation while I look out over a forest of shaded trees. I imagined time to formulate deep thoughts and articulate them perfectly. But my daydream is interrupted when life’s responsibilities call.
If you ask most authors about the reality of writing, the actual experience looks utterly different from the daydream. More often, writing involves committing to show up, whether or not you feel like it. Many days, it feels like drudgery and work rather than restful contemplation. But if you want to be a writer, the not-so-glamorous fact is that you must sit down and write.
Reassess Your Priorities
Whether or not you want to write, reassessing priorities is an integral part of life. It’s so important to regularly evaluate what we’re doing, what matters most, and if our path is still taking us where we want to go.
If you want to write, think about what can be given up or delayed for a while. Consider low-hanging fruit like watching tv in the evenings, sleeping in, or playing on phones. If you want to write and publish a book, carving out 30 minutes from one of these activities will get you to your goal.
Let the Rest Go
Once you reassess your priorities, permit yourself to let go of the tasks that no longer matter or can be delayed until a future time. No one can do it all. Progressing in your writing will require putting off or stopping tasks that aren’t a priority right now.
Write in Sprints
For some tasks, slow and consistent progress works wonders. I like to dive all in for other jobs to maximize my productivity and focus. If this is you, writing sprints may be more effective. Rather than carving out a bit of time every day, choose a day of the week when you can dedicate a few hours to your new book. A two to four-hour time block on a Saturday is a great way to progress toward your goal steadily.
Join a Writing Community
This wasn’t originally on my list when I considered time management, but prioritizing a task is much easier when you’re part of a community that supports your efforts. It also helps to have a little financial investment behind your pursuit. One community I’ve especially enjoyed being a part of is Kent Sanders’ Daily Writer Club. In addition to being a supportive environment with other writers and aspiring authors, this community provides weekly “Writers Sprints” where members can dial in once a week, encourage one another, and then get to writing for a given amount of time.
So, what do you think? Are you ready to write and publish that children’s book?
Are you a writer? What is your favorite way to make time to write?
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