5 Simple Tips for Squeezing Writing Into Your Everyday Life

how to, writing, time management, mindset, goals, schedule

There are a thousand things that fill up a day. Some are wonderful, like time with family and friends. Some activities aren't so fun, like paying bills or doing the laundry. In the midst of so much to do, how do you find time to write? Below, I offer 5 simple tips for squeezing writing into your everyday life. Give them a try. In time, you will find yourself with a completed manuscript or a pile of blog posts and a little closer to whatever writing goal you want to achieve.

1. Write something everyday. It may not seem like much, but over time a little turns into a lot and one day you will have a finished first draft.

2. Don't wait for inspiration to strike. It's too unpredictable. When it does strike use it, but for all the times it doesn't, write anyway. Writing is the best way to create inspiration.

3. Make writing a priority. If you don't, no one else will.

4. In order to make writing a priority, you may have to sacrifice other things to the writing gods, like a spotless house or perfectly prepared dinners. Save the housework for when you are really stuck on a plot point and need to step away from the story and let it percolate in your subconscious.

5. Speaking of perfectly prepared, don't strive for perfection, strive for words on the paper. First drafts are rarely pretty, don't expect yours to be any different, just expect it to be done. You can always edit later, but that is another post for another time.

If you enjoyed these tips, check out my books. I used a lot of these tips to get my books written www.Georgie-Lee.com

22 comments:

B is 4 said...

Hi, saw your link at Creative Mondays, great tips for writing! There's days when I really don't want to write because I feel burned out but I know I need to, like you said, no one else will do it! The more you write, the more you do improve. Have a great day. :)

Georgie Lee said...

I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Yes, some days writing is more difficult than others, but sticking with it is important. Have a great week!

Just A Touch Of Crazy said...

These are some great tips. I sometimes wish I had a computer in my head though that could jot down my thoughts throughout the day. I feel like I get my best ideas and words flowing in my head when I'm doing the dishes or taking a shower. By the time I have time to sit down and write I've forgotten it all.

Jill said...

That's funny! My spotless house and perfectly prepared meals were sacrificed long ago (if they ever existed in the first place). :-)

Bobbi @ 3GLOL said...

I'm game ;) Great tips!

Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Great tips!! All are so useful when you want to actually complete something. Words on a page is the point not perfection... I love that!

Unknown said...

Excellent tips! #2 is definitely true for me. Sometimes I get so caught up in the business/back-end of writing/blogging that I don't "feel" very creative. But just sitting down at the keyboard will usually get those creative juices flowing!

Thanks for linking up with us at Coffee and Conversation this week!

GwenLittle said...

Thanks for the tips. I need to learn to write whether I feel it or not. Sometimes its just about forcing your self to stop and sit down in front of the screen. Thanks again!

Christina Morley said...

Hi Georgie Lee! I saw your link on Coffee and Conversations. It's been a while since I last visited your blog. This is a helpful list for writers and I agree wholeheartedly with the second half of #4, because it's been true in my own life.
My latest post: Guest Post by NanaHood
http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2014/09/guest-post-from-nanahood.html

Jan Hatchett said...

Just stopped by from the So Much At Home Link up and I am glad I did. It was almost as if you had written this post just for me. Lately, finding time for writing has been a bit of a struggle.

Thanks for the reminder to prioritize!

Tina at Mommynificent.com said...

I needed to read these today. I've gotten into the bad habit of waiting either for inspiration or a deadline and I'm not writing nearly as much or as well as I should be! Thanks so much for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday! Hope to see you again next week.
Tina

Creative K Kids said...

Love these tips! I'm so sorry I'm pinning so late. We had a co-host that had to drop out, and I'm finally getting to her links! Pinning from the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party!

Tanya @ Moms Small Victories said...

So glad you shared this with our #ThrowbackThursdaylinkup. It was one of my goals to write 30 minutes everyday on my blog. This month I have been doing NaBloPoMo and posting everyday requires lots of writing and I have really been enjoying it. I am most surprised to find that I am not running out of ideas to write about, it is just cultivating more ideas and I can't write fadt enough. Thanks for sharing and hope you link up with my Small Victories Sunday linky open all week.

Heather said...

Thanks for sharing on last week's #throwbackthursdaylinkup I have chosen your post to feature on this week's linkup which we are launching early (tonight at 8pm ET) due to the holiday!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing with us at the #HomeMattersParty this week. We hope you will link up again next Friday.
~Bonnie

Claudia H. Blanton said...

glad you shared these tips! Making writing a priority is so essential, blessings!

Karen Del Tatto said...

Thanks for these tips! I tend to wait for inspiration and have a set "writing day". I seem to get in a groove and my mind starts racing with thoughts to record when I'm in this mode. It does seem to work for me. However, I would definitely be willing to try writing something each day. It definitely makes sense.

I agree about the rough drafts. I usually am just writing, writing and then do the proofread the following day.

Thanks again for your insights! Much appreciated!

Mary Hill said...

I like the part about housework. I will definitely sacrifice it to the better writing good. Thanks for sharing on Literacy Musing Mondays.

Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond said...

Yes I don't mind leaving the housework! Sometimes though I get so engrossed in writing that I forget that I have a life. Thanks for some great tips. #FTAF

gail akeman said...

writing is important no how little you do each day. One of my blogs is mainly my writing everyday thoughts

Ashley Tukiainen said...

Great tips! This is something I currently struggle with, having a baby on the way and trying to get it all done, my blog posting frequency has DEFINITELY taken a hit. Thanks for joining us at From The Archives Friday!!

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

Thank you for the tips. Writing daily helps keep the pump primed.

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