Finding Time to Write

In May I've been asked to be on a panel about this subject. I know exactly why I was chosen. I'm a busy person, but I always find time to write. The other person on the panel is also busy, though doing much different things than I do. We should have fun with this.

As I wrote in a previous post, writers write.

Though I don't always write new material--I have a Deputy Tempe Crabtree waiting for me--believe me, I write something every day.

So far today, at 7:01, I've posted on Facebook, answered emails, and I'm writing this post. I'm also doing laundry. (I love being able to do two things at once.)

Anyone who follows this blog or my posts on Facebook know that I've been busy re-editing my Rocky Bluff P.D. mystery series for release with a new publisher. That has taken up much of my writing time. 

I've always been busy. The first book I wrote that got published, I wrote at the kitchen table while babysitting three of my grandkids who were toddlers. Yes, I wrote in spurts, but I managed to get the book finished and took good care of the kids. (I did housework after they were gone each evening and the one who lived with me at the time was tucked safely in bed for the night.)

My most productive writing time was when I was the busiest when my home was a licensed residential care facility and I took care of  six developmentally disabled women. They went off to work or school at 6 a.m. and I got busy. I did laundry (an every day chore) and wrote. I had plenty of other things to do too, paperwork, etc. I did hire someone to do housework. After lunch, my writing was done and I went on to other things like cooking dinner for everyone which included my husband and various grandchildren who lived with us, and often a guest or two. And evenings and weekends were devoted to the women in my care. We did a lot of fun things, movies, bowling, church activities, big trips to various places and so much more. 

Later on I added even more jobs--teaching CEU classes to other providers. There was a lot more to it than that, but I still managed to squeeze in writing. 

Remember, writers write. 

So if you really want to write, you'll find time to do it, even if it means getting up early or writing after every one has gone to bed. 

Marilyn