Writing a book can be challenging. Think about the amount of effort that actually goes into developing, outlining and actually writing a book. Now consider what it would take to execute all those processes while trying to live your life! And very few aspiring writers can afford to quit their jobs and dedicate their time to writing. Most of these writers find themselves struggling to fit their writing schedules into their lives, often with very disastrous results.
Tips on How to Manage Your Time When Writing a Book
The fact that you have such a hectic schedule is no excuse to quit your dreams. Some of the most world renowned authors today achieved writing success even while living full social lives and pursuing other careers they had little to no passion for. Through time-management, there are ways to pay your bills, see your friends and still get your writing done on time. Of course, this is no easy feat. It’s best accomplish by forming habits that will help you better utilize your time while writing a book. ChatEbooks lists some tips on how to manage your time when writing a book.
Carry a Notebook
Keep a notebook on hand at all times, day or night. As a writer, you never know when ideas pop or when the difficult plots of your story will come together. For this reason, you are discouraged from leaving your house without some way of recording your ideas.
Most people do not have the luxury of isolating themselves in their homes, taking long hikes and embarking on lengthy vacations to get their creative juices flowing. As an average man or woman with a busy life, you must use the little time you have wisely. You have to let inspiration find you wherever you are. So make sure you have a way of recording those unexpected brilliant ideas when they arrive.
Write at Every Opportunity
The idea that authors who cannot find the time to write are lazy is absolutely false. Some people’s schedules are simply that busy, period. You’ll actually fail at writing a book is if you keep looking for lengthy periods of time you can set aside every day or every week to get your writing done. Very few people have the time to sit at their desk and write for several hours on any given day. Most working authors must learn to survive on the small moments. Remember the last time you were sitting in a doctor’s office waiting to see your physician? Think about all of the writing you could have done. How about those hours you spend commuting to work on the train every week? Take advantage of every second. Even if all you can do is jot down a few lines or perfect a short paragraph, those small tasks will eventually accrue into a full novel.
Do What You Can
Most writers are never satisfied unless they churn out a few pages in any given writing session. The easiest way to procrastinate is to burden yourself with objectives you cannot keep. If you think you have to write three pages a day, then you will most likely postpone your writing sessions until you believe you can accomplish your lofty goal.
If you actually want to complete your projects, then you need to strive to do what you can when you can. Forget about giving it your best every time and don’t worry about always meeting your predetermined objectives. Any line you can get on a sheet of paper is a new line added to your story.
Work When Nobody Else Is
Most authors who are writing a book understand this. If you want to succeed as a writer, you need to extend your working hours. A lot of authors who also work at other jobs complain that there is never enough time within their ten-hour working day to put pen to paper. If your 10 hour day doesn’t allow you to write, find time early in the morning before work and late at night while everyone is asleep. There is nothing easy about pushing yourself this way, but it may be your only option if you want to accomplish your publishing goals.
Avoid Distractions
If you want to write effectively, then avoid distractions during the times you’ve set aside for writing a book. Turn off electronic devices, isolate yourself, ensure that every free minute you have to write is used to do just that.
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