How to be a Writer If You Haven’t Got Time to Write

If you are struggling to write on top of other commitments, one of the most intimidating and discouraging pieces of advice that the you will hear most often is, ‘Write Every Day’. In the past, this piece of advice, whilst probably with very good intentions, has had the effect of making me feel either, a) guilty, or b) that perhaps I’m not really a writer after all. Perhaps it sounds flimsy, but seriously, there have been many times in my life where it has not been possible to write every day. Without going into too many details, this was due to social life, being very busy, or health issues.

Despite this, I have managed to complete five complete novels, as well as various short stories, articles and blogs. Obvious, I am a writer. But I don’t write every day, and I no longer feel guilty about it.

Writing every day can be a luxury that not all of us have. For me, it’s mainly because I’m a single woman having to earn a living whilst dealing with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. For others, it might be because of bringing up a family single-handedly, for example.

Writing every day can be a luxury that not all of us have.

There are other ‘rules for writers’ too, that I would like to throw out of the window. Seriously, you do not need to have a ‘special place’ to write, nor do you need to set aside a particular time to write.

If, in your heart, you are a writer, and you seriously want to write; if you have something you need and want to say using the medium of fiction or non-fiction, you can find your own time and space to write.

Write where and when you can

Here’s how I would re-write the writing rules for the writer who doesn’t have time to write:

• Write when you can – preferably at least two or three times a week and regularly.

• Write wherever you can. I have written on trains, buses, waiting rooms and in the staff room of the college where I used to work. You do not need a ‘sacred space’. If you’ve got something to say, you can say it anywhere. Nor do you need a laptop or a special pen. If you’ve got a bic and the back of an envelope, you can write.

• Write whenever you can. If your life is somewhat chaotic, play it day by day. You decide each day when you might have a few minutes/half an hour or so to write.

I still feel I don’t have enough time to write – but the point is I’m doing it. I’m aiming to finish my next novel before the end of 2018.

Rules are made to be broken. But if I had any further advice for the time-poor writer, it would the following:

• Find ways to motivate yourself (read, take interest in other people, think of something you feel strongly about…) – excitement about a project will encourage you to make time.

• Write one word after another until your book is finished. Finishing the first chapter will feel like a major achievement – and if you can write one chapter, you can write another…

• Don’t worry if it’s not perfect as you write. Just get the story down. You can then go back and do the editing and re-writes. And even then, it doesn’t have to be perfect. There’s no such thing.

Even if your life is chaotic, just pick up a pen and start.  Even if you can’t write every day, just keep going.  Eventually, you will find your own writing pattern – and you will then be a writer.