by Jim
Hi Jim,
I was hoping you could give me some advice on actually finding time to write. I work full time and have a family. I literally have no time to write at all. I saw on your bio that you also have kids. Do you also have another job or are you a full time writer?
Thanks,
David
Hi David,
I may not be the best person to ask here. Honestly, I’m usually in the same boat you are. I have another job and two (soon to be three) kids. So when to I find time to write? The answer is simply ‘whenever I can.’
That’s literally the only answer I can give you. I keep a copy of whatever I’m working on open on my computer and bang out a chapter during lunch or during some downtime and then do the bulk of my writing for an hour or so after everyone in my house goes to sleep. The ONLY reason this works for me is because I’ve trained myself to type at an accelerated pace. At my best, I can bang out 5-10K words in a couple of hours.
The problem with this is that it takes a toll on you. For this reason, after my next Drakin Novel, I may take some time off writing… maybe. I say that a lot, but honestly, it takes so much out of you to do what I do… by the time I’m done, I’m usually exhausted and about 10lbs heavier than I was.
It can get bad sometimes, but I love writing that much.
The only recommendation I can give you is to try to write whenever you can. Even if you’re just scribbling something down on paper the old fashioned way. Figure out what works for you and then go from there.
Whatever you do, please don’t put your health at risk. Again, I’m not the best role model here, but I know what it’s like to want to continue writing even when your eyes are trying to force themselves shut. When your body tells you that enough is enough, stop.
Readers, do any of you suffer from this problem? How do you find time to write? Share it with David and let him know!
Thanks,
Jim
Readers,
Do you have a question about writing, publishing, my stories, etc? Please feel free to post a comment or email me.
jimthewritingwizard@gmail.com
I’ll use those comments to select my next blog post.
I have been writing for several years, have 4 published works, experience with publishing and independent work, so I can hopefully be of assistance.
Please note, I only do one of these a day and will do my best to respond to everyone, but it may take some time.
Also, feel free to check out my works of Fantasy and Historical Fiction, Available on Amazon and where ever books are sold. See the link below:
http://www.amazon.com/James-Harrington/e/B00P7FBXTU
Note:
If you have read my books, PLEASE log into Amazon and post a review. I really love to hear everyone’s thoughts and constructive criticisms. Reviews help get my book attention and word of mouth is everything in this business!
Thanks friends!
Catch you on the flip side!
-Jim
James Harringtons Creative Work 
Hi David,
I had to retire because of medical problems 20 years ago. My frustration at not being able to work forced me to do something positive with my time. Having told my kids fairy-stories when they were young they suggested I start writing stories. I began with a humorous anthology of personal stories from when I was aged 5 until I was aged 10, and I found it so satisfying I haven’t stopped since.
I’m very much into time management and this allows me to read, write, type and publish my blogs http://www.irelandsloreandtales.wordpress.com and http://www.myirelandspast.wordpress.com. When you do this you must always allow family time even though my kids are aged 40, 37, 35, and 32. I now have to make time for grandchildren…
I know that none of this is much help but you must time manage and share yourself or else you will burn yourself out. Just because you have a blog doesn’t mean you have to publish every day. I publish only when I am happy with what I have written. Keep on writing, friend because you owe it to your readers, your followers and most of all to yourself.
Jim Woods
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The more time I have, the less I write. Procrastination and lack of urgency kicks in. Also I feel guilty and selfish by taking the time out to write. Late at night is best for me, but not my health.
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Three quick thoughts:
1. Writers write. Talkers talk, dreamers dream, thinkers think, but writers write.
2. Free time is fine. But if you are serious, you need at least an hour a day. A regular same time, same channel hour. Stay up an hour later. Get up an hour early. Take an hour writing (working) lunch. Whatever works best for you. Daily.
3. Make it your job. Daily. What would cause you to miss work? I don’t feel like going to work today? I’m too sick? I’ll go, but I don’t feel like working today? I’m in a bad mood, the wrong mood, or the ever popular: I don’t feel inspired today?… Return to point #1.
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I find the time, I make the time. I work full-time, and up until December 2017, working on my paralegal degree (I did graduate, finally!). I have my wonderful husband, but no animals or kids (yet).
I just completed my first-ever Camp NaNoWriMo, where I succeeded with my goals of writing 20,000 new words for a novel that I started in 2012. During the month of April, I found that the best time for me to write freely was the 45-60 minutes during the weekday mornings when my husband was taking a shower and getting ready for work. And then, one recent Saturday afternoon, I banged out over 3,000 words when my husband was taking a nap.
I primarily write on my laptop, but I also carry my composition notebook and extra pens with me everywhere. It’s a habit I’ve had since I was around 10 years old. If my nose wasn’t in a book, I wanted to have pens and paper so I could write. It’s still there, years later.
Best of luck to you!!
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