Do you want to work from home? Do you have a book inside you, or a blog post that's dying to break free?
I know I did, and still do. But most people think they're too busy to find the time to write, or read especially if they work full time. I know what you must be thinking. Not only do I work full time and so does my significant other, but I also have a child or two or five.
You think there's no possible way you could make it work, could find the time do pour your heart out into something that, let's face it, most people give you a funny look, like you're not being serious when you tell them what you're doing.
You pour your heart into your job, maybe...on top of running your household and taking care of you children, but I'm her to tell you that you can do it. It is completely possible.
But it's not easy. I'm not here to tell you a few tips or tricks and overnight you'll have accomplished everything you wanted. No. You have to work hard, put forth effort. But if this is something you want to do, you feel like your heart hurts if you can't, then read on my friend.
You Must Set Aside Time
This part might seem the most daunting of all. When I first started in my writing, I found it difficult to find time, especially after a long day at work, picking up the kids at daycare and then cooking dinner. I was exhausted to say the least.
But this writing, if it's a passion, you feel it deep inside, you have to find a way to make it work.
Start Small
Think about how much time you can devote. Maybe you need to give up an episode of a show, which is about 45 minutes, save it for the weekend when you have more time. Or maybe you have the ability to wake up 30 minutes earlier in the mornings or you're a night own and can stay awake for some time longer at night.
Carve out the time. Tell yourself you're going to set aside those 30 minutes in the morning. Set your alarm, wake up and get to writing.
Set a small writing goal, say 300 words to start out. When you find you can get those words completed in less time than you've allotted for writing, up your game. Go for 500 words, 700, etc.
You Need to Believe in Yourself
If you don't believe in yourself, others will notice and doubt your abilities as well.
Who will believe in you if you don't. Granted there's our built in believers like our spouse or family, but even then if you can't make the leap to believe in yourself, why should they?
I know most people get strange looks when they say "Hey I'm a writer, or author." People immediately want to know what you've published and how many copies you've sold, etc.
But what's important here. If you've set out to
write because you love it, because it's your passion and you can't imagine not doing this for as long as the foreseable future, then it doesn't matter what other people say.
it doesn't matter if you've sold a million copies or are just starting out and have only sold a few, or none. But what's important, is that you started something, something that most people only dream about and then you did something they didn't, FINISHED IT!
Always Have Something to Write On Within Reach
Like most people, you're busy. You're running around, picking up kids from school, grocery shopping, errands, house cleaning. I mean, the list could go on and on.
But what happens when an idea pops into your head and it might be while you're standing in line at the store, people watching and noticing how the old woman in line in front, taking her sweet time, somehow reminds you of an old witch from a story you read from childhood.
You've now got the perfect idea for the villain in your story, or maybe a side villain, but what will you write it on.
Personally, I use Google docs.
It's free, and portable. Don't most people have their phones with them most times throughout the day? I certainly do and I have to say that just today, while my husband drove us to the in-laws, I wrote about 700 words on my new novel I'm working on, on my iPhone 7plus. And I did it all on my google doc app. (No affiliate promotion here, I genuinely like the portability).
If that's not for you, you can use a small cheap spiral bound notebook, like one of those tiny ones, the size of a card, a 3 X 5. Or if you prefer, something nice and fancy, try searching for some journals on Amazon.
I like the ones C. J. Miranda used on her site. They're sleek and simple but well priced. Check it out here.
Make the Most of the Dull Moments in Life
In line with what I was saying earlier, the most boring things in life, like standing in line at the grocery store have the possibility to give you the greatest ideas for your stories, or blogs.
Because we have so many times like this in our lives, as a writer, you should take full advantage of them. Take note of what you see, what you smell, the facial features and how you might describe them as if they were your character in your novel.
If you stop and think, there are too many times like these in our lives, like standing in line for groceries, shopping mall lines, or even in traffic on your daily commute to work. Maybe take voice notes or jot down a quick note on your phone or journal.
Whatever springs to mind, whether it just be a word, like ephemeral, for instance. (Means lasting for a very short time). Think about it while you stand in line. Think about how you would create a world around that world, with the way people are acting around you.
How everyone would react and how you would describe it and show it in your book if per say the world was ending while you stood in line at the grocery store.
It makes for a more interesting time for sure! But maybe try keeping the laughter at whatever you think up to yourself.
So, there you have it. If this is something you really want to do with your life, then you have to make the time, notice things and observe, and keep something with you at all times to jot down notes or inspiration.
Now it's time to hear from you. What tips or tricks have you used to help you write while working?
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