The Write Time

I couldn't make time to write, so I stole it. Firstly from evening TV watching time, then social media time, then time lost due to an end-of-day drink dulling my energy. It's been seven years of writing my middle-grade trilogy that has brought me almost to the point of seeking publication, and if I hadn't stolen time, I'd still be at least seven years away.

I became adept at using even five minute slots to do a quick page edit, or think up a name for something, or just mull over a plot point. Now, more than ever, I don't like wasting time! Writing taught me how much you can squeeze into idle moments, and what is possible when you put your mind to it.

Life Can Be Just Too Busy

Although time can be stolen, it has to be taken from somewhere with wriggle-room. I began writing when my youngest child was a baby, and I struggled to steal any writing time from anywhere. My life was too packed, and I was too tired. It wasn't until my son was sleeping through the night (at 2 1/2 years of age), that my desperation to write, propelled me to steal time at the cost of sleep, entertainment, socialising (sorry, friends!), nagging housework, and the luxury of doing nothing.

Leeway in Healthy Habits

As I got more wrapped up in my story-writing, I even found myself at times, saying no to my kids when they invited me for a game of basketball, or tennis hits, or bike riding, or whatever else they were doing. I felt guilty, but sometimes I claimed that time for myself to write. Exercise as well, unfortunately lessened. Walking works well for me, not only for physical exercise, but for mental wellbeing, and sparking imagination — especially when walking in nature.

Guilt

It seems to be unavoidable. Self-worth and non-selfishness can get blurry. I try to remember that, and manage it as best I can.

#findingtimetowrite