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	How To Find Time To Write

	by Jan Andersen

You have aspirations to become a successful, published writer -- but you also have a full-time job, a house to keep, family obligations to fulfill, or perhaps even a new baby hanging off of your hip 24 hours a day. So, how do you possibly find TIME to write?

DON'T LET YOUR LIFE GET IN THE WAY

The above were some of the EXCUSES that I used for not devoting more time to my craft. I found it difficult to sit down at my computer and be creative if there was a pile of ironing to do, or if there were dirty dishes in the sink. My philosophy was "tidy house, tidy mind". But it also meant half-finished articles, nothing published and, hence, no recognition. The only things I achieved were a temporarily immaculate home and a great deal of FRUSTRATION. Then the children would stampede through the house like a herd of Wildebeest and, in five minutes flat, most rooms would have resumed their pre-blitz state, ready for their unappreciated mother to start over again the following day.

SOUR GRAPES

The exasperation that I felt also caused me to become very analytical of other published works that I read, when I would think, "I thought of that idea ages ago", or "I could write about that issue from a different angle" and so on. I was expending energy in a NEGATIVE way rather than using it to focus on my own writing. And, what concerned me most, was that someone else might publish a book of a genre that I had already planned, but hadn't yet got around to completing. Time was passing and I was still saying, "In the future when I have more time, when the children are grown, when the extension's been built, when I have a proper office etc. etc. ad infinitum…"

WHEN YOU SET YOUR MIND TO IT

When I was at work, however, I produced endless reams of marketing material because I set deadlines and I was being paid to fulfill those tasks. It takes a lot of commitment and SELF-MOTIVATION to set targets for yourself, especially when you know that there is no guarantee that you will receive credit or payment at the end of each written project.

STOP LIMITING YOURSELF

By changing my attitude and believing that I really could write any time, any place and anywhere, I soon became a published writer. Writing used to be something that I did when I had a SPARE MOMENT. Now I spend practically every waking minute crafting articles, features and stories in my mind, irrespective of what I am doing at the time.

KNOW YOU CAN DO IT

The main difference between writers who write and writers who don't, is motivation and enthusiasm -- and truly BELIEVING that you will eventually be published. And yes, until they have published enough to make a living from their craft, most writers also have to hold down a full-time job, in addition to performing everyday routine functions associated with the process of living.

FINDING THE INSPIRATION TO WRITE

Inspiration is everywhere. But contrary to not having enough time to write, the more ideas I have and the more flashes of inspiration that I record, the more time I find to construct the ideas into essays of substance. Noting down ideas creates ENTHUSIASM and when you are enthused about something, you will always find time to engage in the activity that gives you such stimulation. Even if it means that the ironing gets left for another couple of hours or the breakfast dishes don't get washed up until lunchtime.

CAPTURING THOSE GREAT IDEAS

Wherever I go and whatever I do, I make sure I have a NOTEPAD and pen to hand to jot down ideas and record inspiring things that I hear people say or see people do. I even carry a pocket-sized notebook in my handbag or coat pocket. Simple, commonsense advice -- but unfortunately not practiced by all writers.

IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD

I have changed my MINDSET so that I am constantly thinking, "Write, write, write", rather than, "What should I do for dinner this evening", or "What color should we paint the study?" or "I'll write that article tomorrow -- or next week, or the week after." Everything I see, every conversation I hear, every television program I watch, every trip I make to the supermarket fuels yet another IDEA for an article or story. Yet, instead of it remaining inside my mind as an idea that I will shape into a fabulous feature at some undetermined point in the future, it is almost immediately TRANSFERRED onto paper and into the hands of an interested editor.

BUILDING YOUR REPERTOIRE

A real desire to write is the beginning. Believing in your talent and having the confidence that you will succeed comes next. Writing for non-paying markets is a start and offers you EXPOSURE. Recognition and payment comes later. And remember, anything you publish, irrespective of whether you were paid for it or not, is a CREDIT to your name and can be added to your clip file. Successful writers are not driven by greed, they are driven by their love of writing and by the desire to give others pleasure from reading their work.

GREAT BOOKS

For more RESOURCES, check these out:

"A Writer's Notebook: Unlocking The Writer Within You"
"Live Writing: Breathing Life Into Your Words"
"Breathing In, Breathing Out: Keeping A Writer's Notebook"

Jan Andersen is a completely mad English mother of three teenagers and one baby. She is a self-confessed chocoholic with 18 years’ marketing and copywriting experience. She specializes in humorous, satirical and thought-provoking articles. Her main aim is for people to derive enjoyment from reading my work and to help brighten the day of those who are in need of a good laugh!S he may be contacted at . Visit her website at funnyladywriter.homestead.com/introduction.htm.

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