FIND TIME AND SPACE

I’m going to start of this month of blogging with my first tip – and it’s the most common thing non-writers will say to me: “Oh, I wish I had time to write.” Or, even worse: “I’m sure I could write a novel, if only I had time.”

Now, I get it. Some years ago, before I became a full-time author, I too thought I didn’t have time to write. But now I understand that it wasn’t anything to do with time – it was that I didn’t have the HEADSPACE to write. Sure, there was physical time during the day when I could have written, but most of my head was filled with information about my work, which left little time to think of anything creative. But you might be different. I hope you are.

Now, for the moment, forget about a writing study with a view over the mountains, or a comfortable nook with hot and cold running gin and tonics – we need to be practical. But, on the other hand, don’t think you’ll be able to write sitting on the sofa next to family members whilst they watch Eastenders or The Price is Right (or whatever’s on the telly these days). You’ll need a space for a notepad, a tablet, or a laptop. And some way of ‘cutting yourself off’ – a door to the box room, or headphones to cut out extraneous sounds and interferences. Don’t worry – those around you will soon get used to your ‘special half hour’. Don’t demand more than that. It will create friction (instead of fiction, geddit?) and you’ll come under pressure to “stop messing around with that writing thing.”

Personally, I’ve found a spare bedroom and a pair of over-the-ear headphones works wonders. Or a dining table. Or maybe sit with the kids whilst they do their homework?

If you’re seriously struggling, time-wise, why not try setting the alarm half an hour early? Your house should be very quiet (tiny children notwithstanding) and your sleep partner will appreciate waking up to a fresh cup of tea!

But it’s all about carving out time and space, for something like half an hour initially. Don’t be too greedy. Just half an hour – for you, and your writing, exclusively.

So, in conclusion: do you think you’d be able to find time to write a page of a paperback during a day? Doesn’t sound too difficult, does it? Well… if you’d started that a year ago, you’d have written a complete novel by now! Something to think about. Start today!