Writing Resources - Rachelle J. Christensen

Writing Tips by Rachelle

I am a writer. I am also a mother, wife, daughter, gardener, piano teacher, chicken keeper, bread-maker–you get the idea. People often ask me, “How do you find time to write?” I imagine that every writer, no matter how young or old is asked this same question. The answer is within the question itself-finding time. If something is important to you, you find the time, you make the time, you PRIORITIZE. You should also be efficient with your time. It’s no good writing an award-winning novel or magazine if you don’t have time to get it published. Nobody will ever see your work. Publishing is a long process and it can be hard to even get your work published if you’re just starting out. Consider investing in your own binding equipment similar to these Duplo Booklet Makers. That way, you can bind your own work and distribute the finished piece yourself. Sure, that takes time, but it’s more convenient and is faster than waiting for a publisher.

Writing is important to me, but it took some doing for me to figure out the best way to work with a young family. As a new writer, I read in several places from esteemed authors that you shouldn’t write unless you had a two-hour block to work because it takes time to get back into the writing mode, etc, etc.

Unfortunately for me, I believed that advice for at least six months. Every time I would think about writing, I would think that I didn’t have enough time and I probably should get more housework done or do something else on my ‘To do’ list. Then I had an “Aha” moment when I realized that as a stay-at-home mom of young children, I probably would never have a two-hour block of uninterrupted time.

And so I began writing in snatches. Ten minutes here, twenty minutes there, and sometimes during nap time I would get a full hour of writing in! In between caring for newborn babies and chasing after toddlers, I would be thinking about my novel in progress. Sometimes while rocking a baby in the middle of the night, an idea would strike me and I would scribble down a few notes. Now, I try to keep my Word document open during the day so if I get a great idea for a scene, I can hurry and type it out.

So, how do I find time to write? I write in snatches during the day and then I don’t watch much TV so I have time to write when the kids go to bed. Writing is a priority to me and I have a wonderful family who knows how important it is for me to write. Let those around you know what your priorities are. Tell them about your dreams and goals and then ask for their support. Listen to advice on writing, but form your own “rules” for the writing method as you figure out when your most creative times occur and how to tap into your inner writer.

I found a method that works for me and I wish you the best of luck in finding your own writing method so you can crank out those pages. Happy Writing!

Visit Rachelle’s For Writers Page to find more resources HERE

Follow Rachelle:

Writing Tips by Rachelle:

Did you know that when asked an estimated 75% of people will say that they want to write a book? *I don’t have actual data, I’m going by what I’ve heard, but I’ve also noticed that you can very easily track your own data as an author because it does seem like 3 out of 4 people like the idea of writing a book.

But 75% of people aren’t writing books, are they? Probably not. There are probably a good number of people who are closet writers that we don’t know about, those who say they want to write, but aren’t able to produce a measurable word count, and those who are actively pursuing their dream.

And I think it’s wonderful that there are so many different types of writers!

It’s wonderful to want to write a book, but this sequence of posts are for those people who REALLY want to write a book. It’s for those people who aren’t content to just think about writing, they are willing to get down in the depths of that bottomless pit of writing knowledge–that black hole of possibilities in which you can change one word, turn around a sentence, and find the heart of your writing.

So, if so many people want to write a book….

What stops people from writing?

I could just answer that with—Life in general. But to be more specific, I’ll mention a few roadblocks that have tried to deter me on my path to becoming a published author, as well as some popular roadblocks that have planted themselves in front of others.

Stress

Lack of clear, defined goals

Lack of knowledge/understanding of the mechanics of writing

Television

Lack of motivation

Yardwork

Laundry

Empty bellies that need filled

Dishes

Wiping noses and changing diapers

Okay, okay, serious again… here’s the biggie

Time Management

Now I know there may be another realm of the universe where inhabitants have more than 24 hours in a day, but here on earth, where I reside we all have 24 hours each and every day.

So how come I hear this phrase from so many people? “I’d love to write a book, but I just don’t have the time.”

*cough* cough* I don’t live in a time warp–I only get 24 hours each day.

Let me emphasize that I think it’s wonderful to have a desire to write, I’m not looking down on anyone for having that desire and facing difficulties in making the desire an action.

But if you’re serious about writing and you actually are going to do more than just want to write a book–namely you’re going to do whatever it takes to make your dream a reality–here’s my first tip:

Ditch the “I don’t have time” excuse and stay tuned because in an upcoming post I’ll be sharing 6 Tips for Writing Success.

What do you think?

Do you want to write a book?

What questions do you have about writing and making writing a part of your life?

Visit Rachelle’s For Writers Page to find more resources HERE

Follow Rachelle:

Balancing Writing and Family

Writing Tips by Rachelle

Do You Want to Write a Book?

Writing Tips by Rachelle:

Privacy Policy

FTC Disclosure