December 6, 2013<\/p>\n
5 Tips for Finding Time to Write<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n
Finding time to do anything these days can be difficult.\u00a0 There are so many demands on our time from family, work and friends – how do we ever find time for ourselves to do what we want?\u00a0 Sometimes there just doesn\u2019t seem to be enough hours (or minutes) in a day to accomplish everything that needs to be done, let alone add something else to the mix.<\/p>\n
I can only tell you what worked for me.\u00a0 Everyone writes differently; take from the list below whatever will work for you and your lifestyle.<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0 Make Time<\/b><\/p>\n
If writing is important to you, then you will make the time.\u00a0 You probably write down all of your appointments on a calendar – so schedule yourself some writing time.\u00a0 Maybe you get up a half hour earlier or you spend your lunch hour writing.\u00a0 When I first started writing, I did both of these things.\u00a0 You need to make this time a \u2018habit\u2019 or part of your daily \u2018routine\u2019 – something you do every day or at least three times a week.\u00a0 Keep to the schedule and soon you\u2019ll find making time comes easier.\u00a0 Perhaps getting up earlier isn\u2019t for you, so maybe you can find the time write later in the evening.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0 Make a Writing Space<\/b><\/p>\n
It is hard to write when you don\u2019t have a desk or a space to write.\u00a0 I started off using the kitchen table.\u00a0 I bought some used banker boxes and labelled them \u2018Writing\u2019 and \u2018Research\u2019.\u00a0 For a couple of years this was my space.\u00a0 If you own a laptop or computer, you probably already have a desk – but it doesn\u2019t really matter.\u00a0 Maybe sitting at a corner of your kitchen or dining room table will work.\u00a0 The most important thing about making a place to practice your writing ritual is as soon as you sit down, you are in your writing space – wonderful things happen here – you can let your imagination soar.\u00a0 Oh, and those two banker boxes of mine have now grown to several filing cabinets full of articles, research information and writing material (and I now have a small room for my office).<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0 Don\u2019t Waste Your Time<\/b><\/p>\n
We already know that life is hectic, but sometimes we waste time.\u00a0 It could be playing a game on the computer or spending too much time watching television or keeping up with social media.\u00a0 You can tell yourself this is your \u2018relaxing\u2019 or \u2018downtime\u2019, but you could also use some of this time to write.\u00a0 We all need to relax and recoup, so I\u2019m not saying to cut out all of those activities, but maybe you could use a portion of this time to write instead.<\/p>\n
4.\u00a0 Carry Your Writing with You<\/b><\/p>\n
Whether you are a man or woman reading this, it is easy to tuck a small notebook in your handbag, briefcase or just keep it in the car with you.\u00a0 I started carrying around a small notebook so that I could write down ideas when inspiration struck – with my busy schedule I was bound to forget things – this was an easy way to get those ideas down.\u00a0 If you take your car to be serviced and have to wait, this is a golden opportunity to write!\u00a0 Same goes for the dentist or doctor appointments, or taking children to various activities – always carry a notebook.<\/p>\n
5.\u00a0 Learn to Say \u2018No\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n
If writing is important to you, then you need to learn the art of \u2018saying no\u2019 to people who want to encroach on your writing time.\u00a0 Now that you have a set routine for your writing (see #1 above), make sure your family and friends know that you have an \u2018appointment\u2019 and can\u2019t be at their beck and call during this time.\u00a0 Your sister wants to go shopping, your friends call and want to chat – learn to tactfully say no.\u00a0 Soon they will get the message.\u00a0 One of the hardest things about being a writer and working from home is that people don\u2019t think you do anything.\u00a0 Writing is hard work, ideas need inspiration and inspiration usually doesn\u2019t happen if you are on the phone chatting with your best friend.\u00a0 Once you have an idea, there is research, more research and then writing.\u00a0 Learning to say \u2018no\u2019 early on in your writing career will make your writing life a lot easier further down the road.<\/p>\n
Getting Results<\/b><\/p>\n
I was lucky enough to have access to the local library during my lunch time for several years and I often worked there researching, reading or writing.\u00a0 When my youngest had to be at swimming practice, I took along my writing; I wrote at every opportunity.\u00a0 Yes, it was hard, but it paid off.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been writing for almost 25 years – some of it part time as I built up my portfolio – but I have been working as a full time writer (either freelancing or under contract) for the past 10 years.\u00a0 I have two books published (Shipwrecks Off the East Coast<\/i> and New Brunswick: Facts, Firsts & Innovations<\/i>) and have co-authored two more (Scenic St. Martins: Jewel of the Bay of Fundy and A Pictorial Walk Through Historic Saint John<\/i>) with Ethel King during this time.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work\u201d<\/i> – Stephen King<\/p>\n
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November 20, 2013<\/p>\n
Paper and Ink Publishing vs eBooks<\/strong><\/p>\n As one of my colleagues pointed out several years ago \u201cThere will always be a place for paper-and-ink publishing\u201d. But times and technology are changing.<\/p>\n I remember getting my first library card. I was six years old and my grandmother discovering I was reading way beyond my grade one level took me to the library to get what she called, “a magic card”.\u00a0 With this “magic card” I could travel and learn new things without ever leaving home.\u00a0 Boy was she right!\u00a0 I devoured books and being able to ONLY select six books a trip was hard until Gram pointed out that every time I returned six books, I could have six more.\u00a0 What a wonderful gift to receive, the gift of books.<\/p>\n I imagine that by the time my grandson is in school, libraries will still exist, but checking out eBooks and eBook Readers or whatever technology awaits down the road with be more common place than actually checking out a physical book.<\/p>\n I purchased my first eBook Reader this past year, but I don’t love it the way I love books. I still like the smell of the ink and being able to hold a book \u2013 but I must say that having the ability to take five or six books, or as many as I want on vacation by loading them on the eBook Reader instead of in my suitcase is a great convenience.<\/p>\n