Zen Writing: Finding the Time

Image by Ravages via FlickrI'd like to think that my absence for the past 11 days has been due to me attempting to prove a point, but alas, not so. I have been engaged in other ventures, building a business, writing as a freelancer for other sites, along with my day to day job and family. All of which brings me to a point, whether planned or not, finding time to write is key for good writing.

Time of Day

The key to finding the time lies on two factors, the first being when you physically have the time to sit down, reflect, and express, and the second being dependent on when your ideas are most fresh. These factors can greatly assist or hinder the writing process depending on how you function.

For example, I find that I can write more in the evening as opposed to the morning. I've tried writing early mornings and I've struggled more than I'd like. Waking up is hard, I have exercise time, and then squeezing in writing while my blood is fiercely pumping is definitely not a good ideas. Writing in the afternoon is hard for me because of my job, but the evening when the kids are down and my wife is in class seems to be the best time. I've been through an entire day of observations, understandings, and idea absorption that I find it easier to filter all that in the evening and see the direct effect in my writing.

It is important for any writer to carve out that niche of time where they function best. Plan around it, create your space, and let your words flow. By establishing this habit, you then find that you can't go through a day without it. Much like an exercise plan, it must become habitual if you plan to follow through with hit for any amount of time. Turn off phones, chat programs, don't answer the door, and quietly let your ideas begin to mesh until you've gotten exactly what you want in front of you.

Squeezing Time You Don't Have

So what happens if you absolutely can't get the time in? I've been asked that a lot, and as you can see from the previous 11 days, I came across that same situation. The guidance I will give should have been something I should have heeded too, but here ya go!

For starters if you know ahead of time you're going to be pressed for time, or not be by a computer, you could either type up a few extra posts and leave someone you trust in charge of posting them, or you could line up a guest writer or several writers to post while you are away.

Ultimately you could also post up a "gone fishin" sign on your site to let people know when you will return. I've also seen others connecting their Jott account to their blog and then phoning in a quick word or two of what is going on. It helps if the "gone fishin'" thing does not work out.

The one thing you never want to do is force yourself to write. You do that, and you lose readers. You lose their interest because you're writing becomes uninteresting, random, and unstructured.

I'd like to hear what time of day works best for you? What techniques do you use to create time for yourself, and how do you explain to others when you tell them you've got writing time?