I’m becoming picky with my time. With this new year, I decided to focus 90% of my time on my writing. Last summer, with the release of Shades of the Future, and all the ensuing marketing and publicity, I spent so much time supporting my writing that I didn’t get any writing on my new novel done. I realized I had an issue with finding time for writing.
Thankfully, I have wise and patient writing friends, many of whom advised me on how to overcome the “time for writing” issue.
“Forget everything else and just write,” one friend told me.
“Writing more books will create the following you want, not blogging,” another friend said.
“Writing is what you do. Do it first, do it now, do it always.”
They’re totally right. I’m taking their advice. I’ve spent the last two months paring down my list of “things I do besides writing.” I’ve cut my blog posts to one a week. I’ve reduced my RSS feed to the most essential ones that fuel my creative writing. I’ve cut back on my nonfiction writing assignments.
It feels fabulous. My time is precious, and I know yours is too. When we only have an hour or two a day to spend writing, taking care of social media, and keeping in touch with our writing partners, cutting back on other tasks is freeing.
It feels good.
How about you? Are you simplifying this year or doing more?
As you’ve noticed, I’ve had to do the same thing. Just TOO much going on and much of it not helping me meet my top priorities – to write! lol! Hope to see more about your newest manuscript here soon.
Hi Bridgette,
Thanks for stopping by! It seems to be a more common refrain around the web these days. I hope you’re getting a ton of writing done!
Suzanne