One thing I noticed when I started telling folks that I wrote my first book was how many people have that same goal or dream. I heard quite a few responses of, “I started to write a book…” or “I have the best idea for a book, I just need to get started.” And more often than not I was asked where I found the time to complete the project.
For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to write a novel. I was “that” kid in math class, daydreaming as I “wrote out” my story in my mind. The amount of math instruction I missed explains why decimals stump me to this day! In high school, I joined the newspaper and while I was not writing fiction, I was still immersed in the craft that I loved.
In college, practicality took over. I didn’t think I would ever be able to make a career out of writing, so I went into the field of education. I loved teaching and between work, getting my masters, and starting a family, writing fell to the wayside.
Eventually I became a stay at home mom, and while I felt blessed and honored to be raising my kids full-time, a part of me was missing. And I knew what it was. And it scared the bejesus out of me. The time had come to go back to writing. But, as all my family and friends asked, was it really the right time? Wouldn’t it be easier when the kids were older? For me, the answer was no. There would never be a right time. It was just time to write.
I think the hardest part of finding the time to write is actually doing it. Starting. Typing that outline, those notes, or just “pantsing” it and diving into chapter one. I promised myself one thing. That I would complete my goal. I wanted to write The End. I would NOT give up.
At first, I wrote each day during my son’s naptime. Then, I found I needed more time and I began writing after the kids went to bed. After self-publishing my first book, Not Yet, I now have to plan for time to market that book in addition to writing my next book.
Every day, finding that time and finding that balance is a challenge. But, the first step is to start. Just do it. Jump into your story. You will never regret taking a shot at writing your first book. The write time is now.
I think the hardest part of finding the time to write is actually doing it. Starting. Typing that outline, those notes, or just “pantsing” it and diving into chapter one. I promised myself one thing. That I would complete my goal. I wanted to write The End. I would NOT give up.
At first, I wrote each day during my son’s naptime. Then, I found I needed more time and I began writing after the kids went to bed. After self-publishing my first book, Not Yet, I now have to plan for time to market that book in addition to writing my next book.
Every day, finding that time and finding that balance is a challenge. But, the first step is to start. Just do it. Jump into your story. You will never regret taking a shot at writing your first book. The write time is now.
