Adulting often means putting your responsibilities ahead of your desires. That might mean showing up at your job every day and being a productive part of your team, when you’d rather be writing. What happens, though, if you have a book burning inside you and want to get it down on paper? Adulting also means finding or making time to pursue your passions. Yes, it is possible to write your book without quitting your day job to become a full-time writer.
Try writing at different times to identify when you feel most inspired to write. Early mornings may work for some while burning the midnight oil might work for others. Both times work for me. The key is to choose the time that works for YOU. Set some deadlines that get you to The End. Challenge yourself to write a page a day, a chapter a week or whatever timeline works with your lifestyle. Imagine if you wrote a chapter a week. You could very well stop watching the success of others and have your own masterpiece.
Self-imposed deadlines are good but, asking a trusted friend or fellow writer to check in periodically also keeps you accountable and encouraged. I’m always here if you need. But in the meantime, cut yourself some slack. Work or family obligations may deter your writing for a day or two. Life gets in everyone’s way. The trick is to get back on track as quickly as possible and not to allow a minor setback to become a major stumbling block.
Remember the old school credit card tagline – Never Leave Home Without It? Choose a notebook or moleskin specifically for jotting down thoughts, ideas, even whole scenarios of your book. Take it with you everywhere, because you never know when inspiration might strike. My inspiration always seems to strike in the middle of the night. So, for me, I must leave a pad on my nightstand. A small journal in your purse or briefcase is a much more reliable method of recording those ideas than your memory. Trust me. I know. Some people are not big on writing anymore. I am. You may be the type who puts everything in the notes in your cell phone. For me, writing down things and crossing them out in red ink works for me. It has for years.
The real key to writing around your 9-5 job is to make writing a priority. That might mean saying no to a Girls’ Night Out or skipping the latest release at your local movie theater.
Put these writing and time management ideals to use and bring your writing dreams back into reach. Guess what? I STILL work a 9-5. WHY? Because I LOVE checks! But I’ve also mastered a way to balance it all. If you need my help to reach your writing goals, email me at CrystalClearPublications@gmail.com. Or, you can text, I’M READY to (443) 826-9646.
Also, check out the PREMIUM course at Creative Writer’s University!
Cheering for your writing success always!
Crystal