Staking out Time

By Heather Shumaker

Night or day --- there's always time if you can find it

I used to wonder why I couldn't write fiction in the evenings.  I had free time, the house was peaceful, the kids were in bed.  For years I berated myself: I call myself a writer and yet I'm not using the evening to write.  Why not?

It took me years to realize that I was tired in the evenings.  My brain had simply run out of oomph.  Morning has always been my best time, so instead of staying up just for the sake of it, I started going to bed an hour earlier.  That simple act eliminated dead time and magically offered me an extra hour of highly productive time early in the day.  Setting my alarm for "early" worked!

Some people are weekend novelists.  Some write books during lunch hours.  Others are night owls or squeeze in productive writing time while children nap.  The most important thing is to claim your time, and shift around until it works.

What's your best time for staking out time for writing?  Weekend novelist?  Nap writer?  Lunch hour writer?  Night owl or early bird?  Or are you still searching for your time?

8 responses to “Staking out Time”

  1. "The most important thing is to claim your time, and shift around until it works."

    yes, Yes, YES!

    I'm an ALL or NOTHING writer. I have three possible days in a week when I can write: Sunday, Monday, and Thursday. In advance (pre-planning) I pick one or all of them and then ONLY write. I sit for 6-8 hours at a time and simply let it flow.

    • Heather Shumaker says:

      Great discipline! Love your approach to all or nothing, Laurie. Other writers - take heed.

  2. I'm a Mon-Fri. long lunch hour writer. Usually from around 10-2. For some reason I can't bring myself to do any writing on weekends. Ocassionally I'll get an idea and write some in the evening, but midday seems to work fairly well so far.

    I also have to write outside of my house--usually at a coffee shop or the library--because there are too many distractions at home (self-made, unfortunately)--and making the trip downtown and buying a cup of coffee commits me to actually writing, not goofing around. It's almost as if I'm paying a certain small price for the privilege of writing, so I make it worth the expense to write. Oh well, it works for me. 🙂

    Chris

    • Heather Shumaker says:

      Oh, a lunch hour writer. My hat's off to you! Glad you found your time and space. I know lots of people share your views on coffee shop writing. Paying to write is a GREAT motivator!

  3. You're so right, Heather! I'm actually writing all the time, preparing for lectures, etc., but now my trick is to find the time to write fiction. It's strange to have to set aside time from writing (for my day job), so I can write (for fun). But I would say, don't completely rule out the possibility that sometimes being tired allows you to turn off the pre-editing function of your brain and get some pretty creative stuff. Once in a while, everyone should change it up, step outside the writing comfort zone and see what happens! - JP

    • Heather Shumaker says:

      Good point, Jim. Shaking things up can produce some interesting work - so maybe writing while tired has its good side, too! Best of luck making room for your fiction writing.

  4. Vicki says:

    I'm a playwright and mother of a toddler. I write when I can at this point. I know my writing would improve with daily and/or habitual practice, but it is what it is for now. The upside is that when I do have free time and creative energy at the same time, writing feels like such a treat!

    I found your blog through Mark Rigney (I am a former student of Diane's). I'm eager to read your parenting book! I love and abide by the title!

  5. Heather Shumaker says:

    Glad you found the Starlighting Mama blog, Vicki! You fit right in. Ah, yes, writing and toddlers - a challenging mix. Enjoy the treat times you have to write. I think parents with young kids make some of the BEST writers because they are some of the most motivated writers. No endless time stretching out before you. Young kids take lots of our time, but they also give us the gift of motivation - making every minute count. I'll let you know more about the parenting book when it comes out!

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